No Room For Boredom in This Studio Apartment by Ali Salah Architect

Following the spread of work-from-home as a global phenomenon, it was only a matter of time before clients began to ask for designs that fit precisely those needs. In this Eastown apartment in New Cairo, Ali Salah Architect sought to deliver the owner’s request for an apartment that could simultaneously host guests and work clients by creating practical spaces that look unique from one another.

Salah rarely displayed his designs until he got to this multi-textured studio apartment. Whether it’s residential, commercial or corporate, Ali Salah Architects approach design with a state of mind aimed at combining functionality with aesthetics. “Spaces like the master bedroom, office and open kitchen have a clear modern look that showcases the features we applied,” founder Ali Salah tells #SceneHome. “Each room had a completely different look. Going through them is like taking a stroll through different schools of design.”

One of the bedrooms features massive beech wood beams on the ceiling and a red brick wall with plaster. It features a commode made out of a tree trunk to emphasise its natural approach. The master bedroom, on the other hand, features wallpapers depicting ethereal mountain scenery that exudes serenity. Behind the bed is rugged paint that is highlighted with hidden lights that make for a dramatic time at night, and beneath it is a floor covered with porcelain tiles, using a pattern similar to that of the office’s HDF and the reception’s chevron marble.
“Wood was essential in each space but we only used it to highlight without being overwhelming,” Salah says, referring to the teak and beech wood he used throughout. All of the furniture pieces were manufactured by Salah at his independent workshop, where he customises pieces for his interior design projects. This includes everything from the sofas and office chairs to the curved shelves hung in the reception.

The office, meanwhile, has a smooth russet shade of brown covering its walls as a large window links it to the reception area and its natural stone.

Salah enjoyed picking out each accessory himself, spending weeks to figure out the right fits, and considering the colour palette in each space. “The accessories need to reflect the homeowner, even if it’s the books,” he says. “The feedback was great, he was happy with the design and we’re now working with him on other projects.” As designers work on homes, they get to know their owners and establish a unique friendship that allows them to deliver spaces that reflect their personalities, as well as their needs.

Photography Credit: Essam Arafa