Project name: Dar Jasmine

Location: Morocco

Date completed: July 2019

Interior Designer: Kai Interiors

Hotel Group/ Developer: Yasmina Markouch

Kai Interiors wanted to create an authentic, welcoming boutique hotel with each room being individual in style. Taking inspiration from Moroccan style and utilizing local craftspeople to produce every item and finish. A combination of quirky and contemporary elements with traditional Moroccan techniques were used. It should feel like a relaxing, home environment where guests feel comfortable to roam the grounds.

Rich green planting and Jasmine flowers feature throughout, allowing the natural light and view to shine as part of the interior and integrating the inside with natural surroundings was a must. It was requested that guests have opportunity to enjoy peaceful moments within the space, so small nooks and hideaways were created throughout.

Kai Interiors favourite elements of the hotel include the marble parquet flooring on arrival and the many Moroccan tiles which are celebrated room to room. The hand carved palm leaves into the solid wood bar front and the hand carved pineapple wall lights.

The design is a perfect combination of Moroccan culture and traditional techniques with a modern European edge. It is colourful and rich yet calming and inviting. It feels elegant and luxurious but still feels rustic and sympathetic to the local area and surroundings. As a hotel the aesthetic sets the tone but it is imperative that everything is practical too.

One of the special elements about this hotel is the surrounding nature, the hotel features a wonderful roof terrace space perfect for yoga sessions and taking in the view. From one side you can view the mountains and from the other side you can overlook the Chefchaouen city below which is sprinkled with many variations of blue homes. The exterior of the hotel is painted in a very pale blue so it was in keeping with the theme of the city. Huge windows in the restaurant allow guests to view the city below at mealtimes and allows the nature to flow inside.

All of the tiles used within the hotel were hand cut and glazed to bespoke colours then set into bespoke patterns and shapes. All lighting was hand carved and perforated to create delicate shadows against the walls in the evenings. Vases and pots with hand painted patterns were made by local tribes in the mountains and brought down to the city, then positioned within the hotel. All internal furniture and joinery were made by one joiner, which brought character to the space.