Hey! I’m Zulqarnain. Founder & Creator of Gillanibrothersqatar.com. I’m a home designer here in Qatar, and Gillani Brothers is my business. Although, if I’m being honest, calling it a “business” still feels a little weird. Four years ago it was just me, a borrowed pickup, and a slightly obsessive love for rooms that feel right.
How this all started
About four years ago, a friend of mine moved into a new flat in Al Sadd. Nice place, good bones and he’d spent a small fortune on furniture that looked amazing in the showroom. But when I walked in, the whole place felt… cold. Like a furniture catalog, not a home. He looked at me and just said, “I don’t know what’s wrong with it.”
So I stayed. We dragged the sofa away from the wall. We pulled the rug out from under the coffee table and tried it the other way around. The next day I brought over a lamp and a couple of cushions from my own place. And honestly? Watching his face when it finally clicked when the room suddenly felt like his, that’s the moment I got hooked.
After that I started helping friends, then friends of friends. Weekends were for hunting down pieces, little shops, the souqs, a carpenter I trust near the Industrial Area who can build just about anything if you sketch it on a napkin. Word got around. Somewhere along the way, “Zulqarnain can help with that” turned into Gillani Brothers.
It wasn’t all smooth, though. There was a stretch, I won’t say which month, where three projects stalled at once and I sat in my car wondering if I’d made a massive mistake. And then there’s the famous majlis sofa incident: I measured a majlis in West Bay, ordered a beautiful custom sofa, and on delivery day we discovered it would not fit through the front door. Not even close. We ended up taking a window out. The client laughed about it. I did not, at the time. These days it’s my favorite story to tell.
What four years of this has taught me
Qatar homes have their own logic, and you only learn it by spending time in them. A majlis isn’t just a sitting room, it’s where your hospitality is on display, so how the seating flows matters more than any single piece of furniture. A south-facing living room here gets brutal afternoon sun, so fabric choice isn’t about taste, it’s about survival. And the older apartments in places like Al Sadd or Al Mansoura, small rooms, low light, are honestly some of my favorite projects, because the transformation is so dramatic.
My favorite part of the work? It’s not the reveal photos. It’s the moment a client walks into the finished room and goes quiet for a second. That little pause. That’s when I know we got it right.
What I do now
- One-on-one home styling consultations. I come to your place, we talk, and I listen more than I talk
- Majlis and living space design, from layout down to the last cushion
- Full room refreshes: colors, furniture, lighting, and all the finishing touches
- Sourcing decor pieces picked for Qatar homes, things that handle the heat, the dust, and real life
A couple of personal things
A typical day for me starts with a strong karak, then I’m out the door, site visits, measuring rooms, debating joinery (politely) with my carpenter, and at least one trip hunting down “that one specific thing” a client described using only hand gestures. My phone’s camera roll is about 90% fabric swatches and room corners.
What I love most is the people. I’ve had tea in more Qatari living rooms than I can count, and every home has taught me something. This stopped being “a business” a long time ago. It’s just what I do.
Meet Our Team
The people behind Gillani Brothers Qatar. Designers and editors who live and breathe home decor.
James
Specialization: Luxury Living Rooms & Villa Interiors
Senior Design Editor. James leads our living room and luxury home content, from statement villas to elegant everyday spaces. Originally from England, James spent 11 years in high-end residential design across Qatar and the Gulf before joining Gillani Brothers three years ago. He is known for blending modern Gulf luxury with warm, livable styling, and he reviews every luxury feature before it goes live.
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Noah
Specialization: Small Spaces & Apartment Decor
Small-Space Editor. Noah writes our apartment and bedroom guides and every budget-friendly makeover series. Originally from the Netherlands, Noah spent 8 years specializing in compact urban homes before joining Gillani Brothers three years and two months ago. His specialty is renter-friendly transformation: no renovations, no big budgets, just smart layouts, layered lighting, and pieces that earn their space.
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Oliver
Specialization: Seasonal & Holiday Decor
Seasonal Content Lead. Oliver runs our Christmas, Fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving decor coverage. Originally from Germany, Oliver brought 9 years of visual merchandising and event styling experience with him when he joined Gillani Brothers two years ago. He has styled holiday collections for retail brands and private homes across Doha, and he plans our seasonal calendar a full year ahead.
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Come say hi
If you’re staring at a room that doesn’t feel like yours yet, or you just want a second opinion before you buy that sofa, reach out. No pressure, no sales pitch. I genuinely love talking about this stuff. You’ll find me on the Contact page, or email me anytime at info@gillanibrothersqatar.com.
Let’s make your place feel like home. Zulqarnain