A Thoughtful Renovation by Dina Sebti
When interior architect Dina Sebti was approached to redesign a stunning property in Casablanca, her challenge was to strike a delicate balance between honoring its historical roots and preparing it for the future. Built in the 1960s, this expansive Moroccan residence spans 1,500 square meters and underwent a significant transformation two decades later by the renowned architect Jacqueline Alluchon, founder of Casamémoire, an organization dedicated to preserving Casablanca's architectural heritage. Thus, the stakes were high from the outset.
Upon entering the home, visitors are greeted by a natural Bejmat tiled floor that contrasts beautifully with a glossy green leather Tacchini sofa, setting the tone for a space that exudes serenity and warmth. Dina recalls, "From the first moment, I was struck by the serenity of the house. It radiated a gentle energy, reminiscent of a cocoon. The garden echoed with the songs of birds, and the house offered generous proportions, but what affected me most were the artworks adorning many of the walls. They gave this place a strong visual and emotional identity."
Creating an Artistic Sanctuary
The owner of this Casablanca home is a distinguished art collector, which meant that creating a space where art could be showcased with elegance and sensitivity was central to Dina's design brief. The residence houses one of the most extensive collections of Moroccan masters, including Mohamed Melehi, Chaïbia Talal, Mahi Binebine, and Hassan El Glaoui, alongside works from iconic European artists like Picasso, Miró, and Buffet. An immediate challenge arose: the ground floor lacked natural light, and certain finishes required modernization. Dina's mission became clear: to infuse the space with renewed clarity and modernity without disturbing its authentic soul, fulfilling the client's desire for a "comfortable, accessible, and bright home."
A velvet Arflex sofa from 1968 adds a warm touch to the terrace, creating a welcoming atmosphere for relaxation and social gatherings. As a fan of Jacqueline Alluchon's work, Dina chose to retain the original ceiling designs, exquisite marquetry floors, and woodwork, focusing instead on restoring the finishes added during the previous renovation. She adapted some rooms to better suit the client's lifestyle; modernizing bathrooms, electrical installations, and lighting while refreshing the interiors with a palette of warm neutral tones and rich earthy shades that harmonize with the home's style and environment, ultimately crafting the serene backdrop the owner envisioned.
The dining room features Gubi's C-Chairs and colorful paintings by Mohamed Melehi, highlighting the interplay between the home’s architecture and its artistic elements. To enhance the much-needed light on the ground floor, Dina applied a silver leaf finish to the ceilings, creating a soft, reflective effect, and painted the walls in a cream white with a subtle metallic sheen to help disperse light throughout the space. Mirror panels were also incorporated in strategic locations to reflect light and bring the lush garden views inside.
Every design decision was guided by the notion that the artworks should take center stage, and the architect ingeniously installed a modular system of picture rails throughout the space, allowing for the easy repositioning of artworks, which creates a dynamic exhibition that evolves over time. In the luxurious onyx-clad bathroom, a piece by Chaïbia Talal further accentuates the home’s artistic narrative.
Dina collaborated with Clay Concept, a Moroccan design reference now based in Dubai, to source artisanal and vintage pieces to furnish the rooms. "Every object needed to tell a story or reflect a particular craftsmanship," she explains. The curated collection of furniture, lighting, and decorative objects includes 1970s Arflex sconces, modernist pieces from Knoll, and a blend of contemporary Italian and Danish brands like &Tradition, Tacchini, and Gubi, complemented by rare vintage finds and handmade decorative items that add warmth to the atmosphere. "We were fortunate to have the time to furnish the rooms without haste, which allowed for thoughtful reflection and adjustment, letting the house mature naturally."
Dina's meticulous selection of furnishings highlights the understated architectural language of the home while injecting carefully chosen bursts of color. "What I am most proud of is having created an interior where modern design and heritage architecture coexist harmoniously," she reflects on this year-long project. "It's a space that feels like it has been curated over time, rather than decorated all at once. It’s a home that respects its past while making room for the future."
As reported by admagazine.fr.
