I relocated from London to Gaucin in 2000 and was fortunate to have grown up speaking Spanish. Together with my partner, Stephen, who is a mosaic artist, we ventured into the mosaic business in Tangier, Morocco, crafting bespoke "Roman Mosaics." In 1999, Stephen purchased an empty Builders merchant warehouse on the outskirts of Gaucín, where our journey to establish Casa Mosaica began. Over the years, Casa Mosaica has evolved into what it is today.
Having spent 6 months a year residing in UK over the past few years,I am now back as a full Spanish Resident. Directly managing bookings, I have dedicated 22 years to curating a comprehensive house book filled with valuable local insights for our guests. My living quarters are located on the first floor of the main house. During your stay, I will extend a warm welcome and provide a tour of the property while also respecting your privacy by refraining from using the pool, you might see me doing some pot watering or perhaps our paths may cross on the doorstep or in the village. I hope to invite you for a drink on my terrace and offer any local assistance you may require.
The indispensable duo, Ruffi and Raphael, oversee the maintenance of the house, garden and pool, Their dedication is invaluable, and I am truly grateful for their presence, ensuring the smooth operation of Casa Mosaica .
The subsequent phase of the project involved envisioning a plan for the opposite end of the property, adjacent to an existing small building and a majestic well-established palm tree.
Taking cues from an enchanting tower in the Tangier Kasbah, the design of the Casita was born.
Embarking on the journey to create Casa Mosaica involved drawing inspiration from Moorish architectural wonders through our visits to Morocco and iconic sites in Spain such as the Alhambra in Granada, the Great Mosque in Cordoba, and the Royal Alcazar in Seville. Our extensive shopping in Tangier, facilitated by a flatbed truck, allowed us to bring back a plethora of treasures, including intricate rejas (window grills).
With the guidance of skilled architects, we translated our Moorish design concepts into reality. The exterior of the original warehouse underwent a transformation with the addition of decorative elements like arches, windows, and castellations, setting the stage for the construction of the Apartment and swimming pool courtyard.
Complemented by a Moorish garden meticulously designed to tie everything together and replace the tarmac. Drawing inspiration from various Andalusian patio gardens, we planned intricate mosaics to adorn numerous spaces throughout the property.
The building is getting finished and the planting started by 2005. Luckily with good new soil and a watering system plants grow quickly in Andalucía and the first guests are welcomed in 2010.
All these years later I still get the greatest pleasure from guests who feel as comfortable and relaxed as they would in their own home, exactly as I intended... "A dream home away from home" and thank you to my many delightful guests and the kind reviews.
