Rosemary Marrakech

The first time that Laurence and her husband Ayoub Boualam visited the place, they felt that “it had a soul and they named it after the previous owner, Rose-Marie. Quentin Wilbaux participated in the renovation. At that point “the structure of the riad was completed, and the first wooden elements were installed (doors and windows). We had to redo all the technical installations, but it was actually the perfect scenario, as we had the freedom to do the finishings we envisioned like the walls, the floor or the planting.”

They had a clear vision: “creating a project that showcases Moroccan craftsmanship with a contemporary eye”. They used cedar for the wooden features, plaster carving for some ceilings, and tadelakt for most room walls. “We have acquired a good knowledge about what we can do. This also gave us an opportunity to explore what we could achieve with new materials like wood or plaster. We developed four stained glass doors, and it was incredible to see my drawings translated into coloured glass. The patience of Moroccan artisans was the key to success. They want to share all their knowledge and skills, and are very open to try different approaches.”

The chosen palette in Rosemary also tells a story: “it is a combination of soft tones and more colorful earthy shades. The base is very natural and soft, with the natural tadelakt walls and the travertine floors, but then some elements in the furniture and decoration are more colorful and powerful.”