Architect and interior designer Mohamed Alqari transformed a 1,937-square-foot Bahrain Bay apartment into a retreat that blends art and curves. Located in the Four Seasons Private Residences, the space was designed to feel inviting, not just pristine. The apartment, used by its owner for vacations and occasional visits to Manama, started as a contemporary shell designed by Gensler, with clean lines and finishes already in place. Alqari’s challenge was to infuse it with warmth and personality, creating a space that feels lived-in and welcoming.
Curves and Colors Inspired by the Sea
Alqari, founder of Qreative Design, drew inspiration from the sea and skyline, interpreting beachfront living through color and form rather than obvious coastal motifs. “The project interprets the colors and atmosphere of the sea, sunlight, sand, and horizon through materiality, artwork, and form,” he explains. Curves, inspired by the movement of waves, contrast the building’s straight lines. Rounded seating, curved mirrors, and organically shaped rugs soften the space, while the Matera dining table, designed by Sebastiano Tosi for Mogg, mimics water-smoothed pebbles, reinforcing fluidity. These shapes are repeated throughout the apartment, creating a relaxed yet dramatic atmosphere without making every piece look part of the same set.
A Mix of Materials and Artworks
Natural materials like walnut paneling add warmth, while creamy whites and sandy beiges keep rooms light. Accents of turquoise, deep blue, forest green, and yellow reflect a beachfront setting without overwhelming the space. Artworks, including sculptures by Jamal Al Yousif and pieces by Martin Berger, are central to the home’s character. Furnishings range from original 1970s Wassily chairs sourced through 1stDibs and a Lemni chair to bespoke pieces from Bahrain, Italy, France, India, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Morocco. A sculptural floor lamp by James Haywood, discovered during Paris Design Week, adds a collectible touch, giving the apartment a sense of discovery.
Open Layout and Emotional Design
The single-level layout keeps living, dining, and kitchen areas connected, with gallery-like circulation to showcase art and furniture. The apartment includes a primary suite with a dressing room and en-suite bathroom, a guest bedroom, a nanny suite, a powder room, and a balcony off the main living spaces. Alqari’s design philosophy emphasizes emotion and invitation over rigidity.
Working within the existing shell, much of the transformation relied on individual choices, such as the scale and placement of sculptural pieces. The project took a year and a half to complete, beginning while the building was still in its finishing phase. The result is a space where the sea’s influence is felt through curves and blue accents, yet the apartment stands distinct, neither entirely coastal nor urban, but uniquely its own.
