Friday, April 6, 2012

MARRAKECH: SOUK IT TO ME

The traditional red Fez hat

Food cooked in a Tagine. Shopping in a dusty, winding Souk. People wearing Djellabas and Fez. Snake charmers. Detailed tile work. Saturated clear colors. Moorish archways. Hideous Kinky, Kate Winslet's early movie about a British mom that escapes to Morocco in the 1970's, based on a novel by Esther Freud. Yves Saint Laurent. Bill Willis. Just a few of the things that come to mind when I think of exotic, Palm Tree - laden Morocco. I will be departing soon to visit Marrakesh, courtesy of the Design Leadership Summit and the Moroccan National Tourist Office, Kingdom of Morocco. I look forward to reporting back on the wonderful events, tete a tete's with interior designers, shopping excursions and architecture and garden tours.
If you have any places on your Morocco list I hope you will share them!

Photos courtesy of Thames and Hudson
Capturing the essence of living in this exotic paradise, Marrakech Style includes interiors by American-expat the late Bill Willis.

Yves Saint Laurent's second project with Willis, Villa Oasis, incorporated vibrant tile, intricate inlay and artisan - made architectural elements. His legendary interiors, created for the likes of Baroness Guy de Rothschild, and the Getty's helped define how we think of Moroccan interior style. Dar Yacout, a house-turned restaurant is apparently a must-visit experience.

Photo courtesy of Majorelle Gardens
Yves Klein blue covering the exterior buildings at the magnifique Majorelle Gardens and museum, now owned by Foundation Pierre Berge.

Photo courtesy of Mosaic House
Intricately patterned richly colored and detailed tile like Mosiac House's Batha tile will be everywhere!

Photo courtesy of Dransfield and Ross
Curvy archways are evocative of Moroccan landscapes, and the Mogador Table from Dransfield and Ross is of my favorite pieces that captures the lines in such an elegant fashion.
Photo courtesy of Serena and Lily
A hammered metal table lamp from Serena and Lily showcases a classic shape with a textured metal surface.

Photo courtesy of Made Goods
Gilt wood and elaborate carvings such as the carving seen here in Made Goods Myla Mirror are sure to be many places I venture.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Young
Like stepping through a Moorish arch, a tooled leather mirror with a circular pattern from Jamie Young is transporting.

Photo courtesy of Currey and Company
All-over piercings in the Tangier Lantern from Currey and Company shed a warm glow.

Photo courtesy of Wunderley
A large pierced - brass hanging lantern with colored glass by Wunderley.

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie
A hand - painted bowl from Anthropologie with a natural floral inside a Moorish flourish feels pretty and exotic.

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie
Hand tied dyed bits of cloth in Anthropologie's Quedima Rug is a traditional Moroccan technique, so I am sure I will see this style in the souk.

Rugs will be available in every imaginable color. Saturated Zigzags Rug Anthropologie

5 comments:

greg tankersley said...

Safe travels and I look forward to seeing in you at the DLS!

Bethanne Matari said...

Marisa, thanks for including Currey's Tangier Pendant. We have a new Montauk Moroccan Collection which will be introduced at the upcoming April Market in High Point. Hope you can stop by-IHFC, M110 on Main Street-April 21 to 26!

kayce hughes said...

I am so excited for you!

Allison Hennessy said...

Marisa, have the best trip! Can't wait to hear what cool ideas you co,e back with!

Yehia abdelnour said...

Welcome to Marrakech...I know that there is a visit of Majorelle garden's Friday at 6pm....i hope u will have the time to visit 33Ruemajorelle , a brand new conceptstore located just opposite the entrance of the gardens.....We have been dubbed the "Colette" of morocco and stock more then 60 designers in fashion , accessories and homewares....
Best regards
33Rue majorelle
Rue Yves Saint-Laurent
Marrakech
www.facebook.com/33RueMajorelle