Marrakech: the universe and a tale of so nice media mentions

Dear friends,

It has been a bad, sad, and not-so-good couple of weeks. Let's just say that I've had disappointments.  {The kind that totally threw me for a loop and took my breath away.} 

But you know how when things go wrong, the universe intervenes and tries to make things right? 

Because in addition to the bad, sad and not-so-good news, I have had the good, very good and even-a-little-bit-great news.  Speaking of which, a few media shout outs in my world... 

There were three (!) very kind media mentions due to the uber-talented Stephanie Von Watzdorf of global chic brand, Figue.  Stephanie is a favorite friend and client.  I couldn't be more excited about her new store in Soho!  I shrieked when I saw my name mentioned in yesterday's Women's Wear Daily as the contributing interior designer for the Figue store's look and feel. (And yes, those are copies of my book, Marrakesh by Design on the shelf!)

I am also so happy to see Peacock Pavilions in the September issue of Zink Magazine!  And even closer to my heart is the mention of my little non-profit association, Project Soar, that benefits girls between the ages of 6-12 in my Moroccan village.  Many thanks to adorable writer, Ariane Marder and photographer Christine Johnson!

Also, it's ridiculously thrilling to see my shop, Red Thread Souk, as well as Peacock Pavilions mentioned in the September Harper's Bazaar (pinch me!)!  

Finally, loved seeing this super nice review of Peacock Pavilions in The Independent!  Thank you, thank you Sarah Gilbert!

*********

{And thank you, universe.  You always know how to pick me up when I'm feeling down.  I won't soon forget the lessons you send my way -- bad, good, and somewhere in between.}

love from an olive grove in Marrakesh,

Maryam

Marrakech: and an exciting design update

Dear Friends,

I can't believe it's the end of Summer already.  It's flown by, hasn't it? 

I wanted to share a special design update with you! 

Husband Chris Redecke and I are incredibly excited to be in a feature story in this month's House and Garden Magazine!  Many many thanks to the HG editors and especially to amazing writer Dominic Bradbury and fabulous photographer Richard Powers.  It's always such a pleasure to share Peacock Pavilions.

Also thilled to see Peacock Pavilions and my book, Marrakesh by Design, play a tiny role in Rachel Zoe's Zoe Report!  See adorable Figue designer Stephanie Von Watsdorf with it in this great feature here.

Thanks so much for taking time to come by and check in with me:-)

        Warm wishes from even warmer Marrakech (yikes! HOT!)

        Maryam 

Morocco: and a tale of Moroccan carpets and rugs

Because it's almost Summer, I bring you flowery carpets, I bring you colorful carpets, and I bring you lively carpets.....  

Really.

Find  all my beautiful hand picked stock at my shop, Red Thread Souk.  Afordable, and, yes! payment plans possible.

Afghanistan and the quest for beauty: a tale of pottery, or sort of

I was thinking what it would be like to have someone -- a stranger -- walk into your pottery studio in Afghanistan, when you were just about to leave.

And to have this person, a woman, a foreigner, admire your work. The lines, the forms, the grace.

And to then -- even though you are late -- decide to reach for your clay.  

And change it.

And at your potter's wheel...  

quickly, so quickly....

have the clay grow

until it is something else.

Transformed

under your fingertips.

I wonder if you knew your power.  Your gift. 

Did you?

Because despite the chaos outside.  Outside those doors.  Outside in those Kabul streets.  Outside in those big buildings where people made decisions, or tried to, or pretended to, that affected other people.  Hundreds of people, thousands of people, millions of people.

Despite all that, I wonder if you knew that your clean slice....

would be remembered.  

Beauty and kindness and generousity have always been  -- and will always be -- a form of salvation.

PS Sculptor Caroline Douglas and her master students are at Peacock Pavilions. Making, sharing, giving.  This blog post is for her, and for them.

PPS Subscribe to My Marrakesh here.