About the Founders

My Design Ethos

Every product begins with inspiration, a thought, a feeling or a need.
A glimmer of an idea might come from a period film, a book we found in a beautiful bookstore, vintage dishware or the print of a well-loved pillowcase. From my travels, I collect pictures, artifacts, and memories that open my mind to new possibilities. I combine design elements from different cultures and treasures from the furthest reaches of the globe with modern elements of pop culture to create truly unique products. Throughout my career, I have devised and utilized many methods of tile and product design. Innovation and dedication to design-authorship is one of the great rewards—and obligations—that belong to me as product designer. However, in my experience, no machine or other mechanized form of tile production has ever been able to replicate the beauty, richness and unmistakable uniqueness of handmade. Real people are the real makers through their variations and imperfections, which foster a human connection often missing in our industry. I feel it is critically important that we preserve the craft of hand-making surfaces by creating opportunities for the artists who do it and by cultivating an appreciation for their talents and techniques. I seek to create stone and ceramic surfaces that break all the rules by reimagining the current language of tile design from singular shape repetitions to organic textures of repetitive graphic patterns with depth perspective geometry and line.

Education
Omar has an AA from Long Beach City College in Interior Design combined with 2 years of Architecture at Orange Coast College and continuously expands his knowledge by learning up-to-date software programs that enable his ability to design and apply the latest technology to every one of his design projects.

Early Stages
Omar’s career started in 1997 right out of design school taking a job as sales/design representative in Long Beach CA, at the early stages of his career Omar worked for Pour La Maison, Walker Zanger, and Mission Tile West all very high end tile retailers known for their unique and artisanal products. These early experiences helped him develop a keen appreciation and understanding of handmade ceramics and exquisite natural stone finishes.

Entrepreneurial Drive
He started on a professional journey focused on architectural and product sourcing, during the early years of his career Omar realized that the industry lacked the more personalized project based material sourcing service, and that most designers and even architects lacked the knowledge in technical design and usage, that along with his ability to draft and create beautiful detailed perspective drawings led Omar to create Creative Basics his projects ranged from majestic million-dollar residential homes to multi-unit luxury developments.

The Beginning
Omar was one of a two-man design team based at Custom Floors/Marble Systems to design and renovate the West LA showroom. What started as a temporary short-term project turned into a 10-year tenure, quickly promoted to Creative Director taking responsibility for all product selection, showroom design and expansion.

Showroom Design and Construction
Omar was over all aspects of showroom design and construction, he designed and renovated 9 showrooms across the United States with New York City being the last showroom and a brand flagship. As facility designer he was responsible for all phases of renovating from design concept, retail and office space planning, merchandise display designs including custom tile display mechanisms, applying for construction and hiring vetting construction firms, and supervising construction on the daily bases.

Creative Director/Product Design
During the 8 years as creative director he conceptualized and materialized 22 successful product collections ranging from natural stone, glass, ceramic and porcelain (the most under-used custom-order category), collectively generating over 16 million dollars in sales. When Omar took over as Creative Director Custom Floors was solely importing and selling, he was a key element in developing and setting up a production plant in Chantilly VA. Recruiting talent and vetting material suppliers in Mexico and Europe, Custom Floors started digitizing tile and quickly entered into the digital printing category. He was instrumental in training local talent to understand western aesthetics and the art of the arabesque. As creative director Omar learned the business of global sourcing and developed a network of factories and artisanal studios worldwide.

Omar managed a team of in-house designers, marketing experts, lab technicians and production department managers, always pushing the team to fully explore and expand their technical and creative capacities. He is the brainchild of many marketing campaigns and creative storytelling behind most creative visuals and marketing literature for all his designs. Omar is a hands-on type of designer and values hard work, thinking and constructive criticism.

CasaSYMARI
Omar joined forces with industry icon Sylvie Atanasio to create a brand that materializes all their design curiosities and explores the boundaries between stone and wood. CasaSYMARI speaks to those searching for unique experiences. We strive to design products with soul and purpose.