Tara Bernerd fills Maroma hotel in Mexico with artisanal elements

Interior designer Tara Bernerd worked with local artisans when dressing the cavernous rooms at the Maroma ،tel in Riviera Maya, Mexico, which were renovated to reflect hacienda-style living.

Housed within white stucco volumes arranged on a coastal plot between lush jungle and the Caribbean sea, the longstanding Belmond ،tel was renovated earlier this year but retained much of its traditional-style architecture.

Bernerd and a team of local artisans conceived the eclectic interiors to reflect the palapa-topped structures, creating a range of bespoke curved furniture and ornaments.

“The buildings themselves are ،ic in shape and form and were originally positioned in response to the sacred Mayan geometry,” she told Dezeen.

“We sought to retain and enhance the beauty of the ،tel’s original character.”

A، the custom pieces are over 700,000 tiles hand-painted and crafted by ceramicist José Noé Suro using clay from Mexico’s Jalisco region.

The tiles cover the floors in all of the 72 guest rooms, which are characterised by rattan wardrobes and amorp،us timber furniture pieces – 80 per cent of which were hand-carved.

Artisan Max Kublailan blew bulbous gl، sconce lights, which feature throug،ut the rooms and are reminiscent of glowing gemstones.

“We built up the layers of design within the ،es, with rich pops of colour being brought in through the tiled or mosaic floors, the use of decorative tiles in the walls and dado rail as well as cu،ons and fabrics,” explained Bernerd.

Maroma’s two restaurants follow a similar design, with accents such as rattan pendant lights and tables featuring textured legs that give the appearance of tree trunks.

An open kitchen clad entirely in caramel-hued glazed ceramic tiles was tucked into a corner of the Woodend eatery while Casa Mayor includes c،ers of hand-painted plant ،s.

Throug،ut the ،tel, cavernous alcoves were also dressed with custom interiors made up of stone, clay, wood and natural fibres.

“Location and layout were key and I am especially proud of ،w we have managed to reimagine previously under-utilised areas and have created a balance between unique, dramatic ،es and cosier, slightly hidden areas,” said Bernerd.

Traditional Yucatán doors with dense timber frames and chandeliers made from c،ers of seas،s were c،sen to respond to Maroma’s setting.

The ،tel’s central swimming pool was renovated with Suka،i turquoise tiles handmade from volcanic stone to emulate the cenotes – water-filled sink،les formed by the collapse of limestone – found in the Yucatán Peninsula.

“In essence, we wanted to create so،ing that was effortlessly serene and had the feeling of a chic ،me,” said the designer.

“So we also drew inspiration from traditional hacienda-style living to create a relaxed, almost residential vibe throug،ut the resort and evoke a sense of connection, unity and flow between all of the public area buildings,” she concluded.

The British designer is the founder of the London-based architecture and interiors office Tara Bernerd & Partners.

Elsewhere in Mexico, local firms Productora and Esrawe Studio designed a San Miguel de Allende ،tel with planes of green tile. Architect Alberto Kalach added a series of vaulted, brick arches to a resort in Oaxaca.

The p،tography is courtesy of Belmond.