Marrakech: and a tale of a J Crew shoot for Madewell at Peacock Pavilions

They arrived at Peacock Pavilions, 18 of them --a crew from the UK, from Japan, from Canada, from the US.... and, well, from J Crew.... (Can it be?  Pinch me!) 

With their cameras....

and with their huge screens set up in our olive grove...

They were at Peacock Pavilions to keep a watchful eye on their model, Alana...

And watch her they did....

There was hair....

And there was makeup...

And by the light of the moon, by the light of the stars...

Alana was transformed.....(but I can't show you those pictures.  You'll have to wait for the Madewell April lookbook....)

Suddenly Madewell gave a whole new meaning to what it is to be in  Marrakesh by design....

Special thanks to the adorable Tara Rehak from J Crew!

PS New stock of gorgeous Moroccan handiras (wedding blankets) and Beni Ouarain carpets in Red Thread Souk.  Check it out!

Marrakesh: and a tale of lucky, lucky

Dear friends,

Some fun things are happening here:

* So excited to be giving tips on some favorite Marrakesh places in the November issue of Travel & Leisure Magazine!

 

*I was lucky enough to spend the day shopping in Marrakesh with the uber-talented Lily Cooper (also known as Lily Allen).  She bought some gorgeous things including Moroccan carpets, Moroccan lanterns, Moroccan poufs, embroideries, and more.  (I love her album and this song of hers, in particular.)

* It's so fun to have the amazing guitarist of the Dandy Warhols staying with us at Peacock Pavilions (along with his super cool wife, Michelle).  I'm crazy about this provocative song of theirs and their album.  

* My Dad, Joel Montague, has donated one of his outsider art collections to the Fowler Museum.  It will be on exhibit from December 2, 2012–March 31, 2013.  If you're in LA, please stop by. I'm so proud of him!

love,

Maryam

PS So touched by this blog post by Raven and Lily about their stay and photoshoot at Peacock Pavilions.

PPS The darling Heart and Home Magazine editors are doing a give away of my book, Marrakesh by Design.  Enter here.

Marrakech: and a tale of a girl who could fly like a Raven

She knew how to fly.  And just as important, she knew how others could fly, too -- fly like a raven.

She was at Peacock Pavilions on the day, on the special day, when she turned 40.

The kitchen was a hive of activity.

We set the table in our Moroccan dining tent until it was just right.

Soon they filtered in.  Her friends & colleagues had come from afar...

to be with her.

She read the card, her birthday card.

Oh! her eyes gleamed.

Because inside her package was, well...

her wings.

Now everyone could see her feathers on the outside...

And all....was aflutter.

(Beautiful cape by Eric Raisina)

You can help others fly like a raven, too.  Learn more about Raven and Lily (and shop!) -- empowering women through design. Jewelry with heart.

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Marrakech: and a tale of my house in Living Etc. Magazine

So very happy to see my house at Peacock Pavilions in the pages of one of my favorite British design magazines, Living Etc.  

I wanted to share a few shots with you.

I did these very pretty stairs in collaboration with Melanie Royals and the Peacock Painters.  And I stenciled the door myself!  You can buy the stencils right here.  

My great room at Peacock Pavilions with its beautiful octagonal dome with peep holes (thanks to my talented architect husband, Chris Redecke) .  I designed the lanterns myself.  You can find similar Beni Ouarain carpets in my Red Thread Souk.

The enormous advertising banner is Spanish and was purchased several years ago.  I have a second identical one that I horded because I love it so much (makes a huge, cool impact).  It is $925.  Contact me (moroccanmaryamATyahooDOTcom) if you would like to make it yours. 

Breakfast nook in my kitchen.  I designed the pillows in vinyl, to make cleanups super easy.  The floor tiles are from Popham Design.

My office where I write this blog!  The floors were done with a custom Modello and tell a little tale that I wrote.  My husband and I built the shelves, and I stenciled my file folder boxes.  I handmixed the paint color for the walls.

Pick up a copy of the current Living Etc. to see all the images, including the floorplans of our house!  If you would like to see more pics of our house (and many more Moroccan houses), puruse by book, Marrakesh by Design.

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Photography by the amazing Richard Powers.  Many thanks to Tiffany Burch Nichols for scanning the photos and sending them along.

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