It takes talent and sensitivity to create a home that truly supports the lives of its residents. CEO and Lead Designer of Flair Egypt, Mohamed Khalifa, has a proven track record of doing just that, over and over again. We asked him for his thoughts on interior design and real estate today.
What types of properties are most popular in the Egyptian real estate market these days?
The real-estate market is seeing strong demand on residential properties, mainly penthouses, townhouses and stand-alone villas located in large-scale developments. As key developers are considering the establishment of new mixed-use closed communities, I expect higher demand on residential complexes motivated by the luxury lifestyle impact and premium facilities.
Which features are important selling points?
I believe that the location, facilities and architectural design, including landscaping, are the key features and main selling points.
As a designer, how do you analyze each client’s needs and guide them to solutions that are both esthetically appealing and practical?
We approach our client’s requirements and needs through a briefing meeting where all ideas are discussed in depth and detail. We provide our clients with a questionnaire that covers each and every aspect related to the design goals to ensure that the client’s preferences are well documented for ease of reference.
Which materials and style features are hot trends at the moment?
Grey is the color of the year; neutral color palettes are still ideal, accentuated by navy blue; it’s the new black! Light-toned woods for floor and wall coverings and minimal open-space concepts are also trendy. The use of natural materials such as marble and stone slate is also very popular this year.
What are the most common mistakes people make when decorating a new property?
One of the most common mistakes people make is that they do not maintain an overall design ambiance. That doesn’t mean your whole home should reflect a particular style, but you should try to maintain a line that flows across the whole design.
Also, most of us are missing storage space by not considering several options, from multipurpose furniture to hidden storage solutions.
Another serious mistake most people make is holding on to items they don’t need or use anymore. These items will either cause clutter or will not fit their style preferences.
Do not be too trend-driven! Definitely, we would like to keep up with the new trends but also, we should invest in design elements that will stand the test of time.
What are your 3 top tips for creating a uniquely personal home?
Maintain an overall ambiance based on your style preference and do not copy someone else’s style. Think of color and lighting as key design elements. Consider both functionality and aesthetics, after all design is not just what it looks like, it’s how it works.
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