MAGGY MONSEF
LIFESTYLE BRAND AND GLOBAL INTERIOR DESIGNER Interior designer Maggy Monsef credits her father, Camille Monsef, for her great love of design. She believes that interior design is all about human behavior and human interaction, and identifies her affinity for art, music and fashion as essential to her ability to style people’s lives. The ability to see what could be, instead of what is, and then bring it to reality, is her forte. In addition to Lebanon’s iconic La Crêperie restaurant in Jounieh, which she designed, she’s had assignments all over the world, including the Middle East and Europe. When asked who the most outrageous person in the world is, Monsef says it’s someone “who doesn’t appreciate diversity in life. It’s that person who limits their vision, therefore causing their mission in life to be limited.”
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What makes you most proud? My kids and my work. Seeing my children grow into successful and confident young adults is the harvest of my motherhood journey. Name one person who has left a lasting impact on your life and explain why. My father. First, he taught me unconditional love, which I have utilized with everything that touches my life. Professionally and being an architect himself, I grew up to develop a passion for design, which became a focal point in my career. In your opinion, is excess a good or bad thing? It depends. There are things that lose their lust and beauty when in excess. On the other hand, there are things that intensify their meaning and purpose. It’s about one’s comfort in presenting their own identity that matters the most. What’s your dream travel destination? Every corner of the world is my dream travel destination. The world is big, and it has so much to offer. My ultimate dream travel destination would be the Moon or Mars, which I am confident we will reach one day. Never stop dreaming. Which is your favorite spot in Lebanon? I like every spot of my country, but a few places stand out, most notably La Crêperie, the restaurant I designed in Jounieh. From the top of the rock, one can see the sea, the mountains and the streets of our beloved Lebanon – a holistic picturesque view. If you could go back in time and change one thing about your life, what would it be? I would never go back in the timeline of my life as I am someone who looks forward to the journey of living. But if I have to give my 13-year-old self advice, I would courageously say, “Everything will happen for a reason. Never ever give up.” What do you love most about your work? I love the process of creation. My eclectic taste brings items and designs from all walks of life to fit in one frame of beauty and fine design. Describe yourself in just one word. Positive.
