Design Styles

Explore decorative approaches for your project, from Saudi regional influences to classical and contemporary interiors. We can adapt the details to suit your space and design brief.

The style

Hijazi الحجازيُّ

An architecture that knows what to do with the sun.

From the old houses of Jeddah: a timber rawshan projecting from the façade to draw air in and keep eyes out, coral stone that stays cool, and a courtyard that pulls the heat upward.

Here the ornament is a function before it is a beauty.

The Hijazi style — carved rawshan mashrabiya
Character
Shaded · pierced · made for heat
Architectural elements
Projecting rawshan and mashrabiya · internal courtyards · low pointed arches · pierced plaster over doorways · wood-effect decorative gypsum ceilings · broad stone stairs
Materials
Turned teak · coral stone · pierced gypsum · white lime
Signature ornament
The rawshan — A screen of turned timber assembled spindle by spindle, breaking the light into small points that travel across the floor.

Palette

Coral stone Teak brown Rawshan honey Mashrabiya shadow

The style

Salmani السلمانيُّ

Najd, once its scale grew up.

Salmani is not a historical style; it is the contemporary evolution of Najdi architecture: the modern Saudi reading of its own architectural identity.

The vocabulary is unchanged: the triangle, the stepped diamond, the notched parapet, but it has moved from a band at hand height to a whole wall.

The Salmani style — Najdi relief at architectural scale
Character
Earthen · sculptural · monochrome
Architectural elements
Full-height recessed relief panels · merlons abstracted to a single shadow line · mashrabiya become pierced fields of light · deep-reveal openings · tall timber doors studded in bronze
Materials
Fine sand-toned plaster · cast and carved gypsum panels · limestone · walnut and bronze
Signature ornament
The enlarged motif — The stepped diamond is lifted out of the Najdi frieze and enlarged until it governs an entire wall, read not by colour but by raking light on its edge.

Palette

Warm sand Limestone Dark walnut Lit bronze

The style

Islamic الإسلاميُّ

Where writing becomes architecture, and architecture becomes writing.

The oldest of the languages we speak, and the widest.

Muqarnas descends from the dome cell by cell, calligraphy runs round the room as a frieze meant to be read, and the geometry extends without centre or end, because what is not depicted is ornamented.

Deep carved stucco with a calligraphic band and muqarnas — work by Al Arabi
A courtyard of arches and ceramic mosaic — work by Al Arabi
Character
Geometric · calligraphic · endless
Architectural elements
Muqarnas beneath domes · carved calligraphic friezes · pointed and lobed arches · niches and mihrabs · interlacing star networks
Materials
Carved and pierced gypsum · coloured ceramic mosaic · gold leaf · carved cedar
Signature ornament
The muqarnas — Cells stepping down from dome to wall, solving the structural problem and making the shadow in the same gesture.

Palette

Carved plaster Aged plaster Dark cedar

The style

Najdi النجديُّ

An architecture built out of the ground it stands on.

From the plateau of Najd: thick earth walls that keep the day outside, a roof of tamarisk and palm trunks laid close together, and a frieze of carved gypsum running beneath it in triangles and stepped diamonds.

Every material comes from within walking distance: clay from the ground the foundations were dug into, gypsum burnt nearby, trunks from the palms that shade it. Which is why a Najdi house never looks placed on its site — it looks grown out of it.

The Najdi style — carved gypsum frieze and wood-effect decorative gypsum ceiling
Character
Earthen · geometric · made for shade
Architectural elements
Thick earth walls · triangular stepped merlons · carved gypsum frieze · wood-effect decorative gypsum ceilings · small punched openings and wall niches · studded timber doors
Materials
Mud and straw · hand-carved gypsum · wood-effect decorative gypsum · beaten brass
Signature ornament
The triangular frieze — A band of triangles and stepped diamonds cut into the gypsum where wall meets ceiling, exactly where the light rakes across and gives the carving its depth.

Palette

Plateau clay White gypsum Tamarisk timber Beaten brass

The style

Moroccan المغربيُّ

Moroccan Gypsum Work

A Moroccan hall with a carved gypsum medallion set in a lobed arch — work by Al Arabi
Character
Carved · geometric · layered

Palette

Ivory plaster Shaded plaster Carved relief Relief shadow

The style

French Classical — Louis XIV الكلاسيكيُّ الفرنسي

Formal symmetry, substantial cornices and ordered wall panels give French Classical interiors a dignified, ceremonial character. Inspired by the Louis XIV tradition, this approach combines architectural balance with richly crafted relief and selective gilding.

The French Classical style
Character
Formal · symmetrical · richly detailed
Architectural elements
Balanced boiserie panels · deep cornices · classical pilasters · centred ceiling decoration
Materials
Carved gypsum · painted timber · marble · selective gold leaf
Signature ornament
Acanthus leaf relief and ordered panels.
Suggested palette
Ivory · antique gold · warm marble · walnut

The crafts that build it

Reference: Chateau de Versailles — The Marvels of the Palace

The style

French Rococo — Louis XV الروكوكو الفرنسي

French Rococo introduces flowing ornament, curved panels and delicate asymmetry. Shell forms, foliage and scrollwork create an intimate, decorative character, with the architectural detail taking a lighter and more playful form than the formal Louis XIV tradition.

The French Rococo style
Character
Fluid · delicate · ornamental
Architectural elements
Curved wall panels · shell crests · asymmetrical C- and S-scrolls · softly shaped ceiling borders
Materials
Fine plaster relief · painted timber · subtle gilding · pale marble
Signature ornament
Rocaille shell forms and asymmetrical scrolls.
Suggested palette
Soft ivory · pale blush · muted gold · stone

The crafts that build it

Reference: V&A — The Rococo style

The style

Italian Renaissance النهضةُ الإيطالية

Italian Renaissance interiors use classical proportion and a clear architectural rhythm. Coffered ceilings, rounded arches and pilasters create a composed setting in which decorative detail supports the structure of the room.

The Italian Renaissance style
Character
Ordered · balanced · architectural
Architectural elements
Coffered ceilings · rounded arches · pilasters · clearly defined wall bays
Materials
Carved plaster · stone · timber · restrained painted decoration
Signature ornament
The coffer: a repeated recessed ceiling panel.
Suggested palette
Limestone · warm plaster · walnut · muted terracotta

The crafts that build it

Reference: The Met — Architecture in Renaissance Italy

The style

Italian Baroque الباروك الإيطالي

Italian Baroque interiors bring drama through depth, movement and sculptural ornament. Sweeping forms, projecting cornices and richly modelled ceiling details create a strong sense of occasion in grand reception spaces.

The Italian Baroque style
Character
Dramatic · sculptural · expressive
Architectural elements
Curving ceiling forms · projecting cornices · deeply modelled plaster · emphatic framed openings
Materials
Sculpted gypsum · marble · gilded timber · decorative paint
Signature ornament
Deep scrolling relief shaped by light and shadow.
Suggested palette
Warm ivory · antique gold · marble · deep walnut

The crafts that build it

Reference: The Met — Baroque Rome

The style

English Georgian الجورجي الإنجليزي

English Georgian interiors favour balanced proportions, carefully arranged wall panelling and classical mouldings. Refined plaster ceilings and a well-proportioned fireplace give the room an orderly, comfortable elegance.

The English Georgian style
Character
Balanced · composed · proportionate
Architectural elements
Sash-window proportions · panelled walls · classical cornices · symmetrical fireplace composition
Materials
Painted plaster · timber panelling · stone or marble · brass
Signature ornament
A finely proportioned cornice and balanced panel layout.
Suggested palette
Warm white · muted green · oak · pale stone

The crafts that build it

Reference: English Heritage — Georgian architecture

The style

English Regency الريجنسي الإنجليزي

English Regency interiors combine classical influence with decorative sophistication. Slender mouldings, elegant surface pattern and contrasting finishes create a polished setting. Regency is a phase within the wider Georgian era, presented here as a useful design option.

The English Regency style
Character
Elegant · classical · decorative
Architectural elements
Slender pilasters · refined cornices · framed mirrors · decorative friezes
Materials
Painted plaster · polished timber · marble · brass or gilded accents
Signature ornament
Fine classical friezes and contrasting decorative borders.
Suggested palette
Ivory · deep green · black · warm gold

The crafts that build it

Reference: V&A — Thomas Hope and the Regency style

The style

English Victorian الفيكتوري الإنجليزي

Victorian interiors draw on several nineteenth-century revival traditions rather than one fixed style. This example uses enriched cornices, a decorative ceiling rose and layered wall finishes to create a richly detailed domestic interior.

The English Victorian style
Character
Layered · expressive · richly finished
Architectural elements
Enriched cornices · ceiling roses · dado rails · patterned upper walls · crafted joinery
Materials
Decorative gypsum · timber · patterned wallcovering · stone · metal accents
Signature ornament
The enriched ceiling rose and layered cornice.
Suggested palette
Warm cream · burgundy · forest green · dark timber

The crafts that build it

Reference: English Heritage — Victorian architecture

The style

Neoclassical الكلاسيكيةُ الجديدة

Neoclassical interiors reinterpret the architecture and ornament of ancient Greece and Rome. Symmetry, fluted details, measured mouldings and restrained relief create a composed and formal interior. This historical tradition is distinct from Modern Classic.

The Neoclassical style
Character
Symmetrical · disciplined · refined
Architectural elements
Fluted pilasters · regular wall bays · classical cornices · delicate friezes
Materials
Painted gypsum · pale stone · fine timber · selected metal details
Signature ornament
Laurel wreaths, swags and classical fluting.
Suggested palette
Ivory · soft sage · pale stone · muted gold

The crafts that build it

Reference: V&A — Neoclassicism

The style

Modern المودرن

As little as possible, made as well as possible.

No cornice, no medallion. What remains is a curve, an edge, and the light hidden behind it. Once the ornament is stripped away, there is nothing left to hide a mistake behind.

This is the hardest thing we make, not the easiest.

The Modern style in the Al Arabi hand
Character
Clean · curved · lit from within
Architectural elements
Dropped ceilings with concealed light · continuous curved returns · recessed shadow gaps · seamless surfaces · floating volumes
Materials
Seamless polished gypsum · brushed brass · smoked glass · honed stone
Signature ornament
The shadow gap — A finger-wide slot between ceiling and wall. Nobody sees it, and without it nothing looks right.

Palette

Warm gypsum Cove light Brushed brass Aged walnut

The style

Japanese اليابانيُّ

Emptiness as part of the design, not what is left over.

Timber left the colour it grew, a fine lattice that divides the light before it enters, and a wall deliberately left empty.

The beauty is in the restraint, and in the mark of the hand left visible.

The Japanese style in Al Arabi's hand
Character
Restrained · natural · divided by light
Architectural elements
Kumiko timber lattice · sliding screens · exposed-beam ceilings · a single display alcove · unpolished edges
Materials
Unfinished timber · stretched paper and cloth · coarse-textured plaster · blackened iron
Signature ornament
The kumiko lattice — Slender strips interlocked without nail or glue, casting a pattern of shadow that moves all day.

Palette

Rice paper Cedar Moss Sumi ink

The style

Indian الهنديُّ

Stone carved until it becomes a screen that breathes.

Mughal in origin: a scalloped arch repeating the length of a hall, a jali screen cut from a single slab, and fine inlay set into the stone.

An architecture that loves symmetry, and loves patience more.

A majlis of scalloped arches and recessed niches in the Indian style — work by Al Arabi
Character
Symmetrical · pierced · inlaid
Architectural elements
Scalloped arches · stone jali screens · onion domes · repeating recessed niches · slender columns
Materials
Carved sandstone · shell and coloured-stone inlay · polished white gypsum · carved timber
Signature ornament
The jali — A geometric screen pierced through the slab itself: it keeps the room cool and lets whoever sits behind it see without being seen.

Palette

Sandstone Warm marble Jade Carved umber

The style

Andalusian الأندلسي

Inspired by the Nasrid architecture of Al-Andalus, this style combines fine plaster carving, patterned surfaces and rhythmic arches. Slender supports and carefully layered ornament create an intricate, graceful architectural setting.

The Andalusian style
Character
Intricate · rhythmic · finely carved
Architectural elements
Slender columns · lobed arches · fine plaster relief · wood-effect decorative gypsum ceilings · geometric tile borders
Materials
Carved plaster · ceramic tile · wood-effect decorative gypsum · pale stone
Signature ornament
Fine repeating plaster patterns surrounding an arch.
Suggested palette
Plaster ivory · warm sand · terracotta · muted green

The crafts that build it

Reference: Alhambra — The plasterwork technique in Nasrid decoration

The style

Spanish Mediterranean المتوسّطي الإسباني

Spanish Mediterranean interiors combine warm plaster, rounded openings and natural materials. Timber, terracotta and restrained metalwork create a welcoming, textured setting. This is a broad design direction, distinct from the ornate European classical collections.

The Spanish Mediterranean style
Character
Warm · textured · relaxed
Architectural elements
Rounded plaster arches · timber beams · deep openings · simple ironwork
Materials
Textured plaster · terracotta · timber · natural stone · wrought iron
Signature ornament
The softly shaped plaster arch.
Suggested palette
Warm white · terracotta · honey oak · iron black

The crafts that build it

Reference: NPS — Mission Revival: related Spanish-influenced tradition

The style

Contemporary المعاصر

Contemporary design responds to the needs and visual language of present-day interiors. Sculptural forms, integrated lighting and contrasting textures create an individual setting, with decoration shaped around the project rather than a historical rulebook.

The Contemporary style
Character
Current · sculptural · tailored
Architectural elements
Soft curves · integrated lighting · large wall planes · tailored feature surfaces
Materials
Smooth gypsum · natural stone · timber · brushed metal
Signature ornament
A sculptural ceiling or wall form shaped by light.
Suggested palette
Warm white · pale stone · bronze · natural oak

The crafts that build it

Reference: Proposed contemporary design direction; image and palette illustrate one possible treatment

The style

Minimalist المينيمالي

Minimalist interiors use a limited palette and carefully resolved details to create visual calm. Continuous surfaces, discreet junctions and controlled light place the emphasis on space, proportion and workmanship.

The Minimalist style
Character
Quiet · precise · uncluttered
Architectural elements
Continuous wall planes · recessed shadow gaps · discreet lighting · concealed doors
Materials
Fine plaster · pale stone · natural timber · matte finishes
Signature ornament
The precisely controlled shadow gap.
Suggested palette
Chalk · sand · pale oak · soft grey

The crafts that build it

Reference: Proposed contemporary design direction; image and palette illustrate one possible treatment

The style

Art Deco الآرت ديكو

Art Deco uses bold geometry and stylised ornament to create a distinctive decorative interior. Stepped profiles, fluted surfaces and fan motifs combine with contrasting finishes for a polished, expressive result. Its roots lie in the early twentieth century.

The Art Deco style
Character
Geometric · rhythmic · decorative
Architectural elements
Stepped ceiling profiles · fluted surfaces · fan motifs · symmetrical feature walls
Materials
Modelled gypsum · polished timber · contrasting stone · brass · glass
Signature ornament
The stepped fan or sunburst motif.
Suggested palette
Warm ivory · black · champagne · walnut

The crafts that build it

Reference: V&A — Art Deco

The style

Ottoman العثماني

Ottoman gypsum work, historically known as carved plaster or malakâri, is associated with the palaces, mosques and grand residences of the Ottoman Empire. Multi-layered relief, geometric precision and ornate painted detail define its ceilings, while its walls combine imperial grandeur with rich texture and traditional Islamic architectural elements.

The Ottoman style
Character
Ornate · layered · imperial
Architectural elements
Domed and coffered ceilings · carved relief panels · pointed arches · arched window recesses
Materials
Carved gypsum · painted and gilded detail · timber · ceramic tile
Signature ornament
Multi-layered carved relief in geometric patterns.
Suggested palette
Ivory · turquoise · deep red · gold

The crafts that build it

Reference: Al Arabi gypsum styles reference file; the photographs illustrate the style and are not completed Al Arabi projects

The style

Scandinavian الإسكندنافي

Scandinavian design is a twentieth-century movement from the Nordic countries that combines minimalism, simplicity and everyday functionality with natural warmth and craft. Its ceilings are vaulted or kept as clean, minimal false ceilings in smooth gypsum with curved soffits, and its walls rely on natural materials, clean lines and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

The Scandinavian style
Character
Light · calm · functional
Architectural elements
Smooth false ceilings · curved soffits · concealed cove lighting · clean wall planes
Materials
Smooth gypsum · light timber · natural textiles · matte finishes
Signature ornament
The softly curved gypsum soffit with concealed light.
Suggested palette
White · warm beige · pale oak · soft grey

The crafts that build it

Reference: Al Arabi gypsum styles reference file; the photographs illustrate the style and are not completed Al Arabi projects

The style

Retro الريترو

Retro style draws heavily on the aesthetics, fashions and objects of past decades, most often the 1950s to the 1980s. Its walls blend bold colour palettes, iconic graphics and vintage textures such as mid-century timber panels and earthy geometric prints, while its ceilings bring old-world charm with pressed-tin tiles, exposed wood beams, metallic paints or ornate plaster medallions.

The Retro style
Character
Bold · nostalgic · playful
Architectural elements
Curved arches and alcoves · pressed-tin-style ceiling tiles · sculpted ceiling ribbons · graphic feature walls
Materials
Gypsum and plaster · timber panelling · pressed-tin-style tiles · metallic and painted finishes
Signature ornament
The bold curved arch or circle on a coloured wall.
Suggested palette
Terracotta · mustard · olive · cream

The crafts that build it

Reference: Al Arabi gypsum styles reference file; the photographs illustrate the style and are not completed Al Arabi projects

The style

Bauhaus الباوهاوس

Bauhaus design comes from the German school of the same name (1919–1933) and follows the principle that form follows function. Clean lines, simple geometric shapes and minimal ornament take the place of decorative mouldings, rosettes and cornices, so ceilings stay understated and integrated into the architecture, while walls use geometry with a clear functional purpose.

The Bauhaus style
Character
Functional · geometric · restrained
Architectural elements
Flat or stepped ceilings · integrated lighting · geometric colour blocks · clean wall planes
Materials
Smooth gypsum · steel · glass · plywood
Signature ornament
Primary-colour geometric blocks on a plain wall.
Suggested palette
White · red · yellow · blue

The crafts that build it

Reference: Al Arabi gypsum styles reference file; the photographs illustrate the style and are not completed Al Arabi projects

The style

Deconstructivism التفكيكي

Deconstructivism is a postmodern movement characterised by controlled chaos, fragmented forms and the deliberate dismantling of traditional design rules. Angular planes, folded surfaces and unexpected intersections turn ceilings and walls into sculptural compositions.

The Deconstructivism style
Character
Fragmented · angular · sculptural
Architectural elements
Folded ceiling planes · angular wall facets · linear light slots · intersecting volumes
Materials
Modelled gypsum · timber · stone · concealed lighting
Signature ornament
The folded, faceted ceiling plane.
Suggested palette
White · charcoal · walnut · warm grey

The crafts that build it

Reference: Al Arabi gypsum styles reference file; the photographs illustrate the style and are not completed Al Arabi projects

The style

Futuristic المستقبلي

Futuristic interiors combine sleek minimalism with science-fiction aesthetics, giving priority to fluid architecture, integrated technology and dynamic lighting. Ceilings become a primary architectural feature with clean lines and dimensional lighting, and walls combine modular geometry, high-tech lighting and tactile texture.

The Futuristic style
Character
Fluid · high-tech · luminous
Architectural elements
Layered curved ceilings · dimensional light lines · sculpted wall reliefs · seamless transitions
Materials
Modelled gypsum · integrated lighting · gloss and matte finishes · glass
Signature ornament
Flowing ceiling layers traced by light.
Suggested palette
White · pearl grey · soft lilac · black

The crafts that build it

Reference: Al Arabi gypsum styles reference file; the photographs illustrate the style and are not completed Al Arabi projects

The style

Harlem الهارلم

The Harlem Renaissance style, often called “Harlem Deco”, blends the geometric luxury of 1920s Art Deco with the cultural expression and warmth of African-American heritage. Walls feature sharp angles, chevrons, zigzags and fan motifs alongside African-inspired patterns, while ceilings often take the form of colourful folded-art or feature installations.

The Harlem style
Character
Rich · collected · glamorous
Architectural elements
Feature ceiling installations · arched wall niches · chevron and fan motifs · statement art walls
Materials
Gypsum · painted finishes · rich textiles · brass
Signature ornament
The fan or chevron motif with African-inspired pattern.
Suggested palette
Burnt orange · deep green · ochre · gold

The crafts that build it

Reference: Al Arabi gypsum styles reference file; the photographs illustrate the style and are not completed Al Arabi projects

The style

Memphis الممفيس

The Memphis style is a postmodern movement founded in Milan in 1980 by Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis Group. It rejects minimalism in favour of vibrant colour, clashing patterns, playful geometry and maximalist energy, turning ceilings and walls into bold focal points.

The Memphis style
Character
Bold · playful · maximalist
Architectural elements
Coloured ceiling layers · geometric cut-outs · patterned feature walls · striped and arched forms
Materials
Gypsum · painted finishes · plastic laminates · patterned surfaces
Signature ornament
Clashing geometric pattern in bright colour.
Suggested palette
Coral · teal · yellow · black and white

The crafts that build it

Reference: Al Arabi gypsum styles reference file; the photographs illustrate the style and are not completed Al Arabi projects

The style

Bohemian البوهيمي

Bohemian (boho) design is a free-spirited, eclectic style that blends rich textures, global influences, natural materials and warm or earthy colours to create a relaxed, lived-in space. Its ceilings focus on warm, layered textures and organic materials, and its walls mix earthy tones with art and cultural elements.

The Bohemian style
Character
Relaxed · eclectic · warm
Architectural elements
Patterned painted ceilings · arched niches · textured wall art · timber ceiling forms
Materials
Gypsum · timber · rattan and woven fibre · natural textiles
Signature ornament
The hand-patterned ceiling or woven wall feature.
Suggested palette
Sand · terracotta · olive · cream

The crafts that build it

Reference: Al Arabi gypsum styles reference file; the photographs illustrate the style and are not completed Al Arabi projects

The style

Organic العضوي

Organic design, often called organic modern, blends clean contemporary minimalism with the warmth, curves and textures of the natural world. Its ceilings move away from rigid lines towards fluid, natural forms that also help acoustics, while its walls bring warmth, texture and soft lines into the space.

The Organic style
Character
Soft · flowing · natural
Architectural elements
Fluid sculpted ceilings · curved wall reliefs · arched niches · concealed lighting
Materials
Modelled gypsum · natural timber · textured plaster · stone
Signature ornament
The flowing, wave-like gypsum relief.
Suggested palette
Cream · warm sand · natural oak · stone

The crafts that build it

Reference: Al Arabi gypsum styles reference file; the photographs illustrate the style and are not completed Al Arabi projects

The style

Biophilic البيوفيلي

Biophilic design is an architectural and interior approach that integrates nature into the built environment to support well-being. Its ceilings bring overhead greenery, organic textures and nature-inspired forms indoors, and its walls integrate planting, natural textures and living systems.

The Biophilic style
Character
Natural · restorative · green
Architectural elements
Planted ceiling features · sculpted landscape walls · curved timber slats · integrated planters
Materials
Modelled gypsum · natural timber · living plants · stone
Signature ornament
Sculpted gypsum forms carrying living greenery.
Suggested palette
Leaf green · ivory · warm wood · stone

The crafts that build it

Reference: Al Arabi gypsum styles reference file; the photographs illustrate the style and are not completed Al Arabi projects

The style

Industrial الصناعي

The industrial gypsum style combines the clean, smooth finish of gypsum boards with raw architectural elements such as exposed beams, metal pipes and concrete textures. Its ceilings feature exposed structure and services for a raw, high-ceilinged look, and its walls use raw materials and high-contrast finishes for a loft or workshop atmosphere.

The Industrial style
Character
Raw · structural · high-contrast
Architectural elements
Exposed beams and services · concrete-effect surfaces · layered ceiling planes · metal detailing
Materials
Gypsum board · concrete-effect finish · steel · timber
Signature ornament
Concrete-effect surfaces paired with smooth gypsum.
Suggested palette
Concrete grey · charcoal · rust · warm timber

The crafts that build it

Reference: Al Arabi gypsum styles reference file; the photographs illustrate the style and are not completed Al Arabi projects

On custom design

Custom Design التصميمُ الخاص

Custom Design is not a style chosen from a list.

It is work designed for you alone: our crafts brought together, gypsum and carving, paint, gilding and wood, into a single architectural language that is not repeated on another project.

It begins as a drawing on paper and is approved with you before anything is made. And because it is made for one place, what suits that place suits nowhere else.

A pattern study drawn in gold line on ivory: an eight-point star within a twelve-lobed rosette, with its construction circles, a cornice profile and a drafting title block

Let's begin your project.