Inside The Bulgari Family's Supreme Marrakech Riad

Influenced by Moorish and Moroccan architecture, this Marrakech Riad showcases a sophisticated mix of Islamic and Spanish style: in this astonishing Moroccan estate, Moorish meet the Modern.

Paolo Bulgari, chairman of Italian luxury brand Bvlgari, and his Madrid-born wife Maite, a screenwriter and TV produce, came to Marrakech for holidays with their daughters Carlotta and Marina, escaping their busy jobs in Rome by discovering the design workshops in Morocco. Their visits inspired them to produce a notable family retreat on their rocky piece of land: one that would combine the best of Morocco’s craft traditions with modern and supreme European style.

Once the lengthy process of building of this Marrakech Riad was complete, the Bulgari family started the challenge of decorating the interior, creating a luxury interior design. All the contemporary design inside the Bulgari’s Marrakech Riad captures the unique mix of styles.

These Moroccan architecture building interiors were designed by Pablo Paniagua and his architect brother, Gustavo. They used Moroccan tiles and the traditional polished plaster and conceived richly detailed coffered ceilings, handcrafted in Spanish cedar.

Many of the modern furniture pieces with a unique design were custom made in the spirit of classic Moroccan craftsmanship, such as the dining room’s expansive table of walnut and brass. According to Pablo Paniagua, his main goal was: “We wanted to give a soul to this Marrakech Riad,” the decorator says. “It has a Moroccan sensibility with an Andalusian essence.” Besides this, the interior designers also explain that “We wanted to create a sense of mystery”, and to complement the bespoke and antique furniture, the precious finishes play a vital role.

The entrance hallway – planted with bougainvillea and jasmine – that separates the Riad from the medina. The landscaping was also designed by Pablo Paniagua, who created the riad’s modern interior design.

Inside this Marrakech Riad, there are several living areas, three separate dining rooms for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a series of occasional chambers, all connecting with outdoor terraces. The rooms are surrounded by courtyards, the gardens are planted with traditional Moroccan plants, such as orange and almond trees, and flowers are cut daily to perfume the interior. The electric lighting is hardly ever used in this Marrakech Riad, and instead, rooms are illuminated by candlelight.