Sarah Guirguis If you know about Kai Signatures, you probably recognize it for its beautiful, contemporary home collections and trendy statement pieces. What makes this brand stand out is the mastery of putting together the right colours, textures and patterns to create a mood you will most definitely want to live in. Some products they design and manufacture, while other pieces are offered in collaboration with international and local brands and artists. We talked to co-founder Hend El Kahhal to learn more about the inner workings of her field and her personal tips when it comes to home decor.
How did Kai Signatures come about in the beginning?
I had been working in this field for quite some time and I knew all about classic carpets because it is my family’s business. My brother, Mohamed El Kahhal, and I decided to branch out and come up with more contemporary designs that better suited our friends and the modern generation. After that, we thought we could expand by offering more furniture that complemented the rugs, like sofas, tableware, lighting, artwork, accessories and wallpaper.
What does ‘Kai Signatures’ stand for?
I wanted a brand name that resembled Cairo and then I researched and found that the word ‘Kai’ had some Pharaonic roots to it, as well, so it just clicked and I liked how it sounded.
What elements define your style and make you unique in the market?
We really focus on fresh, contemporary design concepts and we like to provide customers value for their money. Our collections are just the right balance between trends and timeless elegance. More than that, it’s the aesthetic and seamless combination of elements that we offer. We focus on selling a style more than individual products; it’s more about the bundle of products that comes together and produces a certain mood.
Where do you normally find inspiration for statement pieces?
Inspiration is everywhere. In Egypt, we live in a very rich culture and we were brought up in a variety of different genres. You have the traditional Islamic Cairo and then Downtown Cairo, which is more influenced by European and neoclassical styles. We also have the Pharaonic culture, which happens to be the source of the art deco movement. All of these examples have in some way shaped our creative process. Of course, there is also travel, nature, museums and art galleries – all of which are great sources of inspiration.
Are you following any design trends these days?
We’ve noticed that people are always leaning towards comfortable sofas, for example, so we build a whole collection of furniture just based on that. The younger generation is definitely more interested in more contemporary and functional pieces. They want products that they can clean easily – good quality but not high maintenance.
What type of challenges are you facing in this field right now?
Now that there are no open channels for physical face-to-face communication, of course that makes our process harder. In April, there’s usually this big worldwide furniture fair held in Milan and it’s a great opportunity for us to keep an eye out for the newest trends and find inspiration for new design concepts. Since it was cancelled and postponed to next year, that could potentially cause a lag in our business.
What do you have in mind for upcoming collections?
Right now, we’re obviously more focused on locally-manufactured products. For upcoming collections, we’re leaning towards a theme of contemporary art deco.
Do you have any tips for someone who would like to remodel or redecorate a room at home?
Make sure to actually buy items that you really like, not something that fits whatever everyone else thinks. It can tell stories of your travel, for example. You can build a whole room based on a small souvenir you bought from abroad. Try your best to make it very personal and pay attention to all the little details because that’s the space you’re going to live in. It has to be comfortable for you and carry the vibes that you want. There are no right or wrong answers, whether you go for a calm, zen, monotone style or something completely vibrant and full of color. Don’t be afraid of mixing different patterns, colours and materials, like wood, stone and metal. As long as you’re happy with it and you love the pieces that you buy, you’re doing it right.
