Marrakech: Guest House Design

Well here it is.  The design of our little guest house in Marrakech.  Dear architect husband crafted it so carefully, and I am thinking (hoping!) that it will be a lovely place for visitors to stay. 

The guest house will be approximately 1350 square feet.  There will be two bedrooms, each about 400 square feet.   The bedrooms will have a fireplace (so romantic...)and a seating area (which may double for  the needs of a sleeping child).  The bedroom ceilings will be a little more than 12 feet high - nice and airy.  Bathrooms, of course, with quite large showers (I would love rain shower heads).  Between the two bedrooms will be a small great room about 550 square feet with a ceiling 16.5 feet high.  Yet another fireplace in the great room with seating for several people looking out on the garden (and hopefully a small private pool, once we have saved our pennies).  There will also be a small kitchen.  Over each guest room will be a private, spacious terrace with a pergola and climbing, flowering bougainvillea.  There guests can enjoy their breakfast  overlooking Morocco's Atlas mountains, spend a few hours sunning themselves and reading, or have a glass of wine or a cocktail in the evening while watching the sunset over the olive grove.  The exterior will be sand colored, not white.  A sort of desert house in an oasis. Can you picture it?

The idea is that the guest house may be rented in its entirety.  Alternatively, a room may be rented with or without the private great room.  Bedrooms will have their own entrances from the garden.  We wanted a design that could be flexible and cater to the needs of families or couples. I personally think that it would be perfect for a large family, two couples traveling together, or honeymooners (ah, young love).  Or two best friends who wanted to treat themselves.

Look at that distinctive roof, not uncommon in Morocco and so beautiful; it will be covered with hand made deep red tile.  Aren't the Moroccan arched doors so pretty?  And did you notice the brick detailing along the roof line?  How about those sweet Moroccan chimneys?  The guest house is quite Moroccan in architectural style but we added some details to make it something special.  We wanted something luxurious where you could feel pampered on your holiday.  Something that you would remember and look back on wistfully.

So here it is.  I will be biting my nails until I hear back from you.  Please do tell me what you think.  Yes, even you who visits this little blog but never comments (and there are so many of you).  Would this be the kind of place that you would like to stay in if you were visiting Marrakech?

Comments

[Claire]

WHOA!! It's GORGEOUS. Let me know when it will be done and I'll help break it in! :)

[Mimi Lenox]

Simply beautiful, Maryam. I'm impressed. I can't wait to see how this develops!

[Gale Martin]

That's going to be a showpiece, Maryam. I want to jump on a plane and watch you build it. When are you scheduled to build it by the way? And you may have answered this, but why are you and your husband in Marrakesh long term. By choice?

[grasshopper]

So lovely and exotic; it puts me in mind of Scheherazade. A few nights in such a magical place and I could tell a thousand stories. You say it's your dream house. My dreams occur as visions of things I desire madly but can not hope to reach. But my impression is this dream house may very well become real. Not a castle in the air, but a unique dwelling here on earth.

[Ruzana]

Oooh stunning. If this is just the guest house, can't imagine how beautiful your main house would look like.

[Ron]

Very Nice! Are you taking reservations?

[ambika]

I am just open-mouthed with how elegant and luxurious this is. The roof, the arches, the ceiling height--it just sounds astounding. I am full of envy.

And thanks for linking to me. I appreciate all of your thoughtful words.

[More Rock'n]

Beautiful project!! Check out my site for some decorative ideas... I am working on adding more pictures of Moroccan Interiors & Interior design projects...

[mipmup]

wow! where do i pre-register for a stay?! sounds absolutely dreamy!

[Anna]

I'm sorry everyone, but this house will be permanently occupied by me and my family (Maryam doesn't know this...yet...that we are moving in) What a wonderful place! Give that darling husband a big smooch from me. It is like a fairytale, and I can't wait to experience it.

[bazza]

Hi. What's 'altered art' as referred to in your profile?
Is it like when Marcel Duchamps (I think) drew a moustache on the Mona Lisa?

[diane in gibraltar]

As soon it's finished ,i am on my way!
Very impressive

[TC]

It's a stunning house - I'll look forward to seeing pictures as it goes up...?

P.s. Thanks for the martini!

[nottellingu]

It looks wonderful -- that dreamy Arabian nights feel which has seduced so many Europeans.

I've been wondering, what exactly do either you or your husband do that let's you live in Morocco? I can't imagine that work permits are easy to come by.

[superkimbo]

Absolutely stunning! If I lived in Morocco instead of Kuala Lumpur, I'd be on my way to Marrakech right now!

[Maryam in Marrakesh]

Thank you for all the lovely comments!

Claire - We are planning to open the guest house in September 2007. Are you coming?:-)

Mimi- Aw, thanks! And your dating blog is one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time....! (Others - You can click over to this blog through the Mimi Writes blog on my blog sidebar. Mimi has several blogs. Where do you find the time, Mimi?)

Gale - The building has already begun and a lot of the structure is already up (Gasp). We have 25 builders on our land toiling away. My husband and I are here by choice. We came for my job and liked it so much and thought it was such a great place to raise kids that we decided to settle in....

Grasshopper-I hope you find a way to make at least one or two of your dreams come true. Really enjoyed your novel, Diary of a Heretic. Such talent! (Other readers - Take a hop over to Grasshopper's blog Diary of a Heretic and read exerpts of her novel. I read it in one sitting...)

Ruzanna-Check out the design of our main house. On the sidebar of my blog, look at My Favorite My Marrakesh Posts and click on Morocco and the big Ta Da.

Ron-We will be taking reservations starting January 1, 2007 for the period beginning September 1, 07 if all goes well.

Ambika - Your blog is filled with fun little items. And thank YOU for your thoughtful words. (Everyone else, check out Ambika's blog by clicking the Fray on my blog sidebar.)

More Rock'n - Thanks for visiting and would like to learn more about how you got into your business.

Mipmup-Why right here of course;-)

Anna-Don't you know that this guesthouse thing was all a ploy JUST to get you to move here with your beautiful family?

Bazza-Altered art (to me) is when you take an ordinary object and turn it into art. For exp, I made a little sleep fairy out of a box of KLM earplugs. (I should be calling on her now - it is 4am -I am up with jet lag.)

Diane - Can't wait!

TC- It IS going up. But not sure that you want to see the pics of all that brick and concrete?

Nottellingu-Actually, this guest house is one of two that we are building. The other is a 3 bedroom guest house. With 5 bedrooms, we qualify as investors and have a project that allows us to stay in Morocco. But I also have a project that I run related to human rights here in Morocco.

Superkimbo-We are friends with lots of teachers at the American schools here. How long is your tour in Kuala Lumpur?

[Liosliath]

Lovely - but I have two little questions - will you have a cook available, in case the guests want dinner at home? And what about transfers from the airport? (Many of our clients have an absolute dread of even attempting to drive in Morocco)

Having said that, can't wait until next September, so I can start sending people there! :)

[Annelisa]

It's gorgeous!

Makes me wonder (I'm sure you must've posted it already!) what the plans for your own place are, if this is only the guesthouse!?!

And it sounds like you might already filled it for the first year! :-D

[Sister Mary Lisa]

I'd stay there if I ever got lucky enough to travel as far as Morocco from Montana!

[Brittney]

Oh, why must you tempt me so, Maryam? I'm determined to remain faithful to my beloved home, but you crook your finger and beckon me with your guest houses and your exotic locales and your fascinating stories. I take a holiday from all things online and come back to find myself lulled into a magnificent fantasy once again!

I dream of sitting in the private courtyard, the scent of the bougainvillea wafting by, writing stories of mischievous spirits who live in intricate bottles and dance among the desert stars, or perhaps handsome princes in bejeweled capes and the beautiful women who hold their hearts captive. And my beloved husband in the kitchen, creating great concoctions with mysterious spices, the inspiration of his surroundings so intoxicating he can hardly stand upright.

Fie, loquacious enchantress!

[Maryam in Marrakesh]

Liosliath- Hi! Yes, we will have a cook. It's nice to have a kitchen, especially if one has small children. But who wants to cook on holiday AT ALL? And we will have a driver for airport pickups (and also hope to arrange for car hire with driver). I was out tramping around the land today and just can't wait until it is done!!

Annelisa - Thanks so much for your support! The main house can be viewed under the Ta Da post on my sidebar.

Sister Mary Lisa - I have always wanted to go to Montana. I have heard it very beautiful. But if you do manage to get out to Morocco, do give me a call;-)

Brittney - Whenever I read your writing on my blog, I find myself going into a somewhat trance-like state. When I snap out of it, I find myself tempted to awaken my children from their slumber, so that I can read to them your comments before tucking them back in to their warm beds again. It's guaranteed to evoke the most Narnia of dreams...

[superkimbo]

This is my second year in KL. Prior to this I was in Munich for 5 years. While I was in Munich I visited the American school in Casablanca for an MYP conference. I wonder if we know any of the same people? International schools are such a small world :) Is there one in Marrakesh?

[Pat]

WOW - how impressive is that!!! I would LOVE to stay in a place like that. Cannot wait to see photos of the finished product or visit it in person. :-)

[Maryam in Marrakesh]

Superkimbo - There is an American School in Marrakesh but it seems to be staffed mostly by long-term Americans married to Moroccans. The school is so beautiful. I want to post a pic on a blog for architectural purposes.

Pat- You are one of the bloggers who I know will come visit! You know Morocco better than I do, I think!

[kim]

Hello, I'm new to this blog..and I cannot for the life of me remember which site I found it at:) BUT, I'm soo glad I did..your site is beautiful and whimsical and inspiring!! (honest to goodness, and interesting too:)
I love love your guesthouse, and never before dreamed of going to morrocco..but last night I dreamt of the street and land and beauty!!
Have a good day! And I also would like to say..I love your desk too!