Rocka Design

Rocka Design Guest Experience, Hospitality Interior & Services Design.

Getting it right from the start.When it comes to furniture, the secret is simple - start with a real project.It doesn’t ...
22/10/2025

Getting it right from the start.

When it comes to furniture, the secret is simple - start with a real project.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. It can be a quick sketch on paper, but include dimensions, proportions, and small details. That’s what makes the difference between “something like this” and something that actually works. A Pinterest photo is great for inspiration, but without dimensions it’s just a vibe.

Even if you already have technical drawings from your architect or designer, try translating them into something simpler and easier to read. Sit down with the carpenter, explain what you want, and go through it together. Everyone works differently here, so that extra conversation always helps.

And then - make a sample.
This step is gold. It lets you see how the piece actually looks and feels in real life, and you can still change things before producing everything else. You’ll be surprised how many great ideas come once you see the first piece finished.

Let’s talk furniture in Zanzibar.Designing for hotels and restaurants here comes with its own set of challenges (and joy...
29/09/2025

Let’s talk furniture in Zanzibar.

Designing for hotels and restaurants here comes with its own set of challenges (and joys). There’s no IKEA, no Amazon, no Wayfair trucks pulling up with ready-made sets. Most pieces are built from scratch — which can feel overwhelming, but also gives you something rare: real materials, custom design, and furniture that tells a story.

Of course, there are options to source furniture abroad - but lead times are long, and furniture takes up a lot of space in a container, which makes transport costs add up quickly. (That’s a whole other story… you can check my post about international sourcing if you’re curious.)

Over the next few days I’ll be sharing tips and tricks I’ve learned - from choosing the right wood, to navigating costs, timelines, finishes, and everything in between. All the things I wish someone had told me when I started.

If you’re working on a project here (or anywhere that doesn’t have flat-pack delivery), I hope this helps. And if you’d rather have someone connect all the dots for you - that’s where I come in.

Stay tuned ✨

Ever wonder why some spaces just feel right — no matter how much time passes?Here’s the trick: don’t chase trends, build...
15/09/2025

Ever wonder why some spaces just feel right — no matter how much time passes?
Here’s the trick: don’t chase trends, build balance.

Go textured on the walls? Keep the furniture simple. Bring in natural wood, add soft linen, then throw in one bold piece to keep things from getting too safe. It’s that push and pull that makes a room feel alive.

And here’s the best part: stick with materials that are local and true to the place. Authentic always outlasts trendy.

Not too much, not too bare. Just enough texture, contrast, and personality to make it timeless.

Been pouring my heart into this one — Gate Nine Restaurant at Premier Hotel, Stone Town. Still under wraps for now, but ...
05/09/2025

Been pouring my heart into this one — Gate Nine Restaurant at Premier Hotel, Stone Town. Still under wraps for now, but I can’t wait to share the full reveal when it’s all finished 🤍

𝗠𝗼𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 — 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴?They’re a signature feature in many tropical stays. But are they a...
15/04/2025

𝗠𝗼𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 — 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴?

They’re a signature feature in many tropical stays. But are they always needed? Not quite.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲:
✔ In places with lush vegetation and limited air circulation
✔ When there’s no AC or sealed windows
✔ In rural, lush settings (hello, jungle stays), especially during rainy season
✔ If the design leans boho, rustic, or romantic — a net just fits

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆:
✘ In well-sealed, AC-cooled rooms
✘ Oceanfront rooms with steady breeze (mosquitos hate wind)
✘ Hotels with proper pest control and no bugs buzzing around
✘ Minimal, clean-lined interiors or modern luxury suites — where nets can look out of place or feel like an afterthought

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 — 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀.
But we can get creative. If nets don’t match the mood, here’s what works:
• Screens on windows and doors
• Sheers on windows, which also help keep bugs out
• Ultrasonic repellents
• Fan circulation (mosquitos hate moving air)
• Essential oil diffusers with citronella, lemongrass, or eucalyptus
• Discreet ceiling nets or roll-down netting if you still want the protection but not the canopy look

Because in hospitality, the goal is always the same: keep guests safe and make them feel amazing in the space.

Design the kind of room 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦.Not just to sleep—but to slow down, recharge, and 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 enjoy.A co...
14/04/2025

Design the kind of room 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦.
Not just to sleep—
but to slow down, recharge, and 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 enjoy.

A cozy corner to land in.
Mood lighting that shifts with them.
A coffee machine they’ll love.
A mini fridge to keep their water cool.
A speaker for their favorite tunes.
And details that feel 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭, not extra.

Design for all the senses—
and make their stay feel easy, special, and unforgettable.

Follow us for guest-first hospitality that hits different. 🤍

In crafting the concept for this restaurant, part of a broader hotel design, I was inspired by the clients, a couple ori...
08/04/2025

In crafting the concept for this restaurant, part of a broader hotel design, I was inspired by the clients, a couple originally from Zanzibar who now live in Dubai. They're not just clients; they're the heart of this project, infusing every aspect with their cool, kind essence. They aspired to blend the local tropical charm of Zanzibar with the polished glamour of Dubai, creating a space that harmonizes these two worlds.

The restaurant is envisioned as a standalone destination within the hotel, where guests can experience a mix of quirky elegance and bold, tropical details, set against Dubai’s sleek glamour. This design aims to be a vibrant yet relaxed setting that captures the essence of its inspirations, making it a stylish and memorable part of the hotel’s overall experience.

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Paje, Zanzibar
Paje

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