Words by Allegra Salvadori | Photographs by Sara Gaafar
When Studio X founders Mahmoud El Naggar and Tarek Ayman first visited the Marassi Marina site, in the North Coast of Egypt, the Mediterranean greeted them with a sunset so powerful it became the project’s soul. “The view and that sunset glow just created an ambience that was too strong to be ignored,” they recall. From that moment, Ombre Del Mar—literally “shades of the sea”—was conceived as a home inspired by the shifting tones of horizon, sky, and water.
The design language flows with gradient effects, breezy palettes, and light that moves across surfaces like a living horizon. In the reception, custom ombré curtains filter daylight into semi-transparent waves, while in the master bedroom, a straw marquetry headboard echoes the shoreline’s layered hues. “Natural light was treated as a design material,” the founders explain, ensuring that the family would always feel connected to sea and sky.
Balancing openness with intimacy was a challenge. The clients, originally from the Gulf, sought both privacy and the comfort of walking barefoot—a cultural tradition. Rare in Egyptian homes, moquette flooring was combined with warm-toned wood to create zones of softness and durability.
Beyond the structural choices, Studio X enriched the interiors with vibrant textiles, sculptural ceramics, and hand-blown glass accents. Custom mirrors reflect the marina’s light and expand perception, while glass pendants and sconces refract daylight into fluid, sea-like tones. Together, these layers of craftsmanship bring warmth and artistry to a bright, tranquil retreat.
At its heart, the reception corner—with panoramic views, ombré curtains, and wood cladding—captures the essence of Ombre Del Mar: gradient, coastal, tranquil. More than a summer home, it is a design narrative where tradition and horizon meet, and where every sunset becomes part of the architecture.
