On site yesterday the temperature was well up in the high 30′s, but inside the villas it was reassuringly cool.

We have a final decision on the colour and style of the outside render. Anwar was over from the UK and on site with me, so to be honest I’m glad he could see the options first hand and make the call. We had arranged for a selection of colours to be sampled but, wouldn’t you know, we all agreed that the original samples fitted perfectly with the idea of blending with the natural earth colour and contrasting subtly with the bricks of the stair tower. The experts proved they knew exactly where we were coming from first time round.

The choice of colours…too orange or pink!

Back to the original samples…

The final choice…

The final texture…

A major step towards the finishing of the villas is the laying of the bejmat floors. These natural hand-made tiles are from Fez, where the quality is highest. They are traditional, timeless, robust, and look beautifully organic within regimented designs.

Just laid (before grouting), the Palmerie design

Someone to select and keep the tiler supplied with perfect tiles

The pattern creeps along the floor at amazing speed

And just to show you the method…

And finally, despite the high temperature and dryness of all around there were tomatoes flourishing in the vegetable patch on L’Amandier and plants suited t o the arid months were beautifully spiky and in abundance.

Related posts:

1. Starting the villa finishings
2. Site visit (29 May)
3. Site visit (May 09)