'Écritoire', a Gem-Like Desk Bridging Design and the Decorative Arts

Charles Kalpakian is a French-Lebanese designer, born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1982. After collaborating with prestigious agencies, including the Ora Ito and Christophe Pillet, in 2011, he launched his design studio and has since then been developing his projects. He draws his inspirations from his roots in France and Lebanon, as well as street-art culture. These influences take shape through the reinterpretation of motifs derived from the decorative art that was in turn, inherited from the history and geography of Lebanon. Kalpakian's line of work is always sharp yet flexible, almost like the strokes created by a calligraphy brush. Ranging from product to interior design, his ventures always highlight the richness of his origin, combined with the elements of Western modernity. His collectible designs, Cinétisme, Moon and Clé de sol are shown exclusively by Galerie BSL, in Paris, France. Kalpakian also created the Rocky credenza for the brand, La Chance. Since then, he has been working with companies and brands, such as DCW, Habitat, Haymann Edition, Nemo Lighting, Dupont Corian, Lelievre, PUIG, Fondation Luciano Benetton, JM design gallery, in Beirut and also designs private commissions.