It’s no secret by now that we at bazaar are obsessed with Q at the Yard. Not only do they save our hungry tummies on a daily basis with brilliant culinary creations and their expansive healthy options – they also have tantalizing desserts and amazing hot beverages – all wedged into a gorgeous and comfortable space in the heart of Kuwait City.
But the ladies behind the space are something else – local graphic designers and appreciators of quirky and cool knick-knacks and collectibles, i have built this place from the ground up, starting with their kitschy concept store, The Yard. Danah said, “Ala’a’s and my designs both complement one another, and we both have an eye for all things unique. When our online store was born, we’d spend a lot of time working on other projects as a design house. Eventually, everything fell into place as The Yard, and we found the perfect space in which to operate it.” The Yard is indeed a kitschy place, selling an array of home-wear and stationary items that are truly one-of-a-kind. What’s also great about this haven is that they feature local designers through different contributions, such as postcards by local photographer Mohammed Al Kouh, products by calligrapher Farah Behbehani and their conceived Designer Planner; a yearly planner that follows a certain theme and designers submit drawings related to that theme, dedicated to each month of the planner. This monthly planner set is as adorable as it is useful and supportive, and can only be found at The Yard.
On top of their brilliant creation of The Yard, the girls found themselves collaborating with Q Café by sharing the Kuwait city space, then redesiging and eventually managing the café. After some time and a lot of contribution, both spaces married to turn into their baby, Q at the Yard. This is an awesome space where we would recommend anybody to pop by, grab a quick meal, get some work done or hang out while indulging in their “Dessert of the Week” special and enjoying a cup of their Vietnamese Coffee – an interactive coffee experience where the customer has the privilege of mixing themselves.
Q at the yard is warm, welcoming, comfortable and completely unique. And once we at bazaar got to know them, we concluded that what makes both Q at the Yard and The Yard so special, are definitely the masterminds behind this space. We discuss:
What do you most value in your friends?
Ala’a: Light-heartedness.
Danah: Kindness and spontaneity.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A: Yoga on the beach on a perfect sunny day.
D: Long picnics with friends and Nora Jones.
What is your greatest fear?
A: Illness.
D: Working for someone else.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
A: Indecisiveness.
D: Overthinking the details.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
A: Carelessness or being wasteful.
D: Lack of commitment.
Which living person do you most admire?
A: There isn’t one specific person that I admire. To me, it is anyone I meet/know who has worked their way up to an achievement, while being ethical and humble.
D: Anyone who spends his/her spare time helping others.
What is your greatest extravagance?
A: Travel.
D: Travel (the means, accommodation and frequency).
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
A: “Excellent.”
D: “Let’s look it up.”
What is it that you most dislike?
A: Extreme cold.
D: Street cats!
Which talent would you most like to have?
A: Ability to calculate large mathematical equations in my head or a handicraft skill.
D: Playing a musical instrument well.
If you could have any job, what would it be?
A: An illustrator.
D: Food Critic or Pro Cartoon Voice Over Artist.
What would you consider your greatest achievement?
A: Working my way up at my previous job.
D: Convincing my parents that I can run my own business.
What is your most treasured possession?
A: Sadly, my laptop!
D: Anything on my laptop or phone.
What is your most marked characteristic?
A: Calm.
D: Bubbly.
Where would you most like to live?
A: Somewhere with beautiful nature, pedestrian friendly and good weather all year round.
D: Venice, California.
What are your favorite words to live by?
A: Fit, happy and humble.
D: Work hard, play hard.
Q at The Yard is located on Jaber Al Mubarak Street in Kuwait City’s Shurooq Tower. Call them at 2249 5067/8 and follow them on Instagram @qattheyard. Visit their website at www.theyard-kw.com.
Photography by Abdulaziz Alsurayee.
