5 Minutes With David And Nicolas

David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussallem, the duo behind the David/Nicolas design house, established their brand in 2011.

Their innovative approach, together with their unique way of blending retro, contemporary and futuristic elements, translates into a wide range of projects, from furniture design to high-end bespoke interiors.

Photo – Sandra Chidiac

How did the brand start?

We first became friends and started helping each other out for our studies. I used to take David’s drawings during drawing classes and just scan and retrace them! We knew we were going to end up opening our own practice and we were already collaborating on our final project. We believe our friendship led us to take that chance and support each other.

Photo – Emanuele Tortora

What is an essential marker of a David/Nicolas product?

Whether it is an object or a space, we always have the same approach; we like to use many different materials in what we do. Mixing different materials creates junctions and space to innovate. What matters most is the energy the pieces or spaces generate and perhaps that is the one common thing in our work.

Do any of the designs have local influences?

Oriental culture is our culture; it’s what we grew up with. How we integrate it in our work might seem confusing, but it is very clear to us. Some would argue that what we do does not look oriental. We believe that it takes more than a look to achieve the exceptionally beautiful idea that is oriental. It is a feeling, an energy we communicate in our work; it is not limited to pure aesthetics – that would be too dull. We are still learning a lot from our culture, learning how we fit in it in our own way and we believe that if someone follows our work closely they can definitely understand what we are trying to say.

Tell us about the “Constellation” series.

The “Constellation” series finds inspiration in the new life of a star and the explosion phenomenon. These pieces revolve around the relativity of perception and how such a phenomenon can be interpreted into tangible matter. Low tables rendered in travertine feature clean lines and undisturbed surfaces that are understood to represent the new beginnings of a celestial body.

What are you working on next?

We are part of the “Life in Vogue” exhibition in which we are reimagining the office of the editor-in-chief Emanuele Farneti. In Beirut, we are currently working on the first vintage watch store owned by the official dealers of Rolex in Lebanon.

davidandnicolas.com, Facebook Page, Instagram Page