WHEN WE EAT, AT VILLA MAGENTA: Rediscovering the Rhythm of Slow Living
Written by Menna El Badry Photos by Aziz
There are corners of Cairo where time softens, the day stretches with a gentle pace, and the light seems to linger before slipping behind a balcony or an arch. This November, during Cairo Design Week’s third edition, that softness returned to Heliopolis, settling into the garden of Villa Magenta in a nine-day ode to la vita lenta, the Italian way of savoring the hours rather than rushing through them.
From the moment guests stepped past the wrought-iron gate, the garden felt like a memory resurfacing. An imperial bronze fountain murmured of classical Rome, surrounded by whiffs of jasmine drifting through the air like a faint recollection of old verandas. Vintage chairs, floral parasols, and pockets of shade invited visitors to slow their pace, take a breath, and be present.
Mornings carried quiet rituals: the first sip of caffè, the rustle of a printed page, the grounding calm of a moment taken before the day demanded attention. By afternoon, the garden slipped into a hush Cairo rarely allows, where a mid-day brew or a shaded bench could lift the weight of the day. As the evening settled in, the garden gathered people together almost instinctively. A soft gazebo for Cairo Design Week visitors to share what they’d seen and experienced, letting conversations bloom with the fading light.
Every detail echoed the ease of old Heliopolis without tipping too much into nostalgia. Instead, the space felt present, lived-in, and timeless. The bronze fountain by Atef Wassef, soft fabrics from Design Emporium, and floral umbrellas from Daghash Group outfitted the garden in Italian style. Mosha Rentals shaped the place into a constellation of intimate pockets, each corner its own small world. In vintage two-wheeled carts parked around the garden, Amorino’s gelato added a silk-smooth note of indulgence, Dancing Goat brewed coffee that tasted like unrushed moments, and Florabel’s bouquets traveled home with guests, prolonging the feeling after they had left. Even Khattab’s vintage daily paper became part of the landscape. A bespoke soundscape by Audio Technology offered an atmosphere that felt less curated and more remembered. WHEN WE EAT at Villa Magenta turned the garden into a live experience rather than a simple backdrop.
What lingered strongest throughout the week was the feeling, the subtle shift in tempo that unfolded when a place and a community collectively chose to slow down. The scent of jasmine. The rippling sound of the fountain. The hum of chatter carried by the breeze. These small details stitched together a harmonious serenity rarely felt in the hustle and bustle of Cairene streets.
Across the week, this world of ease became the frame for a series of signature events, including ‘Sense of Materials’, a hands-on workshop led by Silvia Gallotti of Gallotti&Radice, exploring rare finishes and innovative techniques with a tactile curiosity. A range of delicate bites from KB’s Cakestudio, inspired by the leading italian brand’s signature glass designs, added a gentle sweetness to the afternoon.
WHEN WE EAT at Villa Magenta was not intended as a spectacle or an installation, but an invitation to connect. To notice the color of the afternoon light. To savor the sweetness of rich gelato. To sit a little longer. To taste a little deeper. To breathe.
