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Gabriel Daher

@gabydaher

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AN AFTERNOON WITH EMIR SAMIR ABILLAMAA.

I went to see an art collection and an atelier. I left wanting to tell the story of the man behind them.

What was meant to be a simple visit to Emir Samir Abillamaa’s mansion in Dbayeh became an encounter with a larger than life personality whose journey deserves a chapter of its own.

From his beginnings at an architectural firm behind the iconic Caves du Roy in Beirut and Los Angeles to his success as an industrial entrepreneur, his life has taken many directions. Along the way, he and his beloved Claude built a family with their four sons, Youssef, Karim, Raed and Maher.

Built on the grounds of the former Mandaloun Club in Dbayeh, their mansion brings together a remarkable collection of artworks by numerous artists, including painter and filmmaker Julian Schnabel. Yet what made the visit particularly personal was discovering Samir’s own work.

In his atelier, nature and Lebanon’s heritage houses find their way onto his canvases. Seeing these paintings adds another dimension to a man whose life has been so closely connected to industry: the pleasure he takes in observing, painting and creating.

Outside, the garden is an artwork in itself. Lush planting, sculptures and art pieces accompany you along its paths, with a swimming pool adding to the beauty of the setting. Within these grounds, architect Raed Abillamaa’s striking modernist mansion and Karim’s enchanting Lebanese house give two very different architectural expressions to a shared family world.

There was so much to admire. But it is Samir I will remember most. A remarkable man whose warmth and sincerity made the encounter feel immediately personal. As he shared his journey, I was struck by how genuine he was, and by the enthusiasm with which he spoke about his family, his art and the life he has built.

The art brought me there. The man gave me a reason to return.

Thank you Hania for a wonderful experience!
@haniaaaaaaa by @gabydaher

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