Cartouche: A Blend of Ancient Inspiration and Modern Functionality

Kholoud Bassim's Award-Winning Design Fuses Egyptian Heritage with Contemporary Lifestyle

Cartouche stands out with its unique properties. The dress form, an item of furniture on which clothes may be hung, is designed to aid in efficient dressing. It allows the user to not only pick out an entire outfit but also to lay it out in a manner that makes dressing quick and efficient. The design also includes a shelf for aroma sticks to add a pleasant smell to the clothes and a mirror framed with a cartouche design for checking outfits.

The design realization of Cartouche is a testament to Bassim's attention to detail and craftsmanship. The main material used is beech wood and wood veneer, which is used for the mirror frame and the ottoman form. The ottoman seating is made from green velvet material, and the mannequin form is created from a steel frame, marked with the help of a laser engraving machine.

The design's dimensions are Width 1300 x Depth 400 x Height 1750 mm, making it a versatile piece that can fit into various spaces. The design tags associated with Cartouche include Egyptian, mannequin, Pharaonic, Dress form, Valet stand, butler stand, dresser, Multifunctional, and dressing form, reflecting its multifaceted nature.

Cartouche is designed to be user-friendly. It can be used to hang clothes to keep them in shape and to prepare a complete outfit and accessories for the day ahead. The project started in November 2018 in Cairo, Egypt, and was completed in March 2019.

The design research for Cartouche was more philosophical than technical. The aim was to revive the marvelous ancient Egyptian design and blend it with modern simplicity, creating a timeless furniture piece for everyday use in residential spaces. The biggest challenge was to create a unique, contemporary functional Pharaonic design that revives Ancient Egyptian culture.

Cartouche has been recognized for its innovative design and has been awarded Silver in A' Furniture Design Award in 2019. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.