In a small alleyway in the center of Zamalek lies Karakeeb, an inviting shop shock full of a variety of gadgets and gimmicks.
Translated roughly the slang Egyptian word “Karakeeb means clutter, specifically referring to a messy room.
There is a mixture of everything at the shop, ranging from beds, mirrors and desks to things you didn’t realize you needed like wooden spaghetti serving forks that look like African hair combs – a must-have in any home.
Looking around, the place is far from messy as the name might suggests. The small duplex store is well-organized with a combination of contemporary wooden furniture, covered with widgets like Malachite elephants, scaly fish ornaments, beaded bags, knitted pillows and much more.
On the walls are various pieces of art from colorful Buddhas to French vintage-style posters. Also hard to miss are the Rwandan mask hangings.
Many of the offerings are imported, but the main products are locally made of finely carpentered woodwork; their strength being the high quality of the wood along with their practical designs.
Another strength is their very affordable price tags; a refreshing change from the new upscale Egyptian market price.
The choice of using the word “practical to describe the designs is not just another adjective, it is because each piece was well thought out to be useful as well as aesthetically pleasing.
For example, those small tables people drag in front of the couch to have lunch while watching TV have been redesigned. The innovation sees the tables made higher then usual, with leg room which allows the user to sit comfortably without having to lean over as they eat. It can also be useful for laptops.
Another example is a pirate’s chest that has a shoe rack inside it, or a wine rack (that carries up to 16 bottles) that has a removable cover and can be used as a tray.
The beach chairs also have a gimmick. The upholstery can be removed making it easy to change the color and style.
One of my favorites is a wooden attachment you can stick on the arm of a chair or couch to carry your drink.
The big surprise is that the one behind all these innovations is a friend who does it as a hobby, hence the flexible designs. “Every piece is done with heart, one of the owners tells Daily News Egypt.
Each time you enter the shop is like going on a scavenger hunt where you find something new and odd.
Furniture can be custom-made, but if you walk in and want something, their large stock ensures that it can be delivered to your home instantly.
Karakeeb’s grand opening will be in September, but in the meantime it’s open and ready to receive all customers.
Address: 118, 26th of July, Zamalek. Tel: (02) 2736 7610
