In conversation with Karine Obegi and Mauro Nastri
We caught up with Karine Obegi, CEO of OBEGI Home and Mauro Nastri, Global Export Manager of Italian brand Porada, at their collaborative stand in Downtown Design.
We caught up with Karine Obegi, CEO of OBEGI Home and Mauro Nastri, Global Export Manager of Italian brand Porada, at their collaborative stand in Downtown Design. It was Porada’s debut exhibiting at the fair. The brand – originally from Cabiate, Italy – showcased its modern living philosophy, the Porada House, in an exclusive space alongside OBEGI Home, which is the brand’s local partner and official dealer.
Partitions, screens and a palette of warm colours created a welcoming and refined atmosphere that introduced visitors to the world of the Porada House – a vision of Italian savoir expressed through high-end furniture and modern interior spaces. The OBEGI Home booth itself hosted a multi-brand showcase featuring over 20 leading international brands and artists.
Besides panel discussions at its showroom, OBEGI Home also hosted an event celebrating Porada’s mastery of wood craftsmanship, tracing its evolution since 1968. The week also included dedicated events for the next generation of designers from American University in Dubai (AUD) and Heriot-Watt University, underscoring a commitment to nurturing future talent.
You can watch the interview with Obegi and Nastri below:
The Latest
Studio 971 Relaunches Its Sheikh Zayed Showroom
The showroom reopens as a refined, contemporary destination celebrating Italian craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless design.
Making Space
This book reclaims the narrative of women in interior design
How Eywa’s design execution is both challenging and exceptional
Mihir Sanganee, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder at Designsmith shares the journey behind shaping the interior fitout of this regenerative design project
Design Take: MEI by 4SPACE
Where heritage meets modern design.
The Choreographer of Letters
Taking place at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation until 25 January 2026, this landmark exhibition features Nja Mahdaoui, one of the most influential figures in Arab modern art
A Home Away from Home
This home, designed by Blush International at the Atlantis The Royal Residences, perfectly balances practicality and beauty
Design Take: China Tang Dubai
Heritage aesthetics redefined through scale, texture, and vision.
Dubai Design Week: A Retrospective
The identity team were actively involved in Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design, capturing collaborations and taking part in key dialogues with the industry. Here’s an overview.
Highlights of Cairo Design Week 2025
Art, architecture, and culture shaped up this year's Cairo Design Week.
A Modern Haven
Sophie Paterson Interiors brings a refined, contemporary sensibility to a family home in Oman, blending soft luxury with subtle nods to local heritage
Past Reveals Future
Maison&Objet Paris returns from 15 to 19 January 2026 under the banner of excellence and savoir-faire
Sensory Design
Designed by Wangan Studio, this avant-garde space, dedicated to care, feels like a contemporary art gallery