Beckett Interiors have been shortlisted for Living Space – Global Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021. Read more about Managing Director Mohamed Mahmood below:

---

Name: Mohamed Mahmood
Company: Beckett Interiors
Position within company: Managing Director
Website: www.beckettinteriors.com

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
My background in design started in Leeds where I started an Architectural Engineering degree and fell in love with the architecture module. That lead to me changing to a degree in Architecture, in Leeds as well. From there my passion for detail-oriented design started as the degree was focused on the creative process. Once I finished my degree I decided to move back to Bahrain and start Beckett Interiors, a studio focused on offering a high-end service for private residential market.

How would you describe your personal design style?
My personal design style is a very contemporary style with a great focus on smaller details. My style has also been often described as ‘masculine’ due to the usage of strong forms. I also like playing around with more organic forms contrasted by geometric shapes. 

Where does your design inspiration come from?
I would say that the main inspiration for any project comes from the client themselves, listening to them, understanding their requirements and speaking the same language they speak is vital for the success of any project.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
I feel that the general aesthetic is moving towards a far simpler aesthetic with a greater focus on smaller details.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design.
As a designer who doesn’t follow themes when designing I would rather mention five key elements when designing and they are as follows:

• Listen to your client, carefully.
• Read the brief once, read it twice and three times before moving forward with any design.
• Always ask when in doubt. As designers we aren’t above all and sometimes we need to go back to the client to get some more information or ask them to clarify what they meant further.
• Before finalising an idea with your client, always consult the supplier first! The worst place to be is to go back to the client and say “sorry but the idea you approved isn’t possible/feasible anymore”
• Be realistic and transparent with your clients.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Always keep it simple and make sure you layer different textures, materials and finishes. Also never compromise on quality.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
Very important. I have had my eyes on this specific award for a while but always thought its better to wait until we have the right project. I feel like the awards give credibility and exposure for designers, especially ones that are not necessarily as active on social media platforms.  

What projects are you currently working on?
We are currently working on six different projects all with private clients. All of these projects are residential and as with this one all of the furniture we have specified is bespoke and will be made specifically for these spaces.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
This is like asking a parent to pick their favourite child! All of my projects are special to me and each and every one of them has elements that are special to me. I would say the thing that makes my projects special to me is the rather personal relationship that I develop with the clients. 

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
We worked on a project a while back where we had inherited a lot of items from the previous designer that worked on that specific project and that was a big challenge as they were mostly in a style that isn’t in keeping with my personal style.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
Lamps! I feel that lamps add so much warmth to a space and without them a space would just be incomplete.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
To carry on working on my design process and improve that in order to elevate the client’s experience.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession? A small belt buckle that my great grandmother wore on her wedding day.
Your favourite holiday destination? London!
Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar? A local restaurant called Monsoon. The design is very zen and all of the furniture has been made specifically for the space.
Your favourite food and drink? My taste is ever changing, currently I am very much into Asian food, especially Japanese.
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? Walking around a market.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be? A pilot most likely!

Beckett Interiors, shortlisted for Living Space – Global Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021.

---

design et al only work with the world’s leading designers.

If you think you have what it takes to complete in The International Design & Architecture Awards, submit your application by clicking here.

How to Apply  /  The Categories