When planning began for Cap Juluca’s now completed first-phase $22 million enhancement program, one name stood above all others for interior design – world renowned American designer, Paul Duesing. His designs grace the most sumptuous homes and the resorts of some of the premier names in worldwide hospitality. Just a few of his noted hotel projects include the Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat on the Mediterranean Riviera… the Four Seasons Santa Barbara in California… as well as One & Only’s Palmilla and Rosewood’s Las Ventanas both in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to name but a few.
In one of the more unusual stories surrounding Cap Juluca’s handsome redesign, Cap Juluca’s new owner and noted travel industry executive Adam Aron teamed up with Duesing, both traveling personally to Marrakech, Morocco. There, they scoured the streets and back alleys of the Marrakech souks for days on end to select the perfect signature pieces and accompanying accents. The goal from the outset was to enhance yet be faithful to the original Greco-Moroccan tones of Cap Juluca in its Caribbean setting.
Paul Duesing Perhaps the most stunning result of all is Cap Juluca’s Main House, which almost magically has been transformed into a new romantic gathering place for the resort. Its new high style is highlighted by centuries-old artifacts, rich woods and soothing limestone flooring imported from Spain and France. The literal and figurative centerpiece of The Main House is a 900-pound, 16′ x 25′ chandelier — constructed of punched tin dipped in brass and consisting of 94 decorative lit metal balls strategically placed to refract light and simulate the twinkling of an Anguillian starry night.
Of course, Duesing’s work far transcended what was brought home from Morocco. A wholly new Duesing décor can be found in Cap Juluca’s three restaurants, Pimms, Spice and Blue (making the creations of the new acclaimed and much honored Executive Chef of Cap Juluca René Bajeux all the more palatable). The best electronics from Sony and Bose were added to all guestrooms. And new guestroom patio furniture and custom-made beach furniture, from the likes of Janus et Cie and Dedon among others, adorn the beauty of Maundays Bay Beach.
And all this doesn’t even take into account Cap Juluca’s new fleet of golden solar powered self-drive golf carts for guest use, the sixty thousand new flowers that were planted to give Cap Juluca full bouquets of bountiful color or the new ecologically sensitive and wildlife friendly night lighting that was installed to cast a romantic glow around the property throughout every evening.
Commenting on the refreshing of Cap Juluca, Paul Duesing said, “We believe that design work should be authentic and that the design process should be fun. Our trip to North Africa certainly achieved both. Rummaging through back-street shops of Marrakech, we found some amazing pieces. The custom chandelier that we created for the Main House outdoor living room was inspired on the spot, when we found a warehouse full of intricate metal balls of varying shapes and sizes. It seems to me that guests come to Cap Juluca to unwind and to recharge. As a former Cap Juluca guest myself, I knew the beach to be beautiful, the food delicious, and the staff gracious. Putting it all together, the overall atmosphere at Cap Juluca is one of casual, chic comfort. Our approach was to stay true to these goals, while introducing an occasional ‘surprise’ of an unexpected or unique element to help create special memories.”
To see some of those elements of Paul Duesing’s design, we invite you to visit our online photo gallery. And to experience the design in person, we invite you to visit Cap Juluca on Anguilla by taking advantage of one of our many custom packages.
www.capjuluca.com