The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Home design isn’t new to Zamalek,
where both international and local designers have concept stores and showrooms
opening up left and right. Unfortunately, many shops lack insight when it comes
to incorporating culturally-inspired concepts with their adoration of modern
design, often leaving the place feeling completely out of context.  

Boasting a local-meets-modern design that they infuse into a myriad of options for home furnishings and interior
design, Inside and Out has been around for over seven years. Opening their
first showroom in El Gouna, it wasn’t until recently that they made their way
into Cairo and set up shop above El Ezaby Pharmacy on Zamalek’s Bahgat Ali
Street.

Concentrating on entire concepts as
well as the tiniest of details, the shop’s head designer Yasmine El Narsh
believes that interior design reflects the personality of the space’s owner and
should be created with care.

Ring the bell and the knowledgeable
sales attendant will answer in a moment’s notice. Once inside, it’s nearly
impossible to not get swept up by the glitz and glamour of the entire shop.
If you find yourself tempted to try out a piece of furniture, don’t even
hesitate. With an easy going staff on site, take time to relax and indulge your
craving for design.

The stockroom is organised in display
rooms, while the adjacent hallways are filled with decor pieces, including
oversized metal vases (1700LE) and similar table-top picture frames (690LE).
Blueprinted with their design, the rooms provide ideas for eager decorators and
even for those willing to buy out the entire room. Upholstery and wallpaper
swatches are available if the displayed materials don’t fit your fancy.  

For 22,000LE, a platform bed frame
comes with an uprising headboard made of hand-carved metal tiling. If you’re
looking for antiques, colourful hutches were on display at the time of this
reviewer’s visit; one in particular retailed for 12,900LE.

The current kitchen on display
caught our eye: designed with a progressive minimalism, sleek and simple; it
would have any chef going nuts with desire. While a few of the sitting rooms
conjured up a sense of earthy coolness, one bedroom gave off a hotel room vibe with
its overabundance of coordinating patterns and tones.

Overall, while Inside and Out might have some
unique furniture and accessory options on display, their prices don’t pair and
are most definitely geared towards an upscale clientele. Don’t miss the only
art work on display, including framed pieces of fabric at 1500LE a pop.