The Diverse Minimalism of Egyptian Furnishing Company Studio K

An oversized sofa named after a settlement in Kenya, a bed inspired by Picasso’s cubism, and cane webbing wrapped in a plethora of striking designs make up a flawless selection of home pieces created by Mohamed Kishk, founder of Studio K, the furnishing studio transforming upholstery leathers and linen into vintage designs.

Kishk launched Studio K in 2020 following a diverse career as both a pilot and realtor. He decided to divest his life experiences into furniture pieces, a passion influenced by growing up in a household full of design. “It started out with some sketches which turned into pieces for my own home and the homes of close friends and family,” Kishk tells #SceneHome. “It was important that my work stood out and that I did not jump on the bandwagon of trends.” This is reflected in Studio K’s aesthetic - comfortably minimal with the tiniest hint of rebellion.

The safari bed for example has the essence of travel within its design. “It was inspired by old fashioned leather notebooks, the ones you take on trips for journaling,” says Kishk. Its fusion of cushioned headboard, metal base and leather strap create the complete ‘Safari’ look.

On the other hand, the webbing pieces made of natural cane are far more classical. “Most of the furniture I recall from my childhood had webbing,” he says. Kishk formed an affinity to this vintage technique due to its lightweight aesthetic which offsets the rigid look other materials have on furniture. “It adds texture and intricacy without looking heavy.”

Contrastingly, the vintage webbing is fit into furniture fuelled by contemporary minimalism. “This style is not just a modern counterpoint to minimalism,” he explains. “It is an outlook on life, stressing on the inherent qualities in things over their manifested ones.” This is made evident by the smooth and distinctive furniture designs; a variety of shapes encapsulating cane webbing without unnecessary visual noise.

With eyes set on becoming a household name, Kishk is focused on diversifying his projects (he founded an expressive clothing brand called ‘Wallflower’) while constantly innovating, “My goal is to build a brand that exceeds even my own expectations.”