Byron and Dexter Peart, the twin co-founders of Want Les Essentiels —known for creating sleek luggage, duffel bags, and gadgets at reasonable price points, exited the business in 2017 to pursue other ventures including a redesign of a resort in Belize. The Matachica resort is the first business from the brothers’ “purpose-led” design studio Byron and Dexter Design – established to follow on from WANT Les Essentiels. For the project, the duo was enlisted by owner and fellow Montrealer Daniel Lighter to reimagine the overall design and guest experience of Matachica Resort & Spa on Ambergris Caye in Belize – a country on the eastern coast of Central America. “We asked him to list keywords to describe his vision, and he responded: unplugged, authentic, nature, human,” Byron and Dexter Peart told Dezeen. Those words formed the basis for the visual language of the environment that we set out to create at Matachica. “Our worldly sensibility, attention to detail and experience curating brands uniquely positioned us to work with Matachica,” said Dexter Peart. “The result is a redefined Belizean beach experience that honours craftsmanship, sustainability, and functionality.” Designing the resort “with purpose” took form through supporting traditional artisan crafts, and curating unique and collectible interior objects. The property also intended to incorporate the inherent beauty of Ambergris Caye and its architectural character. Matachica resort is among a number of enticing holiday spots in Central America, including a surf retreat and a beach resort featuring a waterfall in Costa Rica.
Murals of native plants and animals that Montreal-based illustrator Cécile Gariépycreated to draw on the Caribbean are painted on the bedroom walls. Gariépy also hand-painted signage throughout the hotel. 
