Five Columns Essaouria is a holiday rental home on the coast of Morocco. The building dates to the 18th century, and it’s been restored beautifully – clean, modern design paired with traditional Moroccan architecture and textiles, all in a perfect neutral colour palette.
I was bowled over when I first came across this stunning home, in the heart of Essaouria’s medina. It belongs to London-based interior designer Lisa Burke, and it’s available to rent via HomeAway.
![Dining area with live edge table at Five Columns Essaouira](https://i0.wp.com/www.emmersonandfifteenth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Courtyard-1-800x519.jpg?resize=800%2C519)
The home’s bright, neutral scheme puts a more modern spin on traditional Moroccan decor, as does the addition of furniture with clean lines, like the dining chairs above and those killer armchairs below.
![Casual living area at Five Columns Essaouira](https://i0.wp.com/www.emmersonandfifteenth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/PaulinaArcklin-5COLUMNS-0207-1.jpg?resize=500%2C749)
The home is a riad in Essaouria’s ancient medina. It has four bedrooms, and they’re all similarly gorgeous.
![Built in bed at Five Columns Essaouira](https://i0.wp.com/www.emmersonandfifteenth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/PaulinaArcklin-5COLUMNS-0442-1-800x1199.jpg?resize=800%2C1199)
![Wardrobe and bathroom at Five Columns Essaouira](https://i0.wp.com/www.emmersonandfifteenth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/PaulinaArcklin-5COLUMNS-0449-1-800x1199.jpg?resize=800%2C1199)
![Bedroom with en suite at Five Columns Essaouira](https://i0.wp.com/www.emmersonandfifteenth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/PaulinaArcklin-5COLUMNS-0578-1-800x534.jpg?resize=800%2C534)
Burke has clad all the bathrooms in Tadelakt. This waterproof, polished plaster was also used in the bathrooms at the villas where we vacationed over summer. I love the subtle texture it adds – I’d use it in my own bathroom if I could!
![Tadelakt bathroom at Five Columns Essaouira](https://i0.wp.com/www.emmersonandfifteenth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/PaulinaArcklin-5COLUMNS-0483-1-800x1199.jpg?resize=800%2C1199)
The house has four stories, with the all-white walls drawing light into the central courtyard.
![Sun filled architecture at Five Columns Essaouira](https://i0.wp.com/www.emmersonandfifteenth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/PaulinaArcklin-5COLUMNS-9990-1-800x534.jpg?resize=800%2C534)
![Rustic features and traditional Moroccan furniture at Five Columns Essaouira](https://i0.wp.com/www.emmersonandfifteenth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/PaulinaArcklin-5COLUMNS-0332-1-800x1199.jpg?resize=800%2C1199)
Aren’t those ceilings gorgeous? I love their rustic texture. At the top of the house, there’s a bar and roof terrace.
Stay at Five Columns Essaouria
If you’d like to check out more photos or find out how you can go stay there, visit 5 Columns.