Born and living in Ashrafieh, the heart of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.
MAGAZINE · INTERVIEW
Richard Yasmine
Richard Yasmine is a Lebanese interior architect and designer based in Beirut whose multidisciplinary practice spans collectible furniture, lighting, objects, and interior design. Trained in interior architecture and later in art criticism and curating, he develops concept-driven works that merge storytelling, craftsmanship, and cultural identity. Rooted in the layered history and contradictions of Lebanon, his practice transforms emotion, memory, and symbolism into sculptural objects that exist between functional design and collectible art.
Working closely with Lebanese artisans, Yasmine combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary technologies to create pieces distinguished by bold geometry, poetic narratives, and refined materiality. Blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination, his work explores themes of identity, ritual, and human experience, resulting in collectible designs that balance conceptual depth with sculptural expression.
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Interview
Where were you born and where are you from?
What is your first memory connected to the art world?
Mmmm, well, I remember that since I was actually so young, my paternal family was in the industry of couture; therefore, I was so attracted to shapes, colors, fabrics, and materials. Besides, the interior of the family house was filled with multiple objects and furniture from the 20thies, some art deco pieces and vintage ones. My single hobby was drawing dresses and houses on any paper around; I’ve been told I’m a talented little boy… These were my very first memories and a solid base in the structure of my personality.
Have you always worked in the art/design field?
Yes, since I studied Interior architecture and product design.
What led you to design creation?
The love for art, architecture, and the history of art…mixed with my chaotic imagination.
How would you describe your creative process and its influences?
As a Middle Eastern and specifically a Lebanese, I am really concerned to reflect a dynamic representation of my city and country therefore I Include continuously an additional methodology in each of my project related to my culture and ritual by choosing the lines, shapes, materials also by collaborating with skilled craftsmen, occasionally in a muddled development conversely with a clean and sharp outcome, My ultimate concern is to keep integrating this Middle Eastern / Lebanese soul in the procedure of each of my products which I define sober, geometric, ornamented, rhythmic, poetic and nostalgic.
Could you describe a typical day of your work?
Well ok let me describe my daily routine pre covid and lockdowns. First, it starts with my breakfast, which is only caffeinated early mornings while checking social media…. Around 8h, I start work, first replying to emails, preparing the schedule of the day or the week, working on my projects, and following up on what’s happening on site for (interior projects) or in the production of my pieces. I usually prefer not to meet before noon. Well lunch for me is very important it can be a business lunch or even alone sometimes with family I have a very strict schedule I try my best to finalize my daily work around 5 or 6 when I love to take coffee at my favorite spot but even at this relaxing moments i continue sketching and creating some new design concepts, if I have an extra time I go to the gym but unfortunately not on daily basis,most of the time I go back to work after diner or go have some drinks with my friends ..my beloved hobby other than painting well its photography I got all the necessary tools …my favorite room is the photography studio ..i adore experimenting new shots playing with lights and dimensions.
Why did you choose the specific materials you work with?
I usually work with noble natural materials such as rough solid stones and different kinds of marble; furthermore, I like to work with natural wood, leather, and fabrics. I love the transparency, light, and the third dimension of the glass; another favorite one is brass, reflecting the oriental feel through an extravagant aspect with its golden finish. I appreciate the time and intelligence that someone put in creating new materials, but I’m not a big fan of plastic and nylon-based materials, noting that who knows maybe one day I’ll use one of them. Lately, “AFTER AGO” is handcrafted and painted using multiple materials such as foam, lightweight concrete plaster, acrylic, and stone ware/clay.
Regarding colors, well, I appreciate each and every color.
What are the technical particularities of your creations?
Regarding the technical particularities well since I am seeking on integrating the Middle Eastern and specially the Lebanese knowhow and spirit in the recipe of each of my product, yet since I always considered local artisans and craftsmen as our ancestors because they were the designers during the past history, they created, they prototyped, they produced and sold their products and made us proud by reflecting our cultural image…..their work is part of our history, well they even were pioneers in the creative field therefore it’s our duty as contemporary designers and architects to preserve this heritage as much as we can…. Therefore I always collaborate with them, using their traditional techniques when it comes to wood carving or marquetry, metal work, leather or even embroidery, etc… these particularities will help me to reflect and emphasize on our culture and civilization, to make it known worldwide not to mention that keep on spreading the marriage between tradition with new technologies is definitely essential to the future of design.
What contemporary artists, in any kind of art, have you been inspired by?
Vanessa Barragao, Kathleen Ryan.
If you had to summarize your creations in one word or sentence, what would it be?
I should keep this to the viewer… My signature identity is mixing craziness with sobriety with a touch of fantasy.
What advice could you give to beginning artists who would like to create sculptural design works?
They should believe that if they love their design, then people will too. They should have this talent innate in their character, always be motivated to work hard, with the only target being to realize their dreams, focusing on their goals, not looking back, and not letting any bad energy mess with their career path. I think then they will be able to achieve what’s in their mind. Work on the smallest detail as if it’s the main be picky and a perfectionist to the extreme; don’t hesitate and go for their own decisions; work not for the money but for the pleasure of creating.
If your works had to belong to a design movement, how would you define it?
Maybe contemporary art deco.
What designers and artists have influenced you?
I got my motivation and inspiration from many architects, artists, and fashion designers such as Le Corbusier, Tadao Ando, Anish Kapoor, Yayoi Kusama, Rei Kawakubo, and Yohji Yamamoto.
From Le Corbusier, “the light”; Tadao Ando, the beauty of simplicity with a creative use of natural light as well, from Anish Kapoor the ultimate mythical wonders … the conceptual approach of Mrs. Kusama, Rei kawakubo and her dual character the right half likes tradition and history and the left side is to break the rules, this is likewise a part of my personality when creating. Last but not least, the avant-garde notion of Yohji Yamamoto.
All those characteristics, contradictions, and adjectives are part of my inner chaos, and that’s why I usually incorporate the traditional knowhow in my design. I love the marriage between history, religion, civilization, and a new approach, giving birth to new philosophies.
What contemporary designers do you appreciate?
Nendo.
“Be picky and a perfectionist to the extreme.”
The Questionnaire
The Questions
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust.
Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde,
Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Health and being surrounded by my family and friends.
What is your greatest fear?
Fear of illness.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I’m over sensitive.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Hypocrisy and jealousy.
Which living person do you most admire?
I admire whoever fight for a good cause.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Coffee and a good red wine.i can say food in general.
What is your current state of mind?
Anxiety.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Idealism.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Perseverance, intelligence, honesty, loyalty and affection.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Seduction, sensuality and above all motherhood.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Many thx, enfin de compte, w’ll see, perfect…
Which talent would you most like to have?
I already have it, im a good gourmet chef.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Control my emotions.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Always seeking for a greater one.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
A door, a tree or just water.
Where would you most like to live?
If not in Beirut or Milan, it will be on any Greek Island even in winter season.
What is your most treasured possession?
Time.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Low self-esteem.
What is your favorite occupation?
Storryteller/artist-painter.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Well I’m a leo, you can guess…
What do you most value in your friends?
Honesty, loyality and support.
Who are your favorite writers?
Kahlil Gibran, Amin Maalouf, Jean de La Fontaine, Brothers Grimm.
Who is your hero of fiction?
Tom and Jerry.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Leonardo Da Vinci.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Who gives without expecting something in return.
What are your favorite names?
Yasmine.
What is it that you most dislike?
Wasting time and hypocrites.
What is your greatest regret?
I regret nothing.
How would you like to die?
In my bed, in my sleep.
What is your motto?
Just be yourself then you will be loved.
“Just be yourself, then you will be loved.”
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