pedrali furnishes khufu's restaurant overlooking egyptian pyramids

The Immobilia apartments in Cairo offer a unique and immersive experience for travelers seeking an alternative to conventional luxury hotels. Located in the bustling center of Cairo, near Tahrir Square and the Egyptian Museum, the Immobilia building is a historic Art Deco skyscraper, once the tallest in the Middle East and Africa. Constructed between 1938 and 1940 by industrialist Ahmed Abboud Pasha and designed by Max Edrei and Gaston Rossi, the building was a pioneer in modern Egyptian architecture, attracting Cairo's elite with its elegant design and views of the Nile. Today, the building houses four recently renovated apartments, part of the Egypt Beyond portfolio, offering a stay that blends historical charm with contemporary comfort. The apartments, overseen by Ali, a former butler to the American ambassador, provide a distinct Cairene experience. Upon arrival, the building's exterior and dimly lit lobby, flanked by various small businesses, offer little hint of the luxurious and serene spaces within. However, stepping into apartments like "Leila’s Apartment" reveals a hidden sanctuary, a peaceful retreat above the city's din. These spaces are meticulously restored and decorated by lawyer and hotelier Florian Amereller, with contributions from designer Zeina Aboukheir. The interiors honor the building's original Art Deco style while incorporating a mix of antiques, objets d’art, and custom-sourced furniture, reflecting a romanticized vision of the past. The process of furnishing these apartments involved an extensive treasure hunt for unique pieces, utilizing Cairo's network of antique dealers. Leila’s Apartment, named after Egypt's famed singer and actor Leila Mourad, features three bedrooms and multiple living areas with high ceilings, parquet floors, and marble tiles. A light-filled winter garden, complete with a chequered terrazzo floor and a vintage steamer trunk repurposed as a cocktail cabinet, serves as an ideal spot for relaxation and work. A sunny terrace adorned with cacti and desert roses offers an inviting space for evening drinks. The dining areas are furnished with mid-century chairs upholstered in periwinkle moiré silk around a white marble table. The walls display original etchings of Ancient Egyptian heritage sites and works by contemporary Egyptian artists. The guest bedroom includes a 19th-century silver bed from the Royal Abdeen Palace, complemented by ceramic lamps and antique crystal chandeliers. Rich colors are introduced through carpets sourced from Istanbul bazaars and suzanis from Madu, a homeware store in Cairo’s Zamalek neighborhood. The bathrooms are retrofitted to reflect the original mood while incorporating modern amenities, including robust water pressure. Ultra-soft bathrobes from Cairo-based brand Malaika, made from brushed cotton, and hand-embroidered bedding by artisans from Threads of Hope, Malaika's social enterprise, enhance the luxurious experience. Each of the four apartments possesses its own unique personality, unified by a common thread of thoughtful design and comfort. Guests benefit from personalized services, including daily housekeeping, laundry, and the option to arrange for private chefs. Each apartment also comes with a car and chauffeur, facilitating stress-free exploration of Cairo's galleries, bazaars, and cultural sites. Immobilia also provides curated guides with recommendations from local tastemakers, covering everything from neighborhood pizzerias to lesser-known museums and antique dealers. Egypt Beyond plans to expand its offerings within the Immobilia building, with intentions to add more apartments and an Immobilia House, a clubhouse for guests. The Immobilia apartments are tailored for the design-driven traveler seeking an authentic and intimate experience of Cairo, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the city's pulse and live like an inhabitant. This unique hospitality concept offers a hidden sanctuary within the intoxicating city, providing a memorable stay that goes beyond typical tourist accommodations and fosters a deep connection to Cairo’s vibrant culture and history. #CairoTravel #ArtDecoArchitecture #HistoricHotel #LuxuryApartments #EgyptBeyond #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalRenovation #BoutiqueHotel #CulturalImmersion

The article highlights five unique buildings in Downtown Cairo from the Khedive Era, showcasing the city's rich architectural history and the influence of European design. During the reign of Ismail Pasha, Cairo experienced an architectural transformation led by renowned architects and designers, resulting in many impressive structures that blend intricate craftsmanship with diverse styles. The Tiring building, located in Al Ataba Square, is a prime example of this architectural uniqueness. Completed in 1910, its Neo-Baroque design by Austrian engineer Oscar Horwitz features distinctive carvings and a dome crowned with a large ball supported by four statues. This building is one of only three like it globally, making it a significant landmark despite often being overlooked. Another notable structure is Trieste, situated on Alawi Street. Designed by Antonio Lasciac and built in 1911, Trieste showcases a Neoclassical style with elements of local Egyptian architecture and Renaissance influences. This blend made it the first building in Cairo to successfully integrate European and local architectural traditions. Today, it serves as the Central Bank Building. The J. Groppi building, constructed in 1924, is recognized for its historical significance and its association with the iconic Café Groppi, a popular setting for many films. Architect Giuseppe Mazza, a student of Antonio Lasciac, designed the building in a curved shape, combining European aesthetics with an Egyptian spirit and remarkable attention to detail. The building now houses the Greek Club. The Yacoubian building, built in 1937 by Hagop Yacoubian and designed by Architect Jaro Balian, is known for its decorative Art Deco style. It gained further prominence through Alaa El Aswany’s novel and the subsequent film adaptation, which centered around the building's narrative, even though filming did not occur inside it. Finally, the Baehler building, constructed in 1924 by Charles Baehler and designed by French engineer Leo Navelian, consists of six interconnected yet separate buildings, each with its own entrance. Located in the center of Downtown Cairo and separating Talaat Harb and Qasr Al-Nil streets, it is famously considered a smaller-scale replica of Paris's "Rue de Rivoli" street. These buildings collectively offer a glimpse into Cairo's grand past and its architectural evolution during the Khedive Era. #Architecture #Cairo #Culture #DowntownCairo #Egypt #HistoricalBuildings #KhediveEra #ArtDeco #Neoclassical

The article showcases 53, an Asian-fusion restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, designed by ICrave, led by founder and CEO Lionel Ohayon. Located at the base of Ateliers Jean Nouvel’s 53 West 53 residential tower, adjacent to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the restaurant aims to provide an immersive dining experience that transcends mere culinary satisfaction. Ohayon emphasizes the concept of a “yummy” room, where a harmonious blend of lighting, acoustics, materiality, layout, visual impact, and a sense of discovery compels diners to return. The restaurant was recognized as a 2022 Best of Year Winner for Fine Dining. The 11,000-square-foot space is divided into a street-level bistro and a subterranean main dining room. Jean Nouvel’s architectural design, characterized by angular beams, allows for expansive column-free areas and intimate dining zones. Given its proximity to a world-renowned contemporary art museum, ICrave approached the project not as traditional interior design but as a sculptural or painterly endeavor. This artistic philosophy is evident in the restaurant's most prominent feature: three dozen giant curving fins that span the entire width of the space. These fins emerge from the street-level ceiling, cascade down in front of the bistro, sweep underneath, and wrap around the ceiling of the main dining room. Each fin is edged with a bright stripe, featuring nine neon-like colors derived from the Nine-Dragon Wall reliefs found in Chinese imperial palaces. These hues also subtly reference the diverse Asian cultures represented in the menu and the modern art displayed at MoMA. The restaurant plans to host a rotating selection of fine art in collaboration with the Friedrich Petzel Gallery. The fin installation, glossy black on one side and sepia-toned on the other, creates a lenticular effect as guests move through the restaurant or view it from the sidewalk. Ohayon describes the installation as both a loom and a veil, with its vibrant colors attracting attention from passersby and directing their gaze to the aerial arrangement of tables, banquettes, and chairs set on an ink-wash carpet, which features subtle smokey grays echoing Nouvel’s steel construction. Ohayon highlights the importance of creating a unique piece of the city's landscape, fostering memories for visitors and a sense of place for residents. The sculptural architectural gesture draws inspiration from the Chinese artistic principle of xieyi, emphasizing broad, expressive strokes and representing the chi or energy flow within 53. In contrast, the principle of gongbi, which focuses on realism and fine detail, guided the selection of decor elements. For example, the colors from the fin edges are subtly echoed in the precious stones used as chopstick rests. Lighting, a critical component of the "yummy" atmosphere, was developed in collaboration with Licht, ICrave's in-house studio. The main dining room features cove lighting, slender cylindrical pendant fixtures that adjust with ceiling height variations, and circular sconces softly illuminating the ecru suede-like walls. An ethereal cluster of small LEDs forms a twinkling cloud above the bar. All lighting elements emit 2,600 Kelvins, complemented by rechargeable Japanese table lights, creating a warm, cinematic glow. The material palette emphasizes honesty and natural finishes, including stone bar counters, white oak paneling, leather banquette upholstery, and wool rugs. The deliberate juxtaposition of warm and cool tones reinforces the duality of hard and soft, grand and humble, evident throughout the design. Lionel Ohayon personally led the design of this project, finding it a creatively cathartic and rewarding opportunity to shape New York City's landscape. He aimed for an expression that aligns with its location next to MoMA, showcasing exuberance with mature restraint, moving away from what he perceived as a "Brooklyn-ification" of Manhattan's design aesthetic. ICrave's extensive experience in hospitality design, spanning over 20 years, allowed them to create a restaurant interior that honors its cuisine without resorting to pastiche, understands its contextual importance, and is as delightful as the food it serves. #RestaurantDesign #InteriorDesign #MidtownManhattan #ICrave #FineDining #ArchitecturalSculpture #LightingDesign #AsianFusion #LuxuryHospitality

Wuji Studio designed 'Rêver • 玥', a modern French cuisine restaurant situated on the south bank of the Pearl River in Guangzhou, China. The name 'Rêver', which means 'to dream' in French and resembles 'river' in spelling, and '玥', a Chinese mythical reference to a sacred pearl in the sky, embody the restaurant's tribute to the celebrated Pearl River. This river has historically nurtured a vast range of quality ingredients and heavily influenced local cuisine, providing the foundational inspiration for the restaurant's concept and design. The interior design by Wuji Studio features a modern and minimal aesthetic, incorporating details that directly reference the Pearl River. The seating arrangement is meticulously planned at different levels, mirroring terraced fields found along a river, ensuring that all guests can enjoy a 180-degree panoramic view of the river and the vibrant Guangzhou skyline. The chosen color palette draws inspiration from the river's constantly changing hues, creating a tranquil and soothing ambiance throughout the space. White marble on the floor is patterned to evoke the movement of flowing water, further reinforcing the aquatic theme. A prominent design element is the reflective ceiling, which mimics a river surface and connects visually with the sky through expansive windows, creating a dynamic and interesting visual effect that enhances the overall atmosphere. The restaurant's design extends beyond aesthetics to its operational model, particularly with its open kitchen concept. This design choice allows patrons to observe the preparation of various dishes, elevating cuisine to an art form. The entire restaurant is conceptualized to function similarly to an art museum, where the service team acts as 'tour guides.' They share narratives behind each dish, including the origins and selection of ingredients, enriching the dining experience. Guests are also offered the unique opportunity for a chef-led kitchen visit, enabling them to exchange opinions and gain a closer insight into the creation of these culinary 'works of art.' Curved alcoves within the restaurant provide semi-private sofa seating areas, designed to evoke the winding channels of a river, enhancing intimacy and comfort. The overall restaurant overview features an art chandelier at its center, which is designed to mimic water drops, directly responding to the central theme of the Pearl River. This thoughtful integration of natural elements and cultural references creates a cohesive and immersive dining environment, reflecting both the elegance of French cuisine and the rich heritage of the Pearl River. The project demonstrates a sophisticated blend of architectural design, interior detailing, and operational philosophy to create a unique culinary destination. The materials, colors, and spatial arrangements are all harmonized to celebrate the natural beauty and cultural significance of the Pearl River, providing a memorable experience for guests while offering stunning views of the Guangzhou cityscape. The collaboration between the design team and the restaurant's concept ensures a seamless integration of aesthetic and functional elements, reflecting a deep appreciation for both nature and gastronomy. #RestaurantDesign #WujiStudio #ReflectiveCeiling #PearlRiver #GuangzhouArchitecture #ModernFrenchCuisine #OpenKitchenConcept #InteriorDesignChina

Designer Omar Chakil has unveiled his new 17-piece furniture and objects collection, "Transcendence," currently on display at Galerie Gastou during PAD Paris. The collection is characterized by its use of luxurious stones, including marble and Egyptian alabaster, and draws inspiration from ancient Egyptian animal deities, reinterpreting them with a modern aesthetic. Chakil’s design philosophy aims to transcend mere functionality, elevating each piece into a collectible work of art that tells a story and evokes a narrative. Key pieces in the collection include the Uraeus Birth Chair and the Scarab coffee table. The Uraeus Birth Chair, a reinterpretation of an earlier work, features the silhouette of an upright hooded cobra, a symbol of divine power and protection in ancient Egypt. The Scarab coffee table is designed to resemble the plated exoskeleton of the scarab beetle, an ancient Egyptian symbol of rebirth, resurrection, and transformation. Both pieces exemplify Chakil’s approach to blending historical symbolism with contemporary design, utilizing materials that highlight their inherent beauty and versatility. Another notable item is Nubia, a capsule-shaped monolithic totem with carved, niche-like shelves. This piece, originally designed for an exhibition at Cairo's Le Lab gallery, showcases the striated composition of alabaster onyx and is named after the ancient region along the Nile River. The Sobek bench, with its gently curved form and marble base adorned with subtle hieroglyphs, mimics the fossilized tail of a Nile crocodile. These pieces demonstrate Chakil's commitment to using indigenous Egyptian materials and historical references to create distinctive and meaningful designs. In addition to larger furniture, the collection also features a series of containers inspired by the canopic jars used by ancient Egyptians for mummification. Chakil describes these colorful vessels as intended to store "unfulfilled hopes and dreams for the afterlife," each with an aerodynamic lid symbolizing potential velocity through time and space. This imaginative concept further underscores the collection's theme of transcendence and narrative depth, moving beyond practical storage to a more philosophical engagement with objects. Chakil’s work reflects his multicultural background, having been raised and trained in France, Egypt, and Lebanon. His return to Egypt in 2019 spurred his focus on alabaster onyx, a material he aims to popularize in contemporary art and interior design. The exhibition at PAD Paris marks his first collaboration with Galerie Gastou, which, under the direction of Victor Gastou, sought to create a setting that evokes the afterlife rituals of pharaohs, surrounding the pieces with a scenography designed by architect Matthieu Poirier-Lauvin to echo the monumental architecture of ancient Egypt. This curated presentation enhances the thematic depth of Chakil’s collection, creating an immersive experience for visitors. #OmarChakil #StoneFurniture #EgyptianGods #PADParis #CollectibleDesign #Marble #Alabaster #GalerieGastou #ContemporaryDesign

Italian furniture brand Meridiani has unveiled its latest collection of dining tables, named Plinto, as part of its Editions series. This collection is distinguished by its sculptural design, offering a versatile range of shapes, sizes, and finishes to cater to diverse aesthetic preferences and interior styles. The core design element of the Plinto collection is its plinth-like metal base, which is available in two sophisticated finishes: matt black and bronzed brass. This robust base provides the fundamental framework for the tables, ensuring stability and a strong visual presence. Supporting the metal base are solid marble tops, which are a hallmark of luxury and durability. The collection provides a wide array of options for the tabletop's shape, including classic circular, rectangular, and square forms, as well as a distinctive octagonal design, allowing for various spatial configurations and design statements. Beyond shape, the Plinto tables offer an extensive selection of finishes for the tabletop. Customers can choose from opulent marble varieties such as Calacatta gold, known for its rich veining; Emperador brown, celebrated for its warm, deep tones; and Marquina black, which offers a striking contrast and modern appeal. In addition to marble, the collection features different shades of wood, providing natural warmth and texture, and various colors in lacquered finishes, which add a contemporary touch and a smooth, polished look. According to Meridiani, the design philosophy behind Plinto centers on an interplay of solids and voids. This concept is brought to life through the combination of the light structured metal bases with the substantial volumes of the tabletops, whether they are crafted from marble, wood, or lacquered materials. This approach allows for a dynamic and visually interesting furniture piece that can seamlessly integrate into various dining environments, from minimalist to more elaborate settings. The versatility extends to the base itself; the plinth-like metal structure can be either fully or partially covered by a solid block of material, further enhancing the sculptural quality and customization options of the tables. The entire Plinto collection is designed by Andrea Parisio, who has served as Meridiani's head designer and art director since the brand's inception. His consistent vision ensures that the collection embodies Meridiani's commitment to elegance, quality, and timeless design. Furthermore, all products within the Plinto collection are proudly 100 percent made in Italy, reflecting the brand's dedication to traditional craftsmanship and high-quality manufacturing standards. This commitment to Italian production guarantees authenticity and superior attention to detail in every piece. Meridiani, based in northern Italy, continues its tradition of creating sophisticated and functional furniture for contemporary living spaces. The Plinto collection stands as a testament to the brand's ability to combine classic materials with modern design principles, offering pieces that are both artful and practical. The range of choices in materials, shapes, and finishes allows clients to customize their dining tables to perfectly suit their individual tastes and interior design schemes, making the Plinto collection a significant addition to the brand's esteemed portfolio of furniture. This launch reinforces Meridiani’s position as a leader in high-end Italian furniture design, providing discerning customers with beautiful, durable, and versatile dining solutions. #Meridiani #PlintoCollection #DiningTables #FurnitureDesign #ItalianDesign #MarbleFurniture #AndreaParisio #LuxuryFurniture #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor

DervishMazza, an intimate dinner spot in North Minneapolis, offers a unique culinary experience crafted by Chef Mohamed Kotb. The establishment, which began with takeout and delivery in early 2020 and later introduced reservation-only patio dining, is a reflection of Kotb's extensive hospitality background, including over 30 years as a bartender in Minneapolis, New York City, and Egypt. DervishMazza evolved from Kotb's previous role as an Eatwith host, focusing on providing a personal and culturally rich dining atmosphere rather than a traditional restaurant setting. The concept emphasizes warmth, hospitality, and a sense of community, mirroring the exchanges and generosity prevalent in Egyptian culture. Kotb's five-course menu is a curated journey through his Egyptian heritage and diverse travels across Europe and the Mediterranean. A signature dish, the Silk Road hummus, exemplifies this fusion, incorporating sundried tomatoes and Thai chilies alongside traditional chickpea and tahini bases, symbolizing European, Asian, and Middle Eastern influences. Other notable dishes include muhammara and turkey thigh koftas, artichoke hearts with preserved lemon, and falafel served with toasted seeds. The dining experience begins with an anise-kissed arak aperitif and concludes with lemon sorbet, creating a well-rounded and thoughtfully structured meal. Kotb's culinary philosophy is deeply rooted in his personal journey and an open-minded approach to ingredients and flavors. He explains that his mother, aunts, and sisters taught him traditional Egyptian cooking, which he then adapted and enriched through his exposure to different cultures and cuisines during his travels. This blending of influences results in dishes that are both familiar and innovative. For example, his take on baba ganoush incorporates a tamarind sauce, inspired by a ginger beer-like elixir, adding unique salinity and umami to the roasted eggplant. The genesis of DervishMazza was spurred by Kotb's desire for creative fulfillment and a pivot in his career. After nearly two decades at Tilia, he left to pursue his passion for cooking through Eatwith and a planned Airbnb venture. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 unexpectedly shut down these avenues, prompting him to focus on DervishMazza's takeout service, which quickly gained support. The expansion to reservation-only patio dining later allowed Kotb to fully realize his vision of a communal and engaging dining experience. The emphasis on personal connection and generosity is a cornerstone of DervishMazza. Kotb views guests not merely as customers but as individuals invited into his home, often greeting them personally and offering homemade za'atar as a token of appreciation. This ethos extends to community interactions, such as exchanging food with neighbors, a practice he highlights as integral to his Egyptian upbringing. A recent catering event for Senator Amy Klobuchar, where excess food was intentionally provided for leftovers, further illustrates this commitment to generosity and fostering lasting impressions. Kotb believes that food, much like human relationships, thrives on diverse elements coming together to create a unique and meaningful connection. #DervishMazza #MohamedKotb #PatioDining #MinneapolisFood #EgyptianCuisine #MediterraneanFood #CulinaryExperience #RestaurantReview #FoodCulture