Our World: Angawi House Interior

Almakkiyah is the name of the home of famed local architect Dr. Sami Angawi, who allows tours of his home to pre-arranged groups.  I've been fortunate to have been able to visit the house many times and I always notice new details that I hadn't seen before.

To see more photos and learn more about this amazing Jeddah home, CLICK HERE.



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Our World: Villa Entrance

Middle Eastern style is evident in this private villa entrance in Jeddah.  I love the large cut out shape housing the gate, the step details on top of the wall, and the abundance and variety of lanterns.

Be sure to visit OUR WORLD TUESDAY, where family-friendly bloggers share a unique glimpse into what life is like all around our ever-amazing planet.

Saudi Arabia: Bedouin Desert Tent

The black tents that dot the landscape of Saudi Arabia's deserts are made of woven goat hair and are inhabited by nomads called Bedouins.  Many times tents will have the latest 4WD pickup truck parked outside, TV antenna, and a chimney for the fireplace, like the red one shown here.

To learn more about the Bedouin lifestyle, CLICK HERE, and to learn more about the black tents they live in, CLICK HERE.  

SkyWatch: Minaret and Pretty Sky

It's impossible to estimate how many mosques there are in Jeddah.  Most are identifiable by their minarets and quite often a large dome.  Others are rather obscure but always recognizable by a small tower or rod sticking out with a crescent moon at the top.  This mosque is in Al Balad, the old original section of the Jeddah.  In this crowded part of the city, the mosque is surrounded by businesses and residential buildings.  I felt lucky that the sky that day was pretty. Many days are cloudless here in Jeddah. 





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Baeshen House Entryway

The old traditional style of seating in Jeddah was to line the walls with cushions.  Many times the cushions were put directly on the floor and sometimes they were elevated to be more like the couches that most of us are familiar with.  This photo shows the entryway of the Baeshen House in Al Balad of Jeddah.  The house is being preserved as an example of life in Jeddah long ago. 

Baeshen House Courtyard

This is the private courtyard of the Baeshen House, which is in the Al Balad section of Old Jeddah.   There is built in seating along the walls and verses from the Q'uran written along the top of the walls.  The family could enjoy being out in the fresh air and still have privacy at the same time.  This area of the home was also used at times for praying.  The Baeshen House is no longer inhabited but is made available for tours. 

Jeddah: Corner Villa

Outside details of a villa on a residential corner in Jeddah.   All private villas have large walls surrounding them for privacy.  I thought the tile design element on the left curved wall of the villa was an interesting choice because to me it looks like a cross, not a symbol one sees here in Saudi Arabia very much. 

Jeddah: White Door

Metal doors like this one are commonly used in Jeddah for low income housing.  They are painted in a wide variety of colors.

Jeddah: Angawi House Door Within a Door

Angawi House of Jeddah actually has a smaller door within the large main entryway door. 

Jeddah: Angawi House Pool

This is another interior shot of the indoor pool area at Angawi House in Jeddah.

Jeddah: Angawi House Stained Glass Windows

I love the shape and colors of these stained glass windows that are part of Angawi House in Jeddah.

Jeddah: Looking up at Angawi House

Angawi House interior shot.

Jeddah: Angawi House Seating Area

I love the mixture of patterns and textures that are everywhere in the Angawi House. 

Jeddah: Angawi House Indoor Pool

An indoor pool is one of the main features of the Angawi House of Jeddah.  The pool's floor is a gorgeous mosaic tile pattern that appears to be a Persian carpet design.

Jeddah: Angawi House Ceiling

Attention to detail is the key to the beauty of the Angawi House in Jeddah.

Jeddah: Angawi House Interior

This is an interior shot of Angawi House, the home of one of Jeddah's most famous architects, Dr. Sami Angawi. 

Open Sesame

Private villas in Jeddah are all surrounded by tall walls and gates for privacy. 

Compound Residence

This is what the housing looks like in one of the residential compounds for foreign workers in Jeddah.  With the bougainvillaea, terra cotta color and the blue tiles around the windows, I am reminded of Mexican or Spanish housing.

Twin Villas

Seeing identical villas side by side like this is not unusual here in Jeddah.  Many times a large parcel of land will be purchased to accommodate several branches of one family within its compound walls. 

SkyWatch: Jeddah Compound Grounds

Gated communites, or compounds as they are called here in Jeddah, are very popular living choices for expat workers. Women can drive within larger compounds and they don't have to wear the abaya (black cloak) when they are within the compound grounds. Life can feel more "normal" for the compound's foreign residents because of these capabilities.





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