Life at Peacock

Moroccan design: and a tale of a Moroccan Modello door at Peacock Pavilions in Marrakesh

It's a big door, it's a very big door, this entry door to the Medina Pavilion at Peacock Pavilions.  All painted black, towering overhead.  But I had plans for it.  Big plans.  They involved Melanie Royals from Modello Designs {the way many of my best plans do}.  I wanted something glamorous, something golden, something memorable.  And I wanted to add to the quirky global mix that is Peacock Pavilions.  Because influences from one or two or ten or twenty countries would never do around here. {You'd have to see Peacock Pavilions for yourself, to believe it.}

So Chinoiserie, yes Chinoiserie.  I did my research and I sent Melanie some inspiration images of the nature scene variety.  And then she took them and designed something new, something fabulous.  

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Using a Modello makes everything so much easier.  Melanie designs it, you peel it, apply it, paint it and then peel it off. Or Melanie knows many people who can do it for you, if you prefer.  Those talented Peacock Painters {love them all!} made it happen in less than a day.

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More to come!  {Wait until you see.....It's so beautiful that I stop breathing for a moment each time I look at it.}  And the best part is that Melanie's making stencils of it soon -- just in case you want a little Chinoiserie in your home, too!

Marrakesh: and a tale of Melanie Royals and the Peacock Painters, Part 4

Lovelies,

I'm back from Cairo just in time for a painting retreat at Peacock Pavilions.  Melanie Royals is working her unbelievable stencil magic with a talented group of Peacock Painters.  Oh!  We're painting the floor of a new yoga and pilates platform in the Peacock Pavilions olive grove in Marrakesh. (Yoga and pilates instructors take note!)

The inspiration I sent Melanie for this stencil project was Nigerian textile design.  Here's a sneak peek of the goings on:

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You can't tell in the pictures but the floor is actually a beautiful indigo color that architect husband Chris hand mixed himself!

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Look at this darling peacock feather that Melanie designed!  (Could I love it anymore?  I don't think so.)

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More to come.  Stay tuned!

Love,

Maryam in Marrakesh

PS So happy to be featured on ebay's The Inside Source!  (Did you know I am an ebay addict?)  Many many thanks to the fabulous Heather Summerville for the write up!  Check it out right here.

Marrakech: and a tale of a decorative painting retreat at Peacock Pavilions

When I look around Peacock Pavilions, I think of it as a communal labor of love.  Of course my architect husband, Chris, designed it, workers built it, and I decorated it.  But it goes beyond that, far far beyond.

And if I had a shiny gold star to give today, it would be to Melanie Royals of Royal Design Studio and Modello Designs, and her flocks of Peacock painters.  Oh to them gratitude for 2 beautiful painted staircases, 1 wall, 2 ceilings, 2 floors and a tent!  It's made Peacock Pavilions like, well, nothing else in the world.

And here's the best part: Melanie is coming back this October!  And this time she wants to bring you, {Yes, you.}  {Oh and did I mention that Melanie's designs are on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens this month? It's true!}

 

The fact is that you can learn many of the techniques used at Peacock Pavilions.  And go on to make your own place yet more beautiful! All you need is some instruction from Melanie, practice under her watchful eye, a few simple tools and some patience. Melanie has taught me how, and I've now gone on to decoratively paint so many other areas of Peacock Pavilions myself:  floors, closets, doors, cabinets, and even my file boxes!

The retreat is October 1-10.  Find out all the details RIGHT HERE. {And besides painting, there's plenty of other fun stuff included, too! }

Photo montage video by Melanie.

PS I'd be so so grateful for mentions of this fantastic retreat on blogs, facebook or twitter.  Pls let me know if you do so I can thank you!