Read ‘Bold Design’ – Note from the editor

By February, the year starts to feel real. The energy of January settles, routines return and ideas begin to take shape in a more considered way. This issue reflects that shift – one that’s less about bold declarations and more about refinement, clarity and purpose.

This month, identity was in Paris for Maison&Objet 2026, and being there felt important. Not just to report on what we saw, but to experience the fair as it unfolded – across the exhibition halls and throughout the city. What stood out wasn’t excess or spectacle, but a noticeable sense of restraint. Many of the conversations, installations and collections pointed towards a quieter way forward for design – one rooted in craft, perception and cultural continuity. Maison&Objet felt less like a prediction of what’s next, and more like a moment to pause and reassess where design is heading, and why.

That same sense of discipline and focus carries through to our cover feature with Sawsan Chammas Haber of Sobha Villa, where Dipiugi delivered a full turnkey home under intense time pressure. Completed in just four months for a client overseas, the project is a reminder that strong design isn’t about chasing trends – it’s about experience, judgement and knowing when to hold back. Through proportion, material choices and meticulous attention to detail, Haber shows how speed and quality don’t have to be at odds when there’s clarity of vision. Our cover feature is a must-read.

On a very different scale, one of this issue’s interiors stories looks at Titter Totter in Abu Dhabi – a children’s play space that deliberately steps away from noise and visual overload. Designed by Sneha Divias Atelier, the project treats play as something thoughtful rather than chaotic, using architecture, materiality and calm to encourage imagination. It’s a refreshing take and one that speaks to a broader shift in how we design spaces for younger generations – with care, intelligence and long-term thinking.

As the year continues to unfold, February feels like a moment to slow slightly, reflect and look more closely during Ramadan and move forward with confidence rather than noise.

Welcome to the February issue of identity.

Aneesha Rai

Editor

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