“My design comfort zone is very uncomfortable for some people,” says the Egyptian interior designer Hala Saleh. “Hopefully my Cairo home shows that it’s actually a safe place and encourages others to push their boundaries, too.” In the verdant enclave of Katameya Heights, cushioned from the cacophony of life in Egypt's capital city, Saleh has fashioned an expansive yet warm home that fuses creative vision and architectural acuity.
The striking façade blends contemporary lines with subtle nods to classical motifs, welcoming visitors with an air of understated luxury. Inside, the Cairo home unfolds like a carefully choreographed ballet of spatial elements, underpinned by midcentury design principles. The interior design is characterised by a delicate balance of spacious, light-suffused areas and intimate alcoves, with strategically placed windows creating myriad connections to the lush landscaping beyond. Open spaces flow effortlessly from one room to another, allowing the eye to wander and appreciate the curated treasures that await within.
Every element, no matter how utilitarian, has been used as an opportunity for creative expression. The house is anchored by a grand staircase that commands attention, its sculptural balustrade framing the ascent and drawing the eye upward. At each turn, the stairwell unveils a new perspective, a play of shadows and light that adds a dynamic element to the space.
A marriage of indoor and outdoor living plays out artfully in the design, with the garden and pool deck strategically positioned opposite the façade to create a connection to the comings and goings inside this Cairo home. Here, folding glass doors open entirely to the outside, and the seating areas of each zone merge to create a single large space for socialising. Among the landscaping, ample nooks double as spaces for meditation or quiet corners for reading.
Throughout, the founder of TDF+ has sought to balance the nuances of traditional Egyptian culture with the international influences that have shaped her family’s way of living. “I didn’t approach this merely from an aesthetic angle,” she explains, “but more as a collection of ways of living from around the world that impacted how this house would function.” The look is undeniably captivating, but Saleh’s commitment to functionality is equally impressive. It formed the core of the building’s six-year construction odyssey, which saw her challenge the status quo of interior design in Egypt. As a result, her home is a testament to practical luxury: from cosy seating arrangements to multifunctional pieces, every detail asserts the designer’s dedication to creating a space that is not just visually appealing, but also liveable. Case in point? A retractable TV in the living room disappears into the floor when not in use.
Defying the dominance of muted palettes, Saleh has fearlessly embraced colour – despite having detractors in this regard. Her offbeat choice of an eggshell-blue interior was challenged by many on her design team. She describes it as a “soft yet masculine colour of midcentury-modern significance”, and used it to provide a warm canvas for her prized collection of art and furniture, and as a foil for the house’s statement staircase and boldly irregular brown exterior.
Here, art and artefacts are not just accessories but a vital component of the home’s identity. The walls of the residence serve as a canvas for an eclectic collection that contributes to the overall narrative of the space. “A lot of the pieces are vintage because I like things that have depth,” Saleh explains. “I enjoy having things that were owned by other people and used in different eras. Every single piece in my house has a memory attached to it.”
In the heart of the living space is a Pharaonic-inspired ceiling mural exploring ideas of abundance and giving. This commitment to cultural heritage is not just a style choice, but also a deliberate act of storytelling, enriching the home with layers of symbolism and positivity. Saleh adds: “I wanted to make everybody that visits this home feel welcome and hosted, and to feel like whatever we have on our table is shared with everybody else.”
