Marrakesh: and a tale of an exciting update at Peacock Pavilions.

Dear Friends,

It’s been a busy time at Peacock Pavilions, in terms of work and play.  I thought I’d share with you a few fun things that have been happening!

• A while back you might have remembered that I wrote about our involvement in an Irish reality TV show, called WWOOFÁIL, about volunteers who WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms).  Peacock Pavilions was chosen as one of six sites for the show because we’ve had WWOOFers since we opened.  The show began airing on the Irish station TG4 on March 21 at 10 p.m., and you can watch it on TG4’s player- www.tg4.tv.  The episode at Peacock Pavilions is the last in the series and will broadcast on April 25.  Tune in if you can (I haven’t seen it myself and so will be watching, too!). The two stars of the show -- Mairéad Ní Chuaig and Conall Ó Máirtín -- are adorable!  

•  We feel so fortunate to have recently had Peacock Pavilions shot by talented Danish stylist Lykke Foged and amazing Danish photographer Morten Holtum. These two take a very pure and personal approach to their work and I really enjoyed getting to know them.  Looking forward to publication sometime soon:-) 

• I am very excited to be a small part of a new avant-garde business magazine (print and online) called, Cake and Whiskey, geared towards businesswomen.  In the next year, the magazine is teaming up with amazing companies like Cartier and Citi, and women’s organizations such as Women Impacting Public Policy and 85 Broads to reach women globally.  If you are a businesswoman or would like to be, I urge you to consider subscribing to Cake and Whiskey.  You can get 25% off your subscription with the code MM25.  {You’ll see my face and some business-oriented tips from me in the Summer issue.}

• I mentioned to you that we were thrilled to have Peacock Pavilions featured in the German Magazine, Flair - Fashion & Home.  What we didn't know is that our house made the cover (cartwheels!). 

Hope Spring has sprung wherever you are:-) 

                as ever, in a Marrakesh olive grove,

                                            Maryam

PS Crazy about Pinterest these days.  Check out my boards right here.  Also let's chat on Twitter hereif you are so inclined.  

Marrakesh: a tale of Hassan Hajjaj and Riad Yima

I love stories  of redemption, of meteoric rises.  

Hassan Hajjaj told me that growing up his parents were so poor that they couldn't afford to buy him a single toy.  He used to comb the Moroccan beach near his home to see what the sea washed up.  He made his own toys, with the sea's discards.  

As a teenager, a low paid job for Hassan's father brought the whole family to London. They lived nine in a single room without a bathroom. 

But Hassan saw in the world something different.  He broke free and made his own way, becoming a club manager, a shop owner, a fashion designer, a lauded photographer. 

And then Hassan went back to Morocco and bought Riad Yima, his Marrakech courtyard house.

And had everything he never grew up with.

Riad Yima is also a shop, featuring Hassan's own pop modern designs.

 poufs...
Upcycled lanterns and furniture...

And, of course, Hassan's iconic photography.

If you're in Marrakech....make sure to drop by for a glass of mint tea...

 Riad Yima
52 derb Aarjane Rahba lakdima Medina
Marrakech Morocco
Tél: +212 (0) 524-391-987
E-mail: riadyima@yahoo.co.uk

Marrakech: and a tale of where to see photography in Marrakech

If I had any real money, I'd collect photography.  Preferably black and white, preferably film, preferably portraits.  In Marrakech, there's Gallerie 127, which is always showing something on the photographic front.  

Recently I was at a Marco Barbon polaroid exhibit opening (inspired, perhaps, by the lovely authors of this book who have held two polaroid retreats at Peacock Pavilions).

Nathalie Locatelli, the stylish gallery owner was there. (Nathalie's beautiful Moroccan courtyard house is in my book, Marrakesh by Design.)

And of course, photographer Marco Barbon, who had flown in from Italy. 

There was wine....

and there were treats (even pad thai eaten with handmade wooden forks)....

But mostly, there was Marco's photography of Morocco....

which was contemplated....

or even scrutinized....

The verdict?  A thumbs up....

Gallerie 127
127, Avenue Mohammed V
Guéliz - Marrakech
Tel :  +212 (0)524 43 26 67 - +212 (0) 661 33 99 53
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 3pm-7pm
{Marco Barbon exhibit showing until April 6}

PS Subscribe to My Marrakesh here.  Let's be friends on Facebook here or take a look at my Pinterest boards here.

Marrakech: and a tale of my still curious home - Part 2: my guestroom

And the tour of my curious things continues....  Today the guest room in my home at Peacock Pavilions. For friends and family when they come to Marrakesh to visit.  

A lamp made by an American artisan from my own Buddha hand, ceramic bird and religious charms.  Moroccan roses in a vase that doubles as a Moet champagne container.

A wool pom pom blanket of my own design as well as a vintage Moroccan flat weave cushion (soon in Red Thread Souk!).  One of my vintage Moroccan wedding blankets, known as handiras (Scroll down to see those for sale here).

Old curly shoes bought in Pakistan. A book on Diana Vreeland given to me by her son and a book on Mary given to me by my father.

A vintage motorcycle model found in the Marrakesh souks rests on an antique Tibetan chest.

Pillow I made from Egyptian fabric with Arabic calligraphy.

A vintage suzani with a crocheted & sequined border bought on assignment in Kyrgyzstan.  A glimpse of the stenciled floor -- a Moroccan bone weave pattern I found -- that was created into a stencil by Royal Design Studio.

A brass bowl with a bird, purchased in Cairo. In the backdrop, old tribal earrings I bought in Yemen.

An 18th century Buddha given to me by my parents.

Vintage Moroccan baskets resting on old tassel hanging from Afghanistan.  I made the table with tiles from Popham Design.

A lamp I made from an old beaded Afghan hat.  A vintage toy car found in the Marrakech souks.

Antique mirrors and santos halo from Peru.  Feather donated by my peacock, Maurice.

What strange and curious things are in your guestroom?

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