I’m sure you have seen the Instagram account @CREATEACADEMY – a master class for those in the creative fields offering categories such as Home & Interiors, Decorative Arts & Craft, Food & Nutrition, and Garden & Floristry.
You pick the category you are interested in and then choose an expert in that field. You can watch it anytime on a number of devices. I switched from my computer to my phone to my IPad and back again.
Here’s a visual clue to who I chose as my course instructor! Can you guess who it is?
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I’ve had my eye on a few courses I’ve wanted to take and I finally made the decision to go back to school!
And truly, what fun and informative it was!
The course I took included hours and hours of instruction in design, served with a heaping dose of luscious eye and ear candy. I watched the episodes at my leisure, whenever I wanted to and at all times of the day and night, whenever I chose to. No need to put on your uniform for this school. For my first course, I chose to take Alidad’s classes. Is that Mr. Alidad or just Alidad? I’m not sure, but what a force he is – it must be the one name: “Alidad.” Alidad, born in Iran, is a Mayfair-based decorator who began his career at Sotheby’s, specializing in Islamic art and textiles. Today, he still incorporates hints of Islamic decorative arts into his designs. Green, yellow, and red – favorite Alidad colors. *** I wrote about Alidad during my second year of blogging – in 2008. I was highlighting his new line of fabrics with Chelsea Textiles HERE. When I read that he was giving a class for Create Academy, I was so excited I put the news on my Instagram. How often is it you can hear a lecture from a designer as great as Alidad? And it’s not one lesson, it’s a total of 35. I was surprised at how much information was gleaned from the curriculum. The courses were varied and covered a great many different topics. Alidad makes the perfect instructor. He has a beautiful speaking voice, with a hint of a continental accent – part English and part Persian. Alidad presents a handsome picture – himself; he reminds one of Omar Sharif. The definition of debonair, you just know he wears a cologne that subtly follows him as he walks through his rooms. And there is no doubt his fingers are more manicured than yours. Hints of Topkapi Museum fill his designs. I love all the Islamic works of art in his designs. This portrait is so wonderful, isn’t it?! Alidad hosts Quintessence Blog at home. I was particular taken with his uniform of sorts. His outfit? The most splendid black cotton jacket with a green flat collar and matching lining. Casual, yet classic, his jacket with its coin buttons, is worn with a blue and white striped shirt and knit tie. Is it a Persian jacket? Ben and I studied it and Googled it to no avail. But, he is so striking in the jacket, I was a bit too enamored with it throughout the lessons!!! Alidad at home in his entrance hall, seen in his infamous black jacket with green flat collar. Are we talking about interior design or fashion? Sigh. The man can’t help it. He is gorgeous and he is just a great distraction to the job at task. Alidad is a maximalist – to the max. What a shame his parents didn’t name him Maximillian. It would have been too perfect! One accessory he thinks every room with a fireplace needs is a fender as seen above. Alidad’s library. The painting above the fireplace is of the same room with Alidad sitting next to said fireplace. A close up of the painting commissioned by Alidad. When he was younger, his parents bought this apartment for him. Eventually he outgrew the space just as the next door apartment became vacant and luckily he was able to double his space. A two story library in Kuwait. Alidad admits he is detailed oriented, perhaps too much so, he laments. But it is this attention to detail that allows him to layer his projects from ceiling to floor. Layer? Yes and yes, please, and layer again. When his antique rugs develops a worn spot, he just layers another smaller rug on top. His study is filled with rugs on top of rugs. He even layers paintings over mirrors and doors. Each surface is covered with both rare and not so rare antiques. He doesn’t mind if he has to sneak in less valuable items if needed. His walls are matched only by his ceilings. There is not one inch in any room he creates that is untouched. It’s a cacophony of textures: silks and velvets, braids and gimps, needle work and tapestries. Your eyes dance from object to object, all in a pleasing manner. Tapestries on walls, rugs on tables. I love this particular vignette. It reminds me of a Vemeer painting. There is romance in his designs and even a coziness within all the elements. The soft candlelight, tapestries which muffle the sound, hazy mirrors with antique glass – there is nothing sharp or in focus. It’s as if you have drunk a bottle of wine before you sit down on the red velvet chairs to dine. He loves tapestries – the bigger the better. He uses them behind sofas and consoles. His designs are timeless. They are the kind of rooms that might have been installed 30 years ago and if asked for an update, he will replace just a worn fabric or two. Maybe. Alidad is the ultimate professional, yet he is self taught. He obviously loves to share his knowledge – he is so at ease with the material, it’s more as if you are sitting down listening to a friend talking. I can’t emphasize how informative it all is! Yellow, red, and green – a favorite color scheme of Alidad’s. Alidad’s light yellow room sitting room. Not all his designs are dark - red and green and yellow. Here are a few of his lighter, more youthful rooms. A bright and cheery dining room. The course’s curriculum is divided into different subjects. First we learn of his background, his inspirations and then we learn his design process. During the course, Alidad takes us to his favorite antique haunts. We visit a few client houses, one of which is seen above. A different style by Alidad for a client’s Cornish cottage. But it is the tour of his own house that I loved the most. It’s on a smaller scale than his client’s grand mansions, but don’t let that fool you. It is every bit as wonderful as the most ornate mansion. His own rooms are beautiful, with his Islamic art works, above. Alidad’s dining room again, this time set for Christmas. Alidad’s bedroom with the ever present fender. Alidad also says that you should always try to include a footstool with a chair as it makes it so much more comfortable and useful! A jib door – another design element that Alidad likes to frequently use. This jib door is located in his red, painted and braided entry hall – and behind it is the surprise of a light and bright loo! Alidad Quotes From the Course that caught my attention: 1. Candles and mirrors are my specialty. 2. It’s an antique gold, not garish. 3. Scale up, not down. 4. I like worn out carpets. 5. I love it when I surprise myself.
6. Things have changed…I’m a bit more unfriendly these days.
7. A sense of humor in interior design is essential.
8. I would NEVER electrify this.
I’ve shared just a small, small example of the Create Academy lessons by Alidad. It’s truly an interesting and thoughtful course on design given by a master decorator.
To sign up for a course at the Create Academy, go HERE.