To many people, furniture is synonymous with boredom due to the lack of originality in the local market. But those days are long gone. The latest addition to the number of interior décor stores is Cocoon London, which opened in Mohandiseen last Wednesday. Nowadays, its much easier to find sexy furniture. Hats off to Mustapha Askar, Hazem Kassem and Nadal Badr, co-founders of Spaces Design, who teamed up with Mohamed Fayek to bring HGC International's Cocoon, an Anglo-German chain based in London, to Cairo. Hazem's older brother Ahmed is a silent partner. Founded in 1998, the firm already boasts stores in Italy, France, the UK, Dubai, Hong Kong and Japan. In Cairo, the imported furniture is complemented with the work of local artists and craftsmen, giving the collection a less alien feel. Paintings by Ali Ashour and Magdy El-Kafrawy adorn the walls, splashing them with vibrant color. Adham Bakry photographs hang alongside - the tastefully framed photos capture quintessentially Egyptian scenes which are sure to stir anyone's aesthetic sensibilities. "What is unique about Cocoon, said a passionate Fayek, "is that they put a lot of thought into each creation. Such creativity and attention to detail can indeed be seen in the antelope horn lamps, or the South African ethnic necklaces hanging on walls, framed in gorgeously simple beech wood. Cultures are fused together: European, Asian and African inspirations are all visible. Classics are given a twist: a Louis XV dining table, for example, has been stripped of its ornaments and treated to a high gloss finish. Such items, according to Badr, are all the rage on the old continent. "Re-inventing the old is the latest trend in European interior design he said. This clever juxtaposition of vintage, ethnic, modern and contemporary makes for a visual feast. It also seems remarkably harmonious, for such an eclectic assortment: crudely put, it is a mix rather than a mess. Ultimately, the collection is not extravagant, but distinguished, as simple designs balance more daring ones. Adventurous trendsetters will not be disappointed; neither will those sporting more modest tastes. The target market is predominantly the urban, the cosmopolitan and the young. "Young people set the trends in everything these days, why not interior design as well? said Heba, a 21-year-old bride that was perusing through the gallery for items to decorate her future home. Indeed, the five young partners who collaborated to bring Cocoon to Egypt are all under 30. The cherry on top is that none of the items on display were excessively priced. If you find yourself enamored with a piece, ladies, it does not have to end in heart break-or bankruptcy, gentlemen. While there is no denying that this is an upscale store, it is not extortionate. So while home design aficionados roam around freely for pure viewing pleasure, shoppers can find items priced within their budget. In any case, neither would regret heading to the Cocoon for a visit one afternoon. Cocoon 11 Ibrahim Osman St., Mohandiseen, Cairo
