Nisrine forms a narrative arc through the visual representation of nostalgia, family traditions and the velvety warmth of Lebanon. We designed the space in the likeness of our enchanting country on the Mediterranean, its dreamlike shapes, welcoming curves and intense hues.

Rabih Geha Architects was solicited to create a spatial experience around Lebanese dining and chose to render the Nisrine wildflower growing in the lush gardens of the Mediterranean and transplant it to Doha. 

Our creative approach was to duplicate the feeling of warmth associated with family traditions, childhood memories and idle days spent in the garden. For that, we turned to de Gournay, masters of hand-embroidered and hand-painted wallcoverings to apply our vision on the walls on Nisrine.

Nisrine is articulate in its praise for Lebanese craftsmanship, traditional architecture and natural landscape. The open bright, space is bathed in distinctly Mediterranean overtones, noticeable through mother-of-pearl outfitting, bespoke wood engraved furniture, white Carrara marble and a color palette inspired by the Lebanese flora. 

Instead of colors usually associated with natural landscapes such as green and blue, we settled on a metallic red to elicit visceral emotions associated with nostalgia, and lull diners into a sense of reverie. For this purpose, de Gournay created a signature red dedicated to Nisrine. 

De Gournay painted the wild Nisrine flower atop a metallic red background alive between olive, citrus trees, and the serin bird by applying coats of pomegranate colored pigment over silver gilded paper.

Hues of red almost seem three dimensional, with the colors, angles and light schemes working in tandem to augment or dim the intensity of the shade resulting in entirely distinct spatial and visual experiences that change between day and night. 

The red of the wallpaper stands in stark contrast to the towering, white-washed ceiling typical of old Lebanese houses. The ceiling is seven meters high, arched and interrupted by cupolas with mounted sconces wrapped in brass.

Wanting to preserve the authenticity and the traditional aspect of the Nisrine experience, we made sure to source the furniture, lighting, flooring and accessories from Lebanese brands and manufacturers. Altogether, the multitude of elements that make up the space, majestic, grandiose or understated and discreet, operate in separate lanes but merge frequently into one immersive ensemble to create the Nisrine experience.