Christian Schallert

At Home With is an interview series from Salam Hello where we follow some of our favorite pieces into the homes of your favorite style icons, curators, and creators. Each interview explores what home means and the pieces, people, and practices that bring it all together.

Christian Schallert is the creative mind behind some of Marrakech’s most architecturally-stunning hotels. Founder of the hotel brand Brummell Projects, Schallert supports the development and growth of hospitality in both Spain and Morocco. Originally from Austria, Schallert has been living in Barcelona for the past 21 years. He worked as a bagel maker, a photographer, and in the home renovation space before entering the hospitality industry in 2013, when he bought an abandoned building and transformed it into Hotel Brummell, a boutique hotel in Barcelona.


In 2022, Schallert expanded his ventures to Morocco, where he opened Maison Brummell, a boutique hotel situated next to the famed Majorelle Garden, with the help of architect Bergendy Cooke. The next year, Shallert opened a nine-room riad in the old town Medina Marrakech. Below, Schallert shares the design and architectural inspiration behind Maison Brummell, as well as some of the design inspiration behind it.


Our spaces are so personal. What does home look and feel like to you and how did you incorporate that into Maison Brummell?

At the very start of our designing process we came up with a fictional story of a creative, well-traveled couple who commissioned us to create their home. We invented a Moroccan man, Azzedine, a talented artist who is married to Mio, a Japanese writer.

 
There is a black and white photograph hanging in the dark blue chimney room that shows Mio wandering around in a traditional rice terrace in Akita, or an old photograph of Azzedine on one of the shelves in the breakfast room. The idea was that this is their home with their personal belongings and they generously leave their house for their friends when they are away on their numerous travels.

What are other spaces, besides your own home, that feel like home to you?

There is nothing that can beat nature. Growing up right next to Switzerland, it was all about green meadows and spring flowers and tree climbing. In terms of interior spaces, undoubtedly my parent’s pastry house Café Schallert, rich with the smell of freshly baked cakes and other goodies.


How would you describe Maison Brummell’'s style in five words or less?

Minimal, cocoon-like, architectonical, design-driven, welcoming.

Beyond the rug, can you tell us about an item in Maison Brummell that has a story?

I love the two wooden vintage lounge chairs in green velvet upholstering which I bought in a small hidden shop in Barcelona and which are prominently gracing the entrance hall now. The green velvet has been immaculate because the former owner had it protected in plastic wrap for over 50 years.

Whether it's a signature color, a certain style of art, or a collection, as Maison Brummell has come together, have you noticed any fun themes?

Art in the house has always been essential for me, so every room needed a signature piece that tells a story. When I discovered the plot where the Maison is situated today, it was completely abandoned land with a small fallen-down house, which was completely overgrown from plants crawling over from the walls of the Majorelle Gardens. Of course I was enamored at first sight. In the title deed papers it says the house was called “Jenny,” so I wanted to pay homage to this house that we needed to demolish. Therefore all the artworks in the rooms have something to do with Jenny, though they are different materials and by different artists, including a commissioned work by Belgium artist Laurence Leenaert.


How has your sense of style at home evolved over the years?

Less is more. I try now to not use too much color. I love unitone colors from floor to ceiling. I like the finishes themselves to be quite raw, almost unfinished-looking, which could be interpreted as feeling cold, but then I warm it all up with curtains, art, and other textiles, including some divine rugs.

What is the feeling that you want Maison Brummell to evoke?

I want Maison Brummell to evoke wander, awe and inspiration: It's designed to be a temple of details for design and architecture lovers. 


What are your go-to shops for home decor?

I always check out what's going on in the antique shops at Bab Lakhmis.

What is one thing in Maison Brummell that you recommend to everyone?

Get the combo ticket (Musée YSL and Jardin Majorelle) because it is literally around the corner.


Appreciate all the insights, Christian! We can’t wait to explore more Brummell Projects across the globe. If you’re visiting Marrakech, Maison Brummell or Riad Brummell is an absolute must-stay.

Love their rugs? Get inspired with similar pieces below.

Photographed by Amira Azzouzi