<span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="24.999999999999996" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">A</span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-5" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">yah Al Bitar has a knack for imbuing her artistry with practicality. The Saudi </span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-5" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">furniture designer made her debut in 2015 with Wisada, a collection of orthopaedic floor seats, shaped like large, cushioned bicycle saddles, which promote comfort, practicality and good posture. A year later,</span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-5" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}"> she unveiled the Sanctuary, a portable storage structure that can house all the prayer items Muslim men and women might need on a daily basis, while earlier this year, she came up with a Quran stand with a hidden shelf.</span> <span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-10" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">Al Bitar, who launched her label, Aya: The Art of Living, in the Dubai Design District in 2015, showcased her latest collection at this year's Saudi Design Week, which ended yesterday. For the Y Collection, Al Bitar looked to her own label's name, using the "Y" from Aya to design a range of six pieces that include or are derived from the organic and versatile shape of the letter. </span> <span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-10" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">The six pieces blend simple lines with art deco influences, and the collection also makes good on the on-trend interior shades of the season: burgundy, mustard, salmon and emerald. "I'm always going home and exhibiting my work – the pool for regional talent is continually expanding and growing," Al Bitar says. "It's a great platform, and I actively get involved in opportunities whereby talent and creativity from this region is recognised and given a voice</span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-10" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">."</span> <span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-10" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">For the Y-Table, the first piece she designed in the new collection, Al Bitar reimagined her previous C-Table design to make it more spacious and sleek. This was followed by the Half Y-Table, which is, she says, essentially the Y table design "cut in half". Much like Al Bitar's Wisada design, the Half Y-Table also doubles as a comfortable seating option for those who like to sit closer to the ground, which she </span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-10" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">points out is a common preference in Arab households. </span> <span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-10" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">Next, Al Bitar wanted to create a tray that would fit snugly onto the top of the Y-Table, which resulted in the sleek</span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-10" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">, lightweight Pebble trays. The shape harks back to her original design, inspired </span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-10" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">by, she explains, "the negative space of two Wisadas". </span> <span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-5" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">Seating and serving aside, the Y Collection also includes a futuristic-looking coat hanger. But don't be fooled by its ultra-slim design, </span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-5" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">because the hanger's balancing power lies in its sturdy</span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-5" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">, stable base, which is made from lightweight concrete. The slim neck of the piece also includes a small tray for bric-a-brac, such as keys, coins or phones.</span> <span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-10" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">Another mod-con shape can be found in the form of rubbish bins, a category</span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-10" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}"> that, Al Bitar says, is lagging behind in terms of design. The small and compact form of the Y Collection's bins don't compromise </span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-10" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">their aesthetic value; these would not look out of place under your dresser or even in your spare bedroom.</span> <span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-10" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">The largest item in the collection, and a personal favourite of Al Bitar's, is the television unit (main picture), which merges all four colours to make for a smart-looking piece, which can be easily moved about as per your requirements. As with the coat hanger, the power of this slim-lined piece lies in its legs. "The legs of the design utilise a special internal structure to give support, yet with a slim aesthetic," Al Bitar explains. "The Y shape creates the handle, as well as inspiring the piece's shape – it's a standout piece, yet simple like the rest of the collection</span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="-10" data-atex-uat="{KerningMethod:JElEL09wdGljYWw=}">."</span> ______________ <strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/home/fashion-hits-home-tv-stars-colin-mcallister-and-justin-ryan-share-interior-design-tips-at-yas-mall-1.664330" style="">TV stars Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan share interior design tips at Yas Mall</a> ______________