With a natural flair for design and artistic aspirations inherent from childhood, Hameed Hani is the owner and chief designer for 5MM, a London-based but globally minded high-end residential interiors design consultancy. His practice is driven by passion and creativity to create interiors that evoke emotions and feelings.
Q. What are the upcoming trends in modern interiors?
Hani – Luxury finishes will play an important role in 2016. Gold, as well as its color variations such as Rose Gold and Champagne Gold, will be making a comeback this year, in both brushed and gloss finishes. Details of this trend are carried out in furniture through the use of metal inlays and frames to give the designs a luxurious feel. Another trend for 2016 is the use of statement decorative pieces such as unique sculptures or unique mirror designs.
Q. How would you describe your design sensibility?
Hani – We strongly believe that a space has a direct impact on our mind and body. Our design aesthetic reflects that philosophy through our clever spatial layouts and balanced color schemes. I would describe 5MM’s style as ‘Trendy and Modern with an Art-Deco twist’. My signature touch usually involves creating a bespoke joinery piece that would work as an art or statement piece yet is still functional.
Hani Suggests the Following:
• Declutter! Get rid of unwanted objects in your home or store small objects away. A minimal look often gives a light fresh feel to the space.
• Re-arrange your furniture. You would be surprised a small task such as moving a sofa can change the entire look of the room.
• Create mood lighting. Utilize your table lamps and use scented candles to create a cozy fresh ambiance.
• Buy new soft furnishing such as throws or new crisp bed linens.
Q. What are you planning for the future?
Hani – We are currently in the works to open our first showroom. We will also be launching a home fashion online store filled with beautiful and unique accessories and furniture. Watch this space…
Q. How far along is the Dubai interior scene?
Hani – The Dubai interior scene is growing rapidly and is on the right track. It has evolved dramatically since the opening of the Dubai Design District and launching two design fairs, INDEX and Downtown Dubai. These enabled both
international and local designers and suppliers to showcase their work and products and create interest in interiors to the general public. There still needs to be a lot of work done but I do believe that it will eventually be an international design
hub for the region.
Q. When you design and create a customized space, what are some factors you take into consideration?
Hani – We always build a strong relationship with our clients to get a clear understanding of his/her taste and intention for the end use of the project. We create a brief tailored to each project and work within these standards. In terms of spatial planning, we pay great attention to the client’s lifestyle to determine the main layout. For example, a client that hosts dinner parties will often give us an indication to how many guests their dining table will need to seat and so on. We also like to create a color palette and finishes mood board that is to the client’s taste.
