KHAMSA chats to the visionary interior designer.
Born in North Lebanon in 1985 and raised in Beirut, Rony Gebrael (@ronygebrael on Instagram) developed a keen eye for design through extensive travels across Europe, the United States, and Australia. He graduated with honours from the Academie Libanaise des Beaux Arts (ALBA) in 2008, distinguishing himself by completing his degree in a record five years. Influenced by architects like Santiago Calatrava and Zaha Hadid, and designers such as Renzo Mongiardino, Rony’s work blends architectural rigour with eclectic flair.
In 2012, he founded Rony Gebrael Interior Architecture and Design S.A.R.L, focusing on crafting spaces that mirror the distinct personalities of his clients. His designs are known for their boldness and originality, spanning a range of high-profile projects in Beirut, Europe, and beyond. Rony is also a vibrant figure in Beirut’s art scene and a fervent art collector, believing strongly in the integration of art within living spaces.
KHAMSA sat down with Rony Gebrael and got a glimpse into the mind of a designer who sees the world not just as it is, but as it could be vibrant, dynamic, and deeply personalized.
١. Rony Gebrael, what inspired you to pursue a career in interior architecture? Were there any specific events or individuals that sparked your interest?
“I haven’t always known that I would end up being an interior architect. I have been fascinated by objects and forms since I was a little kid. I found myself leaning towards toys that needed to be formed, transformed, and built. I would build, tear down, then rebuild in a different way I saw as prettier or more inspiring. My creativity as a kid had to always interfere in any way. Transforming things, toys and spaces was of a big interest to me.”
– Rony Gebrael
٢. How would you describe your design style? Are there specific elements or principles that you always incorporate into your projects?
“I am a very polyvalent man in my nature, therefore my design style is adaptable to its beholder. I am a good listener and analyser of my client’s demands as well as every space I enter before starting the transformation process. But if I am to learn a design style, I (try to) relate to it. It would be contemporary, where I find beauty in enhancing a space’s features by emphasizing its structure in a minimal way so I can create a soul in it.”
“The purpose of a designer is to create soulful interiors that spark emotions. Therefore, one of the most researched elements I incorporate in my projects is art pieces. Art gives a unique identity to the space being designed. And when (sic) looking for a soul, art is the best mediator for that.”
– Rony Gebrael
٣. Can you walk us through your creative process when starting a new project? Where do you find inspiration?
“I really draw inspiration from anything and everything around me. It can be an object, an image, a piece of garment or even the client himself can inspire me….really anything.
“It starts with finding out what the space looks like, visiting it, sharing the energy it sparks, and checking its entourage and its impact. I then try to put together a drawing of what I would imagine it to be like, how I would want it to be, and how I would imagine my client living. Extensive drawings and mood boards, magazine cutouts, and material (are) examples (of) trying to form a unique and well-thought-out palette that can serve as a guideline and reference for the whole process to come.”
٤. How do you see the interior design trends evolving in the Middle East, and how do you incorporate these trends into your projects?
“The Middle East has made a huge leap forward concerning interior design and art. A lot of talents are emerging and setting the bar pretty high for any designer in the field. Combining foreign designs and applying their trends to our specific way of life is becoming very popular and trendy, and MEA interiors are starting to get their own feel and vibe. Traditions and way of living have to be taken into consideration, and there lies the biggest challenge while designing, but the biggest pleasure as well.
“Public interior spaces are on the rise now in the MEA, restaurants and bars and clubs and hotels are being designed with extreme talents and creativity drawing inspiration from everything around us in the region, as well as private residencies and houses are being driven to some worldwide design levels where they are hosting some of the most impressive art collections we can find in the world.”
٥. How has technology changed the field of interior architecture since you started your career? Are there any specific tools or innovations that have significantly impacted your work?
“Technology has certainly had its share of impact on all of the design industry, especially in the field of architecture and interior architecture. New tools and programs are being constantly created and evolving approaching virtual reality, setting the standards very high for any architectural firm in the market, keeping us busy to get on track and always update and improve our setups and offices.
“Due to this advancement, clients expectations are becoming very high, demanding hyperrealistic visuals and photos of their interior spaces even before starting any works, they can and must visualize every corner of their house before taking any decision forward.”
– Rony Gebrael
“The other factor that technology is impacting in the interior field is TIME. Designs are taking less and less time to be prepared with all the tools the technology market is presenting, hence the client’s patience is being put to the test.
“Another particular technology has impacted my designs and my works significantly – it is this 3D printing innovation and era where we get to print objects in actual real-life size out of a computer while creating them. It helps us improve details and designs and saves a lot of time. Creating my design furniture pieces and objects has become efficient and reliable, and I became more confident in proposing these designs to the client, which helps creating a more accurate and targeted identity to my interiors identifiable as Rony Gebrael interiors.”
٦. And finally, what one piece of advice would you give to aspiring interior architects or those who are just starting out in the field?
Put your designer’s ego aside and always listen to your client. It’s for them and only them that you are designing. You need to build a trust with your client, (for) only then will you be able to start creating, being playful, enjoying your designs tailor-made for them, and having your sole identity.
– Rony Gebrael
