At just 22 years old and recently graduated with a degree in Interior Design, María José Cruz identified a need in the eastern region of the Dominican Republic. Finding specialized wallpaper, textiles and wallcoverings was not always easy. In many cases, clients and professionals had to travel to Santo Domingo to access a wider selection.
That opportunity inspired Maréa x Tissage, a new store located in Ciudad Las Canas. The space brings together wallpaper, decorative fabrics, wallcoverings and cushions. It also offers specialized guidance for residential, commercial and hospitality projects.
“Maréa is a dream born from that passion and the desire to bring something different”, says María José.
The young designer graduated just a year ago and is now at the helm of a project she created after identifying a need through her professional experience.
Making room for design in the East
The decision to open in Cap Cana was intentional. The area’s real estate growth has fueled new architecture and interior design projects. For María José, this development also revealed an opportunity.
“We felt there was a need for a concept like Maréa. We wanted to bring high-quality products and international brands closer to the East,” she explains.
As a result, professionals and clients can now find locally many of the products they previously had to source in Santo Domingo.
The store works with renowned international brands such as Casamance. Its selection caters to architects, interior designers and decorators, as well as anyone looking to transform their home.
Personalized guidance is also an important part of the experience.
Textures, colors and new possibilities
Maréa was created to move beyond the traditional retail concept. Its materials are not simply displayed as products. Instead, they invite clients to imagine new possibilities for their spaces.
“We wanted to create an experience. Here, materials are displayed as design pieces, where every texture, color and collection tells a story”, says María José.
The selection also aims to go beyond current trends. The goal is to help clients create spaces with personality that remain relevant over time.
Guidance throughout every project
For María José, choosing a fabric or wallpaper is only one part of the process. Understanding the space and what each client wants is just as important.
That is why personalized service plays a central role at Maréa. As the founder, María José selects the collections, advises clients and works alongside architects and designers on their projects.
This approach reflects one of the brand’s main goals: “We don’t just want to sell a product. We want to help bring a vision to life”.
With Maréa x Tissage, that vision now has a physical home in Ciudad Las Canas. Its arrival expands the interior design options available in the eastern region and brings new resources closer to professionals and residents.
