Maker Monday: An ASPIRE Exclusive Interview With Ziad Alonaizy

This week’s #MakerMonday leads us in a masterclass of elegance. Imbedded with a wise and poetic perspective, the stunning furniture Ziad Alonaizy creates radiates strength, intentionality, and a story. In this week’s interview, Ziad discusses sustainability, following design trends, and the core values behind his process.


This stunning table captures light, but it also radiates from within.

Andrew Joseph: Describe your design style as if you were explaining it to someone who cannot see?
Ziad Alonaizy: Eternal Elegance is at the heart of my design aesthetic; to create timeless and exceptional designs that transcend current market inclinations and provoke exceptional visual and emotional impact. My love of architecture and attention to detail comes through with the use of repetitive elements in my designs, high-quality materials, and best craftsmanship practices. The most difficult part of any design is where to start. I always start with a concept, an idea or a notion, which will form the basis of the story or narrative behind the design, driving an emotional, as well as a visual response. For example, when designing my first collection of furniture, AEGIS, I wanted to think outside of the box and not to be caged by market trends. Therefore, the collection was inspired by the concept of a birdcage being pried open by two fingers, metaphorically representing empowerment and the release of ideas and creativity.

Andrew: What is something you hope to see trending in design in the future?
Ziad: Sustainable design. I love being surrounded by nature. My favorite holidays always involve some outdoor activities such as sailing, scuba diving, skiing or hiking. Even my home address is in the greenest and leafiest part of Central London. Therefore, contributing to the sustainable future of our industry is paramount, such as our metal finishes which are achieved via a delicate sponging technique that prevents any drip waste. We also strive to source sustainable materials such as our new re-purposed glass tops – made of recycled glass bottles, free from any chemicals or additives. I am also currently working on an exclusive collection for an Italian company using sustainable materials such as bamboo. In addition, we make a donation from our sales to the World Land Trust, a conservation charity protecting the environment and endangered species.

Andrew: What’s one ingredient you put in everything?
Ziad: A story. Good design tells a story. But, in my opinion, it is the other way round. Design should start with a good story that guides and binds it together. A good story, or concept, dictates shapes, colors, materials and sets boundaries for a more coherent result. I feel this can also be part of the way you dress, cook, network, etc. For example, I cook a mushroom and pasta dish that is always a great success with my guests. I still remember where in Italy I tasted it for the first time, where the ingredients come from, searching and finding a similar recipe and the occasion I first trialed it.


The harmonious colors in this finish harness the best of Earth’s natural beauty.

Andrew: What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
Ziad: I am neither fashionable or trendy. Upon meeting me, people assume I follow fashion and design trends. I do not. I have been inspired from a young age by my mother’s great sense of style. She always managed to stand out in a crowd without trying too hard. Yes, it is important to stay informed – but to become original, I feel it is vital not to be distracted by others and to follow your gut feeling.

Andrew: Are you a pet person? Why either way? Dogs or cats?
Ziad: Yes, yes and yes! I love all animals. I have a very handsome Westie called Dexter. He is quite the character – slightly aloof, independent, very social and an exercise fanatic. Sometimes, I am so focused on work I forget to eat or stand up and it is always a real pleasure to take him to the park for some nature and playtime. And like me, he even managed to develop his own OCD ticks like rolling the ball in the grass, to clean it from any debris, before putting it in his mouth again or wanting his mouth wiped after every meal.


About The Maker | Ziad Alonaizy Design is a luxury-led and conceptually driven furniture atelier and design studio. The company’s ethos is underpinned by a desire to create timeless and eternally elegant designs that transcend current market inclinations and provoke exceptional visual and emotional impact. Founded by Ziad Alonaizy in 2018, the studio was established following the acclaimed launch of Ziad’s debut collection of furniture – AEGIS. With a solid grounding in architectural interior design, the company now specializes in bespoke furniture, interior design, and private commissions. Following an illustrious career in Orthopaedic surgery, Ziad took the decision to pursue architectural interior design after completing numerous residential projects for family and friends. Having graduated with distinction from the esteemed Inchbald School of Design, where he won the industry prize for outstanding design from Finchatton, he consequently gained experience working for some of the world’s most renowned studios. Driven by exceptional quality and an unwavering dedication to excellence, Ziad is passionate about a conceptual approach to his work that consistently delivers against client expectations and captures the essence of their vision. “I set myself the challenge to create a timeless and conversational design, born from my architectural background and quest for individuality.”


Andrew Joseph is a regular contributing editor for ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME magazine. See more of his work here

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