Touches of Marrakech

I have been seeing many influences and touches of Morocco and Marrakech designs in interiors of late - I admit my eye does get drawn to great kilim rugs and cushions. It is a trend that is popping up in magazines and books and when I found these images from New York fashion photographer, Jamie who is visiting Marrakech, you can see the appeal. It's great to see the richness, colour and details of the place.

Photographs by Jamie via From Me to You

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Yellow Sunset

Have you ever seen a yellow sunset? I have seen sunsets all over the world, but never a yellow one. My girlfriend Ann just returned from a 10 day camel safari over the sand dunes in Morocco. I am so envious. It has always been my dream to do this. Have you ever seen the movie Lawrence of Arabia starring Peter O'Toole, riding on a camel through the Arabian desert with the Bedouins? Ever since seeing this movie, I have wanted to be in the middle of the desert on a vast expanse of rolling untouched sand, draped in exotic Bedouin garb, riding on a majestic dromedary camel. Soon.

Sunset in Morocco Ann Ponds

PostScript Dec 13 2007
This is a picture of a yellow sunset in Puget Sound sent to me by Paola

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Moroccan Bathroom Inspiration

Maryam and her Husband in Marrakesh have recently purchased an olive orchard and are in the process of building a guest house on it named Peacock Pavilions. This project is a labour of love and is not without it's trials and tribulations for them. But nothing that is of value is free from this fault. There are to be 12 bathroom in all. No small feat. So if I can be of any help Maryam here is a little inspiration for those bathrooms of yours.

Simple, white, fresh
House Beautiful

Polished Nickel Bathtub Urban Archaeology

Let's not forget about the toilet. Funny how these are conveniently never shown in photographs. This is by far the best designed toilet on the market.
Phillip Starck 2 one piece toilet
Elle Decor

Luscaux Tile design Michael Smith


Kohler

Star and Cross Floor Tile Lascaux

Lascaux

John Stefanidis
I love this bathroom. Crisp white shutters - bright painted walls.

Kelly Wearstler

Urban Archaeology

Antonia Hutt

House Beautiful

Lots of white towels, a beautiful mirror and soft pastel painted walls
photo from flickr
top photo Tim Clarke

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends,
modern design, architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

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Moroccan Inspiration

Lately my heart and inspiration has been in Morocco. Although I have never been there, I have been close twice: The Canary Islands in April of this year & Madeira several moons ago. Recently I have developed a blogging friendship and kinship with Maryam who writes a Blog called Moraccan Maryam. Here are some images that by looking at them have me there in a second.

I love the softness of the sand in this photo by Alan Keohane, the color and texture of it and the play of shadows.

Enter through these doors.....to a wonderful oasis within.

This bed needs to be softened up. Imagine this: take away the zebra pillows, replace with some Suzani Pillows like the one below and billowy white gauze draperies floating at the windows and a big bouquet of pink bougainvillea in a vase on the night stand. Oh and add to that picture a slowly turning ceiling fan (Casablanca style).

I see wonderful Moorish style windows to look out.

And a David Hicks Moroccan influenced bed canopy & a cool tiled floor underfoot.

Beside the bed on the cool tile a carpet placed at slight angle.

Add in the adjoining bathroom which is all white tile and cool Calcutta Marble some Moroccan wallpaper.

The adjoining sitting room would have a comfortable mix of furnishings, good books to read, and sunshine streaming in through the windows.

Moroccan influence in coffee table and side table

Dinner is served on the outdoor patio after the sun has set. Lanterns are lit.....

Top image owned by Alan Keohane. May not be reproduced in any form without Keohane's written permission. His portfolio can be seen at http://www.alankeohane.com/.
Marrakech Bed
Delia Shades
Phyllis Morris Marrakech Gate Fabric & carpet
Second to last picture: Elle Decor Aug 2007 Laird Residence by Jeffery Bilhuber

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Marrakesh

Last night I spent some time on the My Marrakesh Blog. It is Maryam's Blog and she lives in Marrakesh, Morocco. Her and her husband have recently purchased 9 acres of olive grove and are building a home there. She hails from the US and has lived in Marrakesh for 6 years. She is an accomplished Blogger and has received quite a few awards for her Blog: The Bloggers Choice Award for Best Travel Blog, The Blogitzer, and she is the finalist in the WebLog Awards for Best African or Middle Eastern Weblog....among others. Her Blog is fabulous and it has wonderful images and information about living in Marrakesh. I listened to her Podcast and now I am dreaming about visiting this wonderful city. Check her out at My Marrakesh .

Maryam did an interview on her blog with Alan Keohane , a British photographer, now living in Marrakesh that caught my attention. "Alan Keohane’s images of Moroccans are some of Morocco’s best known and most loved. His touching portraits of nomads with their camels, Berber women from the Atlas mountains, fantasia horsemen in full regalia, and young beauties preparing for hammam, can be found for purchase in upscale boutiques throughout Marrakech." I fell in love with his images of the desert and went to bed dreaming Lawrence of Arabia dreams. I have to have one of his pieces!!!!!! He wrote a book in 1994 Bedouin Nomads of the Desert which is now out of print and is only available used at the UK Amazon store. I have just put my order in for one and now I can hardly wait to receive it in the mail.

Image owned by Alan Keohane. May not be reproduced in any form without Keohane's written permission. His portfolio can be seen at http://www.alankeohane.com/.
Excerpt taken from My Marrakesh .

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