Few places leave a lasting impression quite like Marrakech – a city of colour, craftsmanship and quiet moments hidden behind ancient walls. For Justine Bullock, founder of The Tap End, the Moroccan city has become far more than a travel destination; it is a continual source of inspiration, shaping both her creative outlook and her approach to design.
In this Travel Life Q&A with Jennifer Hobbs-Roberts, Justine shares her personal experiences of Marrakech – from the sensory impact of the medina and the elegance of its riads, to the influence of Moroccan textures, tiles and architecture on her work. Along the way, she offers practical tips, favourite places and a glimpse into why this remarkable city continues to draw her back time and time again.
What inspired you to get into bathroom and interiors design in the first
place? What does a typical working day look like for you – if such a thing exists?
This summer will see my business, The Tap End, enter its ninth year, and we couldn’t be more excited about what this holds for us as we approach a decade in business!
The Tap End is a bathroom design studio, where our award-winning designers create award winning bathrooms for our clients in Wales and beyond. As the sole director of the company and head of the design direction, I love nothing more than a challenge!
We are seeing clients from all over the UK as a result of social media spreading the word and whilst we mainly specialise in mid to high-end projects, we have been seeing a huge increase in super luxury. For these projects we are experienced and trained in exclusive products/techniques such as the specification of steam showers, Sun Showers (UV and infrared panel for inside shower enclosures), smart WCs, bespoke elements including natural stone surfaces and so much more!
My background is in fashion design, with a transition to interior design and then to bathrooms as a speciality. Bathrooms are where I feel most at home, they are such technical and creatively challenging spaces, with complex elements and it keeps things super interesting day to day. No two projects are the same, and it’s a unique industry where independent businesses can really excel. We are proud to be counted as an award-winning independent design business and recognised by clients and peers for our work.
TRAVEL, INSPIRATION & MARRAKESH
What first drew you to Marrakesh, and had it been on your travel wish-list
for some time? What were your initial impressions when you arrived – the colours, atmosphere, architecture and overall feel of the city? Marrakesh is renowned for its tiles, patterns and craftsmanship. Did anything in particular stand out to you from a design point of view? Was there a moment during the trip when you thought, “I could happily stay here much longer?
I first visited Marrakech just after Covid, for a work trip. I had no expectations and I had not planned anything myself as it was an organised trip via a supplier, so I was very open minded and, if anything, a little unprepared for what I was about to experience.
We were checked into the legendary La Mamounia which was built in the 1920s and offers a true 5-star experience; Over the years it has hosted the likes of Winston Churchill, Paul McCartney, Charlie Chaplin and for the reality TV lovers, the Kardashians! I have visited this hotel again since and was blown away as much the second time as the first, it has over fifteen hectares of historic gardens, which were established prior to the hotel being built, a blend of traditional Moroccan architecture and Art Deco style as well as being home to one of my all-time favourite restaurants; Le Marocain where the pigeon pastilla will leave a lasting memory with you.
Since that first visit, I have been back there at least ten more times, and because the city offers so much, I have been able to enjoy a totally unique trip each time. Staying deeper into the heart of the medina at the stunning El Fenn was a particular highlight as their tall walls conceal the absolute beauty of the luxury riad. You are transported to another place once you step inside and it’s hard to leave once you have settled in!
Do you have any tips or personal insights you can share with readers that would help them enjoy their Marrakesh experience more?
Marrakech is the kind of place that either captivates you and will hold a special place in your heart forever more, or a place you just can’t get on board with – The best way to experience the city is with a plan; Pre book transfers via your hotel/Riad, pre book your dinner reservations, and pre book your activities; this way you can have a really full experience even if you are having a short stay – three nights is the minimum amount of time I would recommend and five nights is ideal, seven nights if you split your stay between the medina and the desert.
CULTURE, COLOUR & CRAFTSMANSHIP
Did the city’s bold use of colour, texture and materials spark any new ideas
or creative thinking for you?
Marrakech is nicknamed the Red City, and this Red City certainly provides an immersive sensory experience to travellers who are willing to explore. The colours, smells, sounds are intense and the markets and souks feature everything from modern shops to traditional crafts, spices and textiles. T
he gardens of Marrakech are a wonder to behold – in such a built up, chaotic (in a good way), tightly woven medina you will find gardens that are so peaceful you would think you are in a private residence out in the middle of nowhere, and certainly not in the middle of a souk! Search for Le Jardin Secret and wander until you find it. The tea houses serve the best mint tea, I would recommend 1112, and the coffee shops range from tiny shack style stop offs to opulent ‘Instagram worthy’ locations like Bacha Coffee.
Clearly it’s a visually stunning part of the world, but are there plenty of things to do?
If you are looking for activities or things to see outside of the hustle and bustle of the medina then a cooking class like Lalla Zehra goes down a treat for groups, or couples if you are willing to spend the day with other guests.
Anima garden by artist Andre Heller is a great trip for botanical lovers. As is Jardin Majorelle – Yves Saint Laurent’s 1980s purchase which he restored and is now open to the public. A desert trip to quad bike or buggy ride is also always a fun time had by all. As for museums, the options really are endless!
Were there any specific patterns, finishes or architectural details that stayed with you once you returned home? Do you feel that travel helps refine your eye for interiors, even on a subconscious level?
Regularly travelling to Marrakech has really informed the way we design at The Tap End, we aren’t afraid of using colour or pattern, even clashing colours and patterns. It has opened my eyes to experimenting – the bathrooms there are magnificent and the tiling is simply stunning; Zellige, encaustic, hand painted; even the gardens and restaurants are tiled!
Interiors are done differently in Marrakech – layers, textures, too much is ever enough and neutral is not really an option! Whilst I haven’t gone fully all in Moroccan style with our work, after all it has to be client led, we have certainly adopted some of the principles of design that I have brought home from the Red City, and it has certainly changed how I tackle the interiors of my own home.
SLOWING DOWN & SOAKING IT UP
Marrakesh has a reputation for being busy and vibrant yet calming in unexpected places. Did it encourage you to slow down and really take everything in? Was there a favourite moment from the trip that had nothing to do with sightseeing – perhaps a quiet courtyard, a rooftop meal, or a hidden corner of the city?
Marrakech always restores my soul, even after a jam-packed trip I leave feeling calm. All of the higher end hotels and riads have spas, and if you are staying in one that doesn’t there is a lovely spa called Les Bains de Marrakech that do a wonderful couples Hammam, which is not for the faint of heart but you’ll leave feeling clean as a whistle! As with everything good in Marrakech though, make sure you book ahead!
A special memory of one trip was an overnight stay in La Pause in the Agafay Desert; This is an eco-lodge situation so your room has no electricity forcing you to unplug and unwind, and it was a memorable and enjoyable experience topped only by the hilltop pool with views for days! The desert is colder than you might expect, so if you visit, visit in the summer months, avoid winter where feedback can be that it is too cold in the evenings.
Do you enjoy early-morning exploring or late-night wandering more? Are you drawn more to minimalist calm or rich, layered interiors? Is there one destination you would return to tomorrow if you could?
The breakfasts in the Riads of Marrakech are slow and steady, with courses brought to you over and over again, so a slow morning with not much planned is the perfect way to enjoy the hospitality of the Riad, Msemen with honey is to die for and a firm fave of mine. Nous nous coffee is a half coffee, half milk option and a staple of Moroccan cafe culture, be sure to ask for one if you usually drink latte or flat white.
After breakfast a wander to a museum is always a great way to start the exploring, followed by lunch on a rooftop; Nomad is a great spot for a rooftop experience coupled with great food, El Fenn has perhaps my favourite rooftop lunch experience as the views are unique and it has a very reasonable offering for such a high end spot, but Nobu rooftop is by far the best way to see the most as it is a round building so you have a 360 view of the city from its position, although it is in Hivernage not in the heart of the medina so more modern.
Evening times are just amazing, dinner and a show is something you need to do at least once during your trip – Dar Soukkar offers a great dinner and show option, especially if you are travelling with friends.
If I could plan my perfect day in Marrakech it would be slow breakfast, YSL museum followed by the Jardin Majorelle as they are next to each other, then a taxi to El Fenn for lunch on the rooftop, walk from El Fenn through the souk right the way to the other end of the souk and a stop off at Bacha Coffee (if the queues allow), late afternoon Hammam and then an evening at a restaurant for a dinner – for me the options for restaurants are incredible, so any of the top rated ones online would suffice!
Is there another destination on your list that you think would be just as
inspiring from a design perspective?
I’d have to say no. At least I haven’t seen it or discovered it yet. Marrakesh is spellbinding. Visually, emotionally, spiritually, it ticks all the boxes. True escapism.
Finally, if you had to sum up Marrakesh, how would you sum it up? What makes it so special?
I don’t think anywhere else that’s a three-and-a-half hour flight away can beat Marrakech. For such a relatively short flight you are transported to somewhere truly exotic, and it really does feel otherworldly – I know I don’t even need to try and find somewhere that could compete, Marrakech has stolen my heart.
TRAVEL LIFE QUICK-FIRE
Justine Bullock, Owner, The Tap End
If you had to choose, would you prefer a boutique riad or a luxury hotel?
For me? Riad every time!
Riad recommendations
Low budget – Riad Kasbah
Medium range – Riad Brummell
High end – El Fenn or La Sultana
Hotel recommendations
Nobu Hotel and La Mamounia. If you are willing to stay out of the heart of the city, and have a higher end budget, check out Richard Branson’s hotel, Kasbah Tamadot.
Award Winning Bathrooms
“As specialists in premium bathroom design, our team handles everything from concept to completion. We believe that high-end isn’t about extravagance it’s about quality, longevity, and creating a space that elevates everyday living.” Justine Bullock
The Tap End
57 Llantrisant Road
Pontyclun CF72 9DP
01443 449056
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Vale Life rates The Tap End Five Stars!
Justine’s beautiful shrine to bathroom design has been featured many times in Vale Life magazine. Click here to read a recent feature.
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Talking about great design…
We have to sing the praises of our web designers Cog Creative, who have designed and built all our sites. Their advice on SEO has been particularly helpful. If you want to ‘tap’ into their knowledge, give them a visit. Sorry about the ‘tap’ thing. Bathrooms! I couldn’t resist it, the pun is definitely intended.
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