|

Laura Kirar’s Moroccan moment at Hacienda Subin

In her own words, Hacienda Subin co-owner Laura Kirar dissects the details of her newly finished Morocco Room

When I began the restoration of our hacienda in the Yucatán, I knew it would be a challenge to honor the history while bringing in my own design sensibilities. The house is over 300 years old, with layers of history embedded in its walls. The front of the house has a Moorish style, the back feels very classical and French from the 19th century, and the core of the house—the oldest part—contains what we call the Morocco room, which likely predates even the facade. 

In approaching the restoration, I was mindful of the many eras the house had lived through. The challenge was not just to restore but to weave together these 300 years of different influences. In the Morocco room, I wanted to bring out the Moorish elements, which I found to be the most memorable and architecturally significant part of the house. I thought, “How can I weave the Moorish into this space, and how can I let it influence the rest of the house without overwhelming it?”

Party at Hacienda Subin outside Mérida, Yucatán.
The owners of Hacienda Subin opened up their home south of Mérida for a Yucatán Magazine launch party in 2024. Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine

The floor, for instance, was inspired by a mosaic floor in a riad we stayed at in Fez. I knew replicating that intricate mosaic work in the Yucatán would be impossible, so I had local pasta tiles cut into smaller pieces to create a similar effect. It was a lot of work, and I think the workers probably wanted to kill me for the complexity, but the result is beautiful and unique.

Obstacles overcome

The room itself posed design challenges. With two major doors on opposite walls, I had to decide on the room’s focal point and how to incorporate a bathroom into a space that originally had none. I wanted the space to feel like a fusion of influences—from Morocco, India, and Asia—all filtered through a Mexican lens. The result is a pair of pavilions, one housing a shower with a small bench and the other a water closet with a sink and mirror. 

The murals in the room were a late-night inspiration. We often see red and blue dragonflies on the property, so I incorporated them into the design. I imagined what the dragonflies might be doing and envisioned them around our pool area, where we often dry laundry. The scalloped patterns on the wall represent diaphanous fabrics blowing in the wind as if carried away by the dragonflies.

Detail of Laura Kirar's Morocco Room at Hacienda Subin.
Laura Kirar’s Morocco Room at Hacienda Subin, Mérida, Mexico. Photo: Patricia Robert / Yucatán Magazine

This room, though playful and colorful, feels inherently Mexican to me. Mexico does color like no other place. The chandelier I found in an antique shop in San Miguel adds to this blend of influences. Though it’s not particularly old, it has a colonial style that fits the room’s aesthetic.

As much as I’ve enjoyed creating this room, we are still working on the primary suite, including a double-height closet with millwork and possibly a library ladder. The design will likely blend traditional elements with more contemporary art and minimal furniture.

Laura Kirar's Morocco Room at Hacienda Subin.
Laura Kirar’s Morocco Room at Hacienda Subin, Mérida, Mexico. Photo: Patricia Robert / Yucatán Magazine

Living full-time in the Yucatán has deeply influenced my work. My long love affair with Mexico is evident in everything I created after we bought the hacienda in 2009. The hacienda is constantly evolving, and as much as I try to respect its history, I also enjoy adding new layers to it. 

The project at the hacienda, particularly the Morocco room, reflects my design philosophy: creating spaces that communicate across time and cultures, with an eye towards maintaining the integrity of the original architecture. It’s a process of respecting the past while bringing in a fresh perspective that acknowledges the myriad influences that have shaped the space over the centuries.

Laura Kirar is the founder and creative director of Laura Kirar Design, an internationally renowned studio that creates timeless interiors and collectible designs. Her work spans high-end residences, award-winning commercial interiors, and collaborations with celebrated Mexican artisans, blending modern design with traditional techniques. Kirar’s brand has established strong partnerships with top design companies, producing a wide range of home products.

Read More