In 1974, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé bought Dar Es Saada, “the House of Happiness in Serenity”, in Marrakech. Their friend Bill Willis was entrusted with the interior decoration. It was located near the Jardin Majorelle, which Saint Laurent and Bergé frequently visited

The villa was later painted pink to further extend the exotic atmosphere inspired by Matisse’s paintings of Morocco

The salon is anchored by a traditional zellige mantelpiece (intricately patterned Moroccan enamel coated terracotta tile chips set into plaster) designed by Bill Willis, on which rests a collection of ancient pottery. Crisp white plaster walls and wood beams, a Jean Dunand -

cocktail table, a pair of contemporary sofas designed by M. Vinchenard for l’Atelier de l’Etoile, two small English tables and orientalist accents – a Syrian carved mirror, chair, and pair of screens – informs the decidedly colonial-style atmosphere.

Fez pottery is displayed on the dining room wall. Saint-Laurent designed the sideboard. The ash and cedar inlaid dining table pattern mimics Moroccan tiles

In this delightful room, the bed frame is covered in red silk from Le Manach while the bed cover was made of brocade. Jacqueline had embroidered red panels set into the white tarpaulin curtains. All the furniture is Syrian.

Once heavily draped and opulent, the new guest rooms, such as this one, were outfitted with bright, simple cottons. Here, cotton rideaux in large-scale carnival stripes dresses a window. Ultramarine blue and red-violet vibrate against the crisp white plaster walls.

Two additional Bill Willis designed bathrooms sheathed in zellige tiles, above and below.