Less but better. My home, my life. It's a work in progress. It's true that I love beauty and I collect it. But I also collect the stories. I have many pretty things in my shop, but I thought I would share with you the things that I would buy for myself.
What will you do now? She wondered.
What do you mean? I replied.
I mean, what will you do now that Peacock Pavilions is all done? Now that it's all decorated? She asked.
Oh, it's never done, I said. No, no never done.
Egyptian bowls, one with a vintage snake surround on the bottom and the other 2 filled with African fish vertebrae. Also a little shooting star zellij tile piece. In the background roses in the fountain that we built ourselves.
Moroccan painted ink pot, next to an antique Tibetan altar table.
Moroccan green and white bowl, vintage Indian round box, bejeweled brush bought in the souk.
Antique Filipino nina, topped by a vintage Peruvian halo. Next to it, part of a huge old bronze Indian urli.
Vintage hand embroidered skull caps bought in Kabul in an old wooden Jewish couscous platter. Couch covered in a vintage Moroccan blanket. Cushions that I pieced together from African blankets, German velvet and snippets of old saris. A vintage Indian yoga sculpture in the background.
Vintage African sculpture bought in Ghana, wearing old motorcycle goggles purchased in Cairo's Khan el Khalili. and antique Malian glass beads.
Golden Indian peacock mirror. Vintage Egyptian and Ethiopian processional crosses bought in Cairo and Addis Ababa.
Antique Moroccan jade pottery collection. One piece filled with peacock feathers, shed from our very own peacocks at Peacock Pavilions.
PS I'm in Egypt, right now.
PPS My publisher just told me that they are going back to press for another printing of my Moroccan design book, Marrakesh by Design! So excited. Do you have a copy yet? What did you think?
I remember when I went to the Mousem of Tan Tan -- the largest annual gathering of bedouins and nomads. I remember their beautiful peaked tribal tents. Within the tents, the furniture was kept deliberately minimal. Instead, they were furnished with Moroccan tribal carpets and Moroccan striped blankets. Of course, there was the ubiquitous smattering of Moroccan kilim carpet cushions and colorful Moroccan carpet poufs.
It was a setting meant for lounging in the original sense of the word: ie half sitting, half reclining, a glass of Moroccan mint tea in hand, casually chatting and laughing, a game or two played. It all seemed so relaxed.
I remember thinking to myself, these could be my people. Or perhaps, these are the people I wish I could be.
Now I'm thinking that these could be your people, too. Or at least their stylish tribal design sense.
Now for sale in Red Thread Souk......piles of one-of-a-kind Moroccan carpet cushions. Such ethnic chic. Many of the backs are entirely different than the front, getting you two great built in options.
Oh, and see my gorgeous black sequinned wedding blanket cushions - just the right modern day Moroccan touch -- on their own or as a counterfoil to the Moroccan kilim cushions.
And of course the Moroccan carpet poufs....such a graphic statement in pairs........
More, please, more.....
PS Now if only I had a beautiful Moroccan tribal tent that I could also pack up and strap to my camel...... Now come to think of it, if I only had a camel........
