For years, Qatari designer Shaikha Al Sulaiti’s name has been linked with mind-bending, creatively crafted decor pieces. Now, her offerings for the Imagining Utopia collection have come under the spotlight for their strong message. Photo: Courtesy Sheikha Al Sulaiti Drawing inspiration from the unique characteristics of traditional Qatari homes, Wahaaj, a collection of colorful pieces from Shaikha Al Sulaiti’s Imagining Utopia collection, serves as a vibrant addition to any space.
The colors and materials used for the contemporary tribute to Qatari culture take inspiration from stain glass windows, a common element in Qatari homes. In Imagining Utopia, each object has a backstory. For one, every creation represents a different facet of life in Doha, serving as an imagination of what luxury Qatari furniture could have been if it had not been touched by the colonial design influence of the 1940s.
Manufactured by artisans in Italy, Wahaaj was first unveiled in Milan, and now has been brought home to Al Thani Palace, located in the same grounds as the National Museum by Jean Nouvel. Photo: Courtesy Sheikha Al Sulaiti With its colorful geometric pieces, Wahaaj is a prime example of how modern design and traditional Qatari culture can coexist. Drawing inspiration from the modular design of traditional Bedouin and Qatari furniture, Wahaaj offers a level of versatility similar to the adaptable urban homes of the past.
Its use of recycled yarn in molded plexi/plastic showcases Al .