May 2012

MAY 2012

INDEX

ARCHIVE

SHOP THIS PRODUCT

SAVE

BUY

SHOP THIS PAGE

Maryam’s Tips for Decorating with Moroccan Flair Many Moroccan front doors are painted blue to dispel the evil eye, but you don’t need to believe in genies to get out your paint can. And a blue door makes such a welcoming (and memorable) entry for you and your guests. Wood floors are a rarity in Morocco, a country famous for its sandy stretches, so Moroccans always warm up the floors with cozy carpets and flat-weave rugs. My shop, Red Thread Souk, has a curated collection. Take a peek: www.redthreadsouk.com Pattern is essential in any Moroccan decorating scheme. For an inexpensive fix, I like to stencil Moroccan patterns on surfaces from floors to stair risers to ceilings. Royal Design Studio has a huge selection of affordable Moroccan stencils. Moroccan lanterns are ubiquitous in the souks. But rather than just one large pendant light, Moroccans often like to cluster several smaller light fixtures, showering the light below. This is a dramatic look and worth trying out. Ceilings are often a forgotten surface in America. But in Morocco, they’re the pinnacle of design. Consider wallpapering or painting your ceiling with a graphic pattern. You’ll want to laze around all day on the bed or couch gazing upward! You don’t need to come to Marrakech to shop Moroccan. In my new book, Marrakesh by Design, I share tips on the best things to buy, with a resource guide to help you find out where to purchase them! 2012 MAY A black Moroccan wedding blanket, used here as a coverlet, is of Montague’s own design, a playful reinterpretation of a classic. Such blankets, traditionally worn by brides on their wedding day, are embellished with mirrored sequins to bring good luck and ward off malevolent spirits. Lonny 225