39 Q1 2021 BUILD Bringing European Influenced Designs To The Middle East Using her European background to create a niche for her business in the United Arab Emirates, Germanborn interior designer Lydia Seltz talks about how she makes her company stand out from the crowd. legant modern living rooms designed with a touch of Scandinavian hygge, French flair or chic Swiss charm are all the rage far beyond Europe to the Americas and Middle East. Over in the United Arab Emirates, a large residential villa is in its final stages and has interiors inspired by those of French country homes. It’s the work of Lydia Seltz, whose work through her Abu Dhabi-based company Lydia Seltz Interior Design has become synonymous with European influences. Taking regular trips to the cobbled streets of Brussels and Paris, Lydia sources distinctive vintage items to bring the essence of one continent to another. Along with Europe, German-born Lydia can also be found browsing in Australia or Dubai, where she can arrange for specialist suppliers. “Nothing makes me happier than installing 100 year old pendants above my clients’ kitchen worktops that I bought on a Paris flea market or finding that perfect little chandelier for a client’s bathroom in Melbourne,” says Lydia enthusiastically. “It’s those truly unique pieces that come with their own story and make an interior special. “The UAE market is still rather new and small, so simply doesn’t have the resources that Europe, America or Australia has. It makes finding unique, vintage pieces or niche brands difficult. “That’s why I usually end up sourcing them internationally myself, which makes those trips to Paris, Brussels or Melbourne even more valuable for me.” Lydia works mainly on upscale residential projects but her extensive portfolio ranges from a large residential development in Dubai to a private school in Abu Dhabi. “My designs are often inspired by European periods or regions in the choice of colours, patterns and materials. I’m detail oriented and make sure that all aspects of an interior, whether it’s natural light, colours or finishes, work together. E “Growing up surrounded amongst historic European architecture makes it easy for me to relate and reinterpret these styles and build upon them to create modern interiors set in a Middle Eastern context. “At the beginning of a new project, my clients often show me images of European interiors they love. I create liveable and elegant interiors that work with their surroundings, which has become my signature for every project that I’ve worked on.” It’s not just these design ideas that get Lydia noticed but her style of communication and client relations, that are culturally different to the norm. “Since I don’t employ a team of designers, I communicate with my clients personally at every stage of the project,” adds Lydia. “Our communication and decision making is usually very direct and quick and that gives my clients the opportunity to be much more involved in the entire project. “It makes the end result a lot more personal for them and they feel they have taken a much more active role in the design of their new home. “I do think this extensive direct communication throughout a project is somewhat unique for the Middle East due to cultural differences and the way of life, but in the end, I want the client to love the result and be happy with what we’ve created.” Company: Lydia Seltz Interior Design FZ LLE Name: Lydia Seltz Website: www.lydiaseltzinteriordesign.com Nov20216
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