Contemporary Collage Technique | Materials, Tools, and Steps
Contemporary collage techniques give us a unique way to tell stories through fragments. In our work, when we paint abandoned houses in Lebanon, we often use this approach to extend...

Our inspiration started with trying to preserve the disappearing heritage of places like Lebanon, where traditional architecture and structures have been demolished and replaced by high rises. We also aimed to preserve traditional craftsmanship and empower artisans in different places.
We upcycled discarded architectural salvage found in scrapyards into one-of-a-kind high-end home decor such as lamps, tables, mirrors, and more.

(artisans, service providers, advisers and others)
Each purchase carried meaning for our artisans and our partner workshops, providing funds to support their families, hope for the future, joy in their work.
The aftermath of a long conflict in Lebanon created many challenges: lack of access to training and employment of marginalized and disabled persons, little respect for the environment, lingering tensions between different communities. Realizing that we could increase our impact by working with a number of independent artisans who had limited access to the market because of their situation or the context they live in, we traveled the country to meet those artisans. We were especially keen to work with those who were marginalized or disabled, including refugees.
— BENEDICTE, FOUNDER

We prioritized the reuse or transformation of materials in making our products. Over 90% of the contents of the products we created since we started our company have been repurposed and reused materials. We estimate that well over 250,000 lbs of repurposed raw materials have been used in making our products. We use sustainable cotton and 100% pure linen for our fabrics line. Our handbags are crafted out of Haute couture fabrics and leather from deadstock. We produced on-demand to avoid overstock. We sell mostly online and occasionally do pop-up stores with other creators.

Since 2019, the primary goal behind our new collections had been to bring hope to the artisans we work with.
From ideation to delivery, we carefully thought about how we could restore hope in the future for our artisans and their families. Isn’t it wonderful to know that an object in your home has the power to send hope that transcends borders?
In 2019, witnessing the horrendous economic fall of Lebanon, we launched the collection “A Handbag for Hope”. Using Haute Couture fabrics and leather from fabric deadstock, we partnered with a small workshop in Beirut to transform leftovers into bags. Our bags carry hope and support the work of skilled artisans who live in desperate conditions.
In 2020, we met with women artisans in Lebanon who master the art of wood block printing. Because of the situation in the country, their workshop had no visibility and no hope to sell any item. Together, we designed an exclusive collection of block print house linen "Fabrics on a Voyage".
The shops have now closed, but the mission continues. Co-founder Bénédicte de Vanssay Moubarak now carries forward the vision that gave birth to Beyt: restoring the unseen beauty of the broken. Through watercolor and mixed-media painting, she continues this work today by painting abandoned houses and forgotten places across the Levant.
We remain eternally grateful to all the artisans, customers, partners, and supporters who were part of this incredible journey.