Yasmina Makram Designs a Mediterranean Summer House for Family Life

Three generations of one family, from grandchildren to grandparents, are the inspiration for this showcase villa on the Mediterranean coast of Marsa Baghush. Egyptian studio Yasmina Makram designed the space in collaboration with Shehab A. Mazhar Developments. The three-story home sits on the beachfront, with sea views from every angle.

Each floor of the home was designed around family, nurturing the idea that people get their own space but still end up in the same rooms. On the ground floor, an older family member’s bedroom opens onto a communal living area, so they are never far from everyone else.

“By choosing the ground floor as the safe haven for the older generation in the family, we give them ease, convenience and access, without sacrificing their inclusion within the family unit,” says Yasmina Makram Ebeid, founder and head designer. The living room with the TV was moved upstairs, along with anything else that could disturb their quiet time.

Beyond the bedrooms, the house is built for being together. Living and dining areas are expansive, and each of the three floors has a living area of its own. The kitchen is fully functional but kept out of sight. Outside, the private garden has its own bar and a compact dining area, so meals can move between the indoors and outdoors.

A priority was placed on Egyptian craftsmanship. “In true alignment with our enduring ethos, the interiors were designed to pay homage to Egypt’s rich artisanal heritage," says Makram Ebeid. "Adorned with locally sourced materials, exquisite Egyptian tiling, native textiles, and sculptural lighting, every corner honours our Egyptian traditions.”

Living area carpets were sourced by hand-knotted rug maker Kahhal 1871. Handcrafted furniture maker Bamboo Al-Assiouty provided the mirrors for the project. Textiles for furniture came from Akhmim Textiles.

Much of the design relies on the past. The studio calls on nostalgia, the feeling of stepping into a time when summer homes gathered the whole extended family under one roof. Pools were not a given in those houses, and at Marsa Baghush the beach is a few steps away, so there is no need for a pool here. The space went to the garden instead.

Outside, the villa’s garden is laid out as a circle, with a path running through it featuring small pockets of privacy along the way. It has a bar, a dining area and a spot for afternoon lounging, furnished with Yasmina Makram’s Summer Moon collection.

“By introducing a striking circular outdoor space and an intuitive pathway connecting the layout, the mockup effortlessly adapts, balancing its role as an intimate family sanctuary with its potential as an expressive venue for entertainment,” Makram Ebeid explains.

Landscape was an essential element for both teams, and the plants were handpicked together by the studio and the developer’s team. Shehab Mazhar’s Botanic Garden brought its expertise in plant selection.

It all comes back to summer. “It’s no secret that the pace of life has become exceedingly fast and busy, and summer is the opportune time to unwind,” Makram Ebeid says. The mockup was designed around connection, fluid adaptability and accessibility, with the aim of reviving the classic summer home as a place where the whole family spends real time together.