Stunning image of Dahlias being arranged in an 18th century Moroccan marble fountain

in the Tangier home of architect Roberto Peregalli. Roberto and his partner Laura

Sartori Rimini set about restoring and joining a derelict trio of houses while preserving

a sense of their history. Crate upon crate of 17th and 18th century Tunisian tiles

journeyed across the Pyrenees and Italy to be carried here in wheelbarrows through

the maze of Medina alleyways. Old doors, railings, windows, balustrades and hardware

were purchased on travels about Morocco, sojourns through Paris and London flea

markets. Roberto photo-documented the original 18th century walls, “It was necessary

for the contrast between the shiny surfaces of the glazed tiles and the diaphanous

surfaces of the lime-washed walls- with an inner light achieved by many layers of paint

-to be convincing, to be “right”, soft…” Italian painter Edvige Tamburini directed

the restoration of the walls, working to achieve the same colors, using the same

materials as the 18th century.

A French arm chair upholstered in petit point

is crowned by a northern Italian portrait, both from the 17th century

Absolutely incredible wall treatment...I could swim in this color, roll

onto my back and stare at the sky in this color…

Victorian chairs surround the dining room table,

below copper lantern from the same period…

On the far wall, a panel of 18th century tiles from Fez

is flanked by two panels of 16th century tiles from Seville

Black and white antique marble tiles line the floor

of the L-shaped entrance, and are echoed among

the 18th century Tunisian tiles that decorate the dado.

A fragment of an antique Caucasian carpet hangs

from the first-floor gallery’s balustrade.

A huge skylight above floods the chamber with light

and suspends a great lantern by a double chain…

Antique double doors open out to to give a view of

the library and its early 19th century Italian bookcase.

Walls as painter’s canvas…truly inspirational.

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The World of Interiors Nov ’09

Photography Roland Beaufre