Cairo-Based Yasmina Makram’s 80s Inspired Makeover of Orman Residence

Perched quietly in Giza, the Orman Apartment is a love letter to a bygone era. Owned by an old couple who moved in during the 1980s, a time when Giza was basking in its prime, the apartment holds stories etched into every texture, art work, and sun-drenched corner.

Tasked with its revamping is Cairo-based designer Yasmina Makram, who was herself born in that same golden decade, a period steeped in nostalgia and emotional memory. Her design is a gentle dialogue between past and present: chinoiserie wallpapers, rounded arches, and reupholstered vintage furnishings come together to echo the soul of the ‘80s while embracing a contemporary sensibility, so as to keep it familiar and comfortable for its residents.

“Orman Garden has always felt like a hidden world tucked next to the zoo on the Giza Plateau,” Makram tells SceneHome. “It is one of the most beautiful gardens in the region. Its ancient trees and tranquil atmosphere stir childhood memories, particularly for those of us who grew up in the heart of Cairo. The zoo area of Orman Gardens holds a special place, evoking deeply nostalgic and endearing moments.”

Golden and glistening, like it had been brushed with honey, the apartment radiated at first glance with the warm glow of the sunlight pouring through the panoramic windows, casting a soft shimmer. Each wall, every corner, carries an intricate detail—individual brushstrokes in a greater spatial composition.

From the large strategically positioned windows, the city reveals itself in quiet layers, the green sprawl of Orman Garden, the dignified dome of Cairo University, and the timeless silhouettes of the pyramids. It’s a view that reads like a timeline, echoing the city’s many lives — much like the apartment itself.

Framed by this view, a delicate table en fer forgé sits beside a sculptural bookcase, encircled by bow-backed chairs that strike a balance between elegance and whimsy. It’s a vignette suspended between memory and modernity, where time seems to slow just enough for coffee, quiet, and reflection.

Channeling an Art Deco spirit, the sculptural walnut bookcase anchors the space — a nod to the 1930s, with its rich burl patterns adding a tactile layer of natural warmth. Each object it holds, from delicate figurines to curated artworks, has been intentionally selected by the design studio. Together, they form a quiet composition where every detail matters, thoughtful, deliberate, and part of a larger, storied whole.

“A defining thread in this project is its deep-rooted connection to a particular moment in time, the spirit of the 1980s. It’s a space shaped by memory, designed to stir a sense of nostalgia and emotional familiarity,” Makram explains. “The concept draws from the distinct energy of that era — its forms, its rhythm, its quiet confidence. In many ways, it embodies our design philosophy: something timeless, something that once was and will always find a way to be.”

“Our strength lies in blending timeless design elements with a modern sensibility,” Makram adds. “We aim to craft spaces that not only captivate visually but also serve with thoughtful function, it’s where beauty meets purpose. At its core, Orman Apartment embodies Yasmina Makram’s ethos: something that was—and will continue to be.”

Marking the threshold into the living room, a dramatic round arch unfurls like a gesture from another time. Its soffit, inlaid with a silver strip, traces the curve with quiet precision. Just beyond, in the corner of the room, an antique Émile Gallé abajour glows softly. With its golden light and delicate leaf motifs, it hums the lyrical elegance of Art Nouveau, casting shadows that shimmer with memory and meaning.

Evoking a subtle botanical presence, and enriching the space without overwhelming, the golden and deep yellow wall papers used throughout the space contribute to the narrative of the design. “The bold wallpaper in the entrance, bathroom, and bedroom we picked to add a delicate touch, perfectly balancing simplicity with opulence. This design choice was deeply informed by our historical research into the era’s defining interior elements,” Makram says.

Wooden accents run like a rhythmic refrain throughout the apartment, wrapping the space in warmth, depth, and quiet nostalgia. Custom oak carreaux flooring unfurls beneath your feet like a toasted beige sea, grounding the rooms with a tactile elegance. But it’s the staircase that commands attention, clad in rich wood and edged with a sleek metal railing. One flight seems to hover mid-air, a theatrical gesture that evokes the era’s love for expressive form, part architectural feature, part daydream.

“I believe talent is the bridge between intuition and intentional design—where gut instinct meets thoughtful logic,” Makram says. “When paired with a sharp creative eye, these elements should flow seamlessly. At the heart of it all is confidence: trusting your vision and having the clarity to carry it through with purpose and precision.”

Photography Credit: Sara Gaafar Studios