Tatami Tables, Japanese Straw Weaving with Eastern Marquetry

A native of Lebanon, Nada Debs grew up in Japan and studied at the Rhode Island School of Design. Today, she lives and works in Beirut, where she leads a team of 20 people and works across disciplines, from product and furniture design to craft, art, fashion and interiors.

“My aim has always been to start with traditional techniques and skills and then inject a bit of life and fun into them by taking a more contemporary approach,” Debs says. “Ultimately, my brand is about reinventing craft and placing it within a modern context. I strive not only to preserve traditional craftsmanship but also to widen design boundaries while continuing to preserve inherent core values. I refer to this process as ‘handmade, heartmade.’”