July 12 Issue_002houston 6/15/12 8:37 PM Page 38
Saba Jawda
JAWDA & JAWDA
By Nadia Michel | Photography by Anthony Rathbun lurring the lines between art, architecture and design, Saba Jawda is designing a bright future for herself and enjoying every second. Along with sister Sara, Saba runs Jawda & Jawda, an ambitious architecture, art, graphic design, creative direction, marketing and interior design firm. Recent projects for the stylish duo include the space for One Green Street (5160 Buffalo Speedway, 281.888.9518), the first LEED Certified store in Houston. Everything the shop carries is eco-friendly. For the retailer, Jawda opted for a clean design that would showcase the product, peppered with antique pieces. “We used an 18thcentury oriental door we found in Dallas as a closet door and some 18th-century chairs we reupholstered in a new way,” she explains. “When you mix different periods, it adds depth to a space. It has to be just the right balance.” Also in the works for Jawda and her sister is JAW[LINE], a full-fledged furniture line.
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“We have the whole thing designed, from sofas to tables and ottomans. We can do any finish,” she says. In an effort to minimize impact on the environment and to encourage local business, JAW(LINE) is fully produced and manufactured locally. “If we can have something made in Houston, we do that first. And any products that we need, we usually get within the U.S,” she adds. Their first creation, a chair made in collaboration with Dallasbased fabric designer Michelle Nussbaumer (Ceylon & Cie), is a sleek, modern take on oriental forms and ikat print. It is currently only available at Kirby & Company (2031 West Alabama Street, 713.636.2340), one of Saba’s favorite sources for unique pieces.
“WHEN YOU MIX DIFFERENT PERIODS, IT ADDS DEPTH TO A SPACE. IT HAS TO BE JUST THE RIGHT BALANCE.” 38. july 12 | www.002mag.com
“They can manufacture anything and if you have an older piece they can refinish it,” she says. Born in Basra, Iraq, Jawda left her country at age 11 and spent some time in Belize before settling in Texas. “I really think traveling is key. It opens your eyes to different cultures, different backgrounds.” She uses her far-fetched inspiration to keep things fresh. “That’s the great part about design, when you introduce a client to something they didn’t even know about,” she says. Jawda earned a degree in interior design and architecture from the University of Houston in 2003. A self-proclaimed artist since age 7, Jawda serves on the boards of local art organizations, including Spacetaker and Artist Rescue Mission. Her art is available for purchase and by commission. Jawda and Jawda Inc. | www.jawdaandjawda.com | 713.419.8018