About
“Man’s basic need throughout history has been acceptance, appreciation and recognition… We are driven by our egos, and being applauded or celebrated for one’s work is the epitome of success. I am happy, proud and honored for being recognized internationally as showing the world what ‘we’ Egyptian women are capable of…”
– Nihal Zaki.
‘I confess; I am a eccentric decorator with a magpie’s eye for all that glitters. I love to mix Gothic and Islamic, Egyptian and Revival, while trying to preserve my sanity. I love vivid colors yet I go through color phases… I am on a mission to deliver ‘happy vivid interiors’ yet I deplore kitchens and Trompe l’oeil and would be content with nothing in my house but a disco ball and a trampoline’.
Nihal Zaki’s rise to international fame was well-deserved and long overdue. After her graduation from Inchbald School of Design London, UK in 1999 ; she founded her interior design and contracting company upon her return to her native town Cairo, Egypt. Her unique designs caught the eyes of customers and critics alike in Egypt and worldwide. The high-end and sophisticated, yet quirky and out-of-the-box designs emitted a matchless sense of style, which garnered her work the respect and admiration of many.
Nihal’s strong character shows in her work, she has adopted a ‘Maximalist’ approach to her interiors and has excelled at doing so. Her latest hospitality project: ‘the Museum’, an exclusive private membership restaurant and club on the banks of the Nile has taken the nightlife in Cairo by storm in 2020 with its baroque inspired interiors and a rather unparalleled maximalist approach.
In her debut years, her career was snowballing to success with her work being featured in the prestigious Andrew Martin International Interior Design Review, along with the world’s top leading designers. This took place three times in 2007, 2010, and 2013.
This was shortly followed by winning a multitude of prestigious awards: one of which is the prominent Africa & Arabia Property Awards in the Interior Design Private Residence category for Egypt with her work for ‘el Karma Residence’. This Award, which is considered a world-renowned mark of excellence, is a testament to Nihal’s intense and extraordinary work, becoming the first EGYPTIAN INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM TO HAVE EVER WON 'THE BEST INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE RESIDENCE IN AFRICA, FOLLOWED BY THE GLOBAL AWARD FOR THE BEST RESIDENCE IN THE WORLD’ at the finals of the International Property Awards that took place in London in 2018, thereby making the portfolio of her work in 'al Karma' Residence the highest ranking score in the world! Having received the 'red plaque' award is an honor like no other as it's the first time EVER in 25 years since the awards started that an Egyptian has managed to snatch that title.
Another international accreditation was her rise to the top 10 finalists ranks at the SBID International Design Excellence Awards in London, UK in 2017 and once again in 2018 representing Egypt for her work in the 'Karma Chinese bathroom' in 2017 followed by her ‘Residence on the Nile’ project in 2018’.
Nihal’s work is famous for utilizing diverse styles, which are all equal in their intensity. From Gothic elements to Islamic motifs, she meticulously crafts designs which are guaranteed to make the strongest of impressions. Bringing together ancient elements with a modern twist, her work is sophisticated, artistic, and delightfully quaint. Her inspiration comes from her own way of viewing art. ”
‘Anything and everything related to the art world inspires me’. Nihal Zaki
Her distinct style not only shows in her interior designs, but also in her contribution in art direction in events styling such as the infamous ‘Nostalgia’ series for Tamarai and ‘el Shagara’ and ‘Eden Garden’ venues for byGanz.
Occasionally, Nihal’s curious work involves sprinkling some of her glitter towards the fashion world, she ends up capturing the same archaic and chic elements of her interior designs and presenting them for fashion; as seen in her recent bold styling for ‘Abla Fahita’.
In addition to her critically acclaimed residential and commercial work, Zaki has ventured into the world of retail and launched ‘NZ’ Showroom in 2015, a furniture and interiors haven specializing in high-end custom furniture made in Egypt with the expertise of a wide range of Egyptian artisans and craftsmen as well as some of the most exquisite antiques and vintage pieces to hit town, handpicked and curated by Zaki herself.
Steadily setting her footprints in the design field in Egypt since 1999, Nihal Zaki’s services vary from interior design consultancy, to mega projects with full fledged contracting services and customized high end furniture to art direction and events styling featuring some of the quirkiest out of the box concepts in town.
