My Marrakesh: 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

Kim - Hmmm...do you believe that dreams are messages of things to come? PS Sounds great that your brother-in-law is coming, BTW. Enjoy!

Posted by:Maryam in Marrakesh | November 28, 2006 at 12:18 AM

YES YES YES! I'll come. Decorating included. :)

Posted by:decor8 Holly | November 28, 2006 at 01:54 AM

Simply fabulous!

The design has much stature and grandeur but the appointments you are refering to all speak of comfort and warmth. What a lovely place it will be! I am looking forward to see pictures of this dream house taking shape!

Posted by:Richard | December 06, 2006 at 09:03 PM

Holly-
Counting on that!
Richard-
Thanks so much for visiting here and for your kind words. The guest house walls are going up as I type and it is all very exciting!

Posted by:Maryam in Marrakesh | December 07, 2006 at 09:29 AM

Maryam, the guest house looks amazing!! I can't wait to see it's progression. Congratulations to you and your very clever husband on such a beautiful looking design.

Anna

Posted by:Anna | December 22, 2006 at 10:45 AM

Oh my lord, I just wrote that I wanted to see pictures of your guest house and wow - it's so elegant, so palatial. When can I move in?

Posted by:susanna | January 10, 2007 at 03:51 AM

Oh my--how absolutely amazing! Gorgeous house.

Your blog is addictive Maryam--it's eating into my bedtime ;-). But now I know I'll have vivid, exotic dreams, so it's worth it! I hope I'll dream I'm visiting this guest house!

Posted by:Sharon Sarmiento | January 26, 2007 at 04:27 AM

I don't know. I don't think I would want to visit there.

I want to LIVE there!!!! LOL
Sign me up.
xo

Posted by:Blue | April 28, 2007 at 02:55 AM

It looks gorgeous.
I'll be in Marrakech in January/February next year (the trip inspired by a combination of a scene in an Indiana Jones computer game, and years later, the reading of your blog.)

If it's ready, I will stay.

But can I come alone? Nobody ever caters for lone travellers. :(

Posted by:serrin | April 29, 2007 at 11:19 PM

Is that a palace? :)
I'm coming to visit the minute it's done.

Posted by:Jaime | July 24, 2007 at 08:07 PM

I have just finished a 13 month project remodeling a century old trolley car from Butte, Mt. into an awsome guest house! It would make a wonderful addition to a B&B facility. You can see lots of pictures on it on Ebay...item #180157935358

Posted by:monte j Elliott | September 13, 2007 at 02:35 PM

It's absolutely inviting and lovely Maryam! :) I love that you've created a home that reflects the best aspects of the architecture of the country while also thoughtfully planning for the guests' ultimate comfort.

I love fireplaces in bedrooms. My husband and I drive up to Mendocino a couple of times a year to a redwood cottage we adores with an outdoor, screened jacuzzi, rainhead showers, and fireplace. It is the most utterly relaxing place we've ever been and I think of it longingly when we are not there.

A friend of mine often goes to Thailand and stays at a place with outdoors showers, completely screened in but open to the sky. She says it's an extraordinary experience to bathe outside. I wonder if the weather where you are would be conducive to something like that?