13/11/2026
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At Elite Decor by R.C., we believe every space has a story, and our mission is to bring that story to life
13/11/2026
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Rima Chehab
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 12: A beautiful room may catch the eye, but a true home is defined by warmth, light, comfort, and personal details. For Lebanese interior designer and property consultant Rima Chehab, design is not about following trends or decorating rooms. It is about understanding the people who will live in a space and turning their ideas into a lived reality. This philosophy underpins Elite Decor by R.C., the interior design studio she founded after building experience in design, architecture, and real estate. Chehab is now looking beyond Lebanon toward Kuwait and the wider GCC, where she sees opportunities among clients who value elegant interiors, quality craftsmanship, and personalized design. In an interview with the Arab Times, she discussed her entrepreneurial journey, her studio’s approach, the challenges of working in Lebanon, and her plans to expand into the Gulf.
More than decoration
Chehab’s interest in design grew from her love of architecture, beautiful spaces, and the potential to transform ordinary properties into something special. Her work in property consultancy and interior design gave her both creative and practical industry experience. She founded Elite Decor by R.C. to offer more than concepts and furniture selection. The studio manages projects from the first consultation and design proposal through material selection, renovation, execution, and final delivery. This allows Chehab to remain personally involved at every stage. For her, a design on paper is only the beginning. What matters is ensuring the finished space fulfils the original vision, which she sees as a key difference between her studio and others.
Chehab’s interest in design grew from her love of architecture, beautiful spaces, and the potential to transform ordinary properties into something special. Her work in property consultancy and interior design gave her both creative and practical industry experience. She founded Elite Decor by R.C. to offer more than concepts and furniture selection. The studio manages projects from the first consultation and design proposal through material selection, renovation, execution, and final delivery. This allows Chehab to remain personally involved at every stage. For her, a design on paper is only the beginning. What matters is ensuring the finished space fulfils the original vision, which she sees as a key difference between her studio and others.
Understated luxury
Chehab’s preferred style combines modern luxury with timeless elegance. She favors natural materials, marble, warm walnut wood, neutral and greige tones, carefully planned lighting, and clean architectural lines. Rather than filling rooms with decoration, she lets materials, proportions, and details create the atmosphere. She believes luxury should feel refined rather than excessive, and that elegance should never compromise comfort. She does not impose a signature style on clients. Instead, she listens to how they live, what they need, and how they want their home to feel. “My role is to translate their vision into an environment that is both beautiful and functional,” she said. Chehab also values lasting design. Trends may change, but quality materials, thoughtful planning, and well-considered spaces retain their appeal.
Chehab’s preferred style combines modern luxury with timeless elegance. She favors natural materials, marble, warm walnut wood, neutral and greige tones, carefully planned lighting, and clean architectural lines. Rather than filling rooms with decoration, she lets materials, proportions, and details create the atmosphere. She believes luxury should feel refined rather than excessive, and that elegance should never compromise comfort. She does not impose a signature style on clients. Instead, she listens to how they live, what they need, and how they want their home to feel. “My role is to translate their vision into an environment that is both beautiful and functional,” she said. Chehab also values lasting design. Trends may change, but quality materials, thoughtful planning, and well-considered spaces retain their appeal.
Adapting without compromise
Running a business in Lebanon has taught Chehab patience, resourcefulness, and determination. Economic pressures and changing market conditions have affected project costs, material availability, and the way projects are planned. Rather than accepting lower standards, she responds through careful planning, smart material choices, and knowing where to invest for the greatest impact. Close collaboration with suppliers and execution teams helps her preserve the design vision while working within clients’ budgets. Her experience has reinforced a central lesson. Creativity is not only about generating beautiful ideas, but also about making them work in real conditions.
Running a business in Lebanon has taught Chehab patience, resourcefulness, and determination. Economic pressures and changing market conditions have affected project costs, material availability, and the way projects are planned. Rather than accepting lower standards, she responds through careful planning, smart material choices, and knowing where to invest for the greatest impact. Close collaboration with suppliers and execution teams helps her preserve the design vision while working within clients’ budgets. Her experience has reinforced a central lesson. Creativity is not only about generating beautiful ideas, but also about making them work in real conditions.
Design and real estate
Chehab’s property consultancy background shapes her approach to interior design. She sees a property not merely as rooms to decorate, but as an asset with purpose, market potential, and a specific audience. She considers how a space will be used, how it will appeal to buyers or tenants, and whether thoughtful design can improve its market value. Good layouts, quality finishes, and functional interiors can strengthen a property’s appeal, rental prospects, and resale value. For Chehab, professional interior design is therefore a long term investment, not simply an aesthetic expense.
Chehab’s property consultancy background shapes her approach to interior design. She sees a property not merely as rooms to decorate, but as an asset with purpose, market potential, and a specific audience. She considers how a space will be used, how it will appeal to buyers or tenants, and whether thoughtful design can improve its market value. Good layouts, quality finishes, and functional interiors can strengthen a property’s appeal, rental prospects, and resale value. For Chehab, professional interior design is therefore a long term investment, not simply an aesthetic expense.
Why Kuwait matters
Chehab sees Kuwait as a promising market for Elite Decor by R.C., particularly for private residences, luxury villas, high end apartments, hospitality projects, and commercial spaces. She believes the GCC’s appreciation for generous spaces, refined finishes, and sophisticated architecture aligns with her studio’s direction. Her interest goes beyond securing projects. She wants to build relationships with architects, developers, property consultants, businesses, homeowners, and investors who share her standards for design and professionalism. She is also open to project based collaborations as a first step toward a stronger regional presence. While Lebanon and the GCC both value quality and individuality, Chehab recognizes differences in budgets, expectations, project scale, and execution standards. The GCC offers opportunities for larger luxury developments, while Lebanon has taught her to be adaptable and resourceful. She aims to bring the strengths of both markets into her work.
Chehab sees Kuwait as a promising market for Elite Decor by R.C., particularly for private residences, luxury villas, high end apartments, hospitality projects, and commercial spaces. She believes the GCC’s appreciation for generous spaces, refined finishes, and sophisticated architecture aligns with her studio’s direction. Her interest goes beyond securing projects. She wants to build relationships with architects, developers, property consultants, businesses, homeowners, and investors who share her standards for design and professionalism. She is also open to project based collaborations as a first step toward a stronger regional presence. While Lebanon and the GCC both value quality and individuality, Chehab recognizes differences in budgets, expectations, project scale, and execution standards. The GCC offers opportunities for larger luxury developments, while Lebanon has taught her to be adaptable and resourceful. She aims to bring the strengths of both markets into her work.
One partner throughout
Elite Decor by R.C. offers a comprehensive service that includes interior design, concept development, architectural and space planning, 3D visualizations, material selection, lighting design, customized details, renovation, fit out, bespoke furniture, and project supervision. The goal is to give clients one point of contact from initial concept to final handover. For anyone undertaking a major renovation or building a home, this coordination can make the process far easier. Chehab believes communication and execution are as important as the initial design. “We do not simply present a beautiful concept; we focus on bringing it to life,” she said. She is also following industry developments such as sustainable materials, smart home technology, and increasingly personalized living spaces. Lighting, in particular, has become central to contemporary interiors because it can transform a room’s atmosphere. For Chehab, however, innovation must ultimately make spaces more comfortable, functional, and beautiful.
Elite Decor by R.C. offers a comprehensive service that includes interior design, concept development, architectural and space planning, 3D visualizations, material selection, lighting design, customized details, renovation, fit out, bespoke furniture, and project supervision. The goal is to give clients one point of contact from initial concept to final handover. For anyone undertaking a major renovation or building a home, this coordination can make the process far easier. Chehab believes communication and execution are as important as the initial design. “We do not simply present a beautiful concept; we focus on bringing it to life,” she said. She is also following industry developments such as sustainable materials, smart home technology, and increasingly personalized living spaces. Lighting, in particular, has become central to contemporary interiors because it can transform a room’s atmosphere. For Chehab, however, innovation must ultimately make spaces more comfortable, functional, and beautiful.
Looking ahead
Over the next three to five years, Chehab hopes to grow Elite Decor by R.C. into an internationally recognized brand with a stronger presence in Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Her goal is to build a portfolio of distinguished residential and commercial projects, lasting professional relationships, and regional partnerships. Her expansion is not only geographic. She wants every project to reflect the same creativity, quality, and personal commitment that inspired her to establish the studio. Her message to clients and partners in Kuwait and the GCC is simple. She welcomes opportunities to work with homeowners, investors, developers, and professionals who value distinctive spaces. “At Elite Decor by R.C., we believe every space has a story, and our mission is to bring that story to life,” she said. Beyond marble, furniture, and finishes, Chehab’s aim is to create places that mean something to the people who use them. As she looks toward Kuwait and the wider Gulf, her guiding belief remains unchanged. Good design is not only about how a space looks, but how it makes someone feel
Over the next three to five years, Chehab hopes to grow Elite Decor by R.C. into an internationally recognized brand with a stronger presence in Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Her goal is to build a portfolio of distinguished residential and commercial projects, lasting professional relationships, and regional partnerships. Her expansion is not only geographic. She wants every project to reflect the same creativity, quality, and personal commitment that inspired her to establish the studio. Her message to clients and partners in Kuwait and the GCC is simple. She welcomes opportunities to work with homeowners, investors, developers, and professionals who value distinctive spaces. “At Elite Decor by R.C., we believe every space has a story, and our mission is to bring that story to life,” she said. Beyond marble, furniture, and finishes, Chehab’s aim is to create places that mean something to the people who use them. As she looks toward Kuwait and the wider Gulf, her guiding belief remains unchanged. Good design is not only about how a space looks, but how it makes someone feel
By Marlon Aquino Malinao Managing Editor, Arab Times
