As the founder of the design address, the classic interior, the interior designer Rana Al Kassim has a reputation to combine classic elegance with modern sensitivity. Since the start of her company in 2008, she has brought some of the region's most striking living areas to life. Today her work is at the interface of timeless aesthetics and intuitive life and seamlessly integrates Samsung -networked ecosystem into their daily routines and their professional practice.
We sat down with Rana to research her developing philosophy, to discuss how innovation is redesigned everyday life and gather insights into how thoughtful touches can contribute to moments of meetings and hospitality.
1. Your trip to the interior design started in 2008 with classic interior. How has your personal style developed over the years and what inspires you today?
It was a nice development. I started my career in classic interior – rich, elegant and layered. Even then I loved adding my own turn to rethink traditional approaches. Over the years, when I navigated through the taste of different customers and the pulse of the market, I have of course pointed out for more contemporary styles. What continues to inspire me is the balance between luxury, sophistication and innovation. A room should not only look increased, but has to feel intuitively. That's why I pulled myself to integrate intelligent technologies into the environments I created.
2. What is your ultimate tip to create a warm and inviting room for the guests if so much emphasis is placed on hosting people at home?
In our culture, hospitality comes from the heart and it is about feeling people welcome. Regardless of whether it is a festive occasion or a casual weekend visit, I always start to create a feeling of lightness and warmth. The right atmosphere runs a long way. Soft lighting, inviting smells, comfortable seating and thoughtful details give all guests the feeling of really belonging.
In recent years I have also accepted a few “intelligent” routines that hold the pressure. I usually put the lighting so that I automatically switched to a warmer tone when the evening approaches, which leads to a peaceful shine. Sometimes I have gentle music in the background or pictures on the screen with which the topic is determined. During the preparation of food, I rely on my tailor -made refrigerator so that I can be organized while cooking, and often follow recipes directly on my Samsung device.
Even simple things like laundry or devices are treated by connected routines to free me to enjoy the moment. These little habits that are now part of my everyday river transform how calm and ready I feel when visitors enter the door.
3. You have personally experienced Samsung's Smartthings Ecosystem. What is a AI-controlled function in Samsung's Home Appliances that has changed your daily life, especially for Ramadan preparations?
Every time I use a Samsung function, I really discover something new and it surprises me in the best way. One of my absolute favorites is the intelligent hub on the Neo QLED 8K TV. What really impresses me is how it learns the types of things that we enjoy, and the content of the short ones, which fits perfectly with our preferences. Depending on the time of day, we could watch a spiritual program, a cooking show for inspiration or have traditional music in the evening to create a calming atmosphere. Instead of jumping between apps or trying to find something suitable, everything is fine. It becomes part of the natural river of my house – always available, but never overwhelming.
V. could AI-controlled houses finally become the standard for luxury life?
Absolutely. While I am still in the exploration phase with AI, his potential is already clear to me. Luxury is now only about how a room supports their lifestyle and adapts to them. With AI we can personalize environments in real time, from automated lighting scenes, which change all day over the climate control that anticipates your comfort levels.
This type of functions are even more important if you have guests. For example, I can plan the lights in such a way that I swim to a warmer tone in the evening and switch to a calming ambience without effort. The temperature and the air quality adapt, depending on how many people are in the room and the devices synchronize with my daily rhythm. It is these subtle, intelligent layers that really make a home feel at home – and I think the future of the upper life is led there.
5. If you would have to design an 'intelligent Majlis' especially for households in the Middle East with Samsungs-Ki-driven ecosystem, what most important elements would you include in creating a harmonious balance between comfort, tradition and innovation?
For me, an intelligent Majlis would concentrate on serenity and togetherness, values that are not only well received during Ramadan, but all year round. I would bring in the surrounding displays of the frame TV to offer cultural graphics or to play gentle traditional music that puts the mood. Air conditioning would work in the background to ensure that everyone is comfortable, while smartthings can adapt it with minimal effort. The idea is to mix tradition and modernity naturally, so that technology improves the atmosphere without ever taking over.
6. A perfect weekend evening at home – what does it look like for you? Are there any special rituals or personal details that make it useful?
A perfect evening begins with prayer, followed by a family meal together – simple but deeply significant. I love to give the sound with a beautifully arranged table, soft lighting and soothing background music, which is often curated by the Smartthings app. After IFTAR is a time for reflection and storytelling and we can normally observe a program that we can all enjoy together. Nights like this have a calm rhythm – a feeling of connection, both spiritually and emotionally. The technology remains in the background and enables us to be completely present.
Regardless of whether she is organizing, designing or relaxing with the family, Rana Al Kassim shows that even the simplest moments at home can feel effortless when the tradition hits thoughtful technology.
Menafn0604202500284009143ID1109394884