Life at Peacock

Marrakesh: and a tale of Peacock Pavilions tribal chic

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.  

_MJM9685

 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.  

Peacock Pavilions 1
Moroccan painted ink pot, next to an antique Tibetan altar table.

_MJM9668Moroccan green and white bowl, vintage Indian round box, bejeweled brush bought in the souk.

_MJM9650Antique Filipino nina, topped by a vintage Peruvian halo.  Next to it, part of a huge old bronze Indian urli.

_MJM9640Vintage 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.

_MJM9644Vintage African sculpture bought in Ghana, wearing old motorcycle goggles purchased in Cairo's Khan el Khalili. and antique Malian glass beads

_MJM9633

Golden Indian peacock mirror.  Vintage Egyptian and Ethiopian processional crosses bought in Cairo and Addis Ababa.

_MJM9658Antique 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?

Marrakech Morocco: and a tale of Femina magazine fashion photo shoot at Peacock Pavilions

They were Swedish and Danish.  They were mostly blond. They were Femina Magazine.  

Femina_Sweden_-February_2013-A_kin-A_W_largeA team of 6 - a fashion editor, 2 models, a stylist, a makeup/hair artist & a photographer - came to Peacock Pavilions to shoot not 1, not 2 but 4 fashion stories (and a magazine cover!).  I couldn't have been more excited:-)

They came with bags and bags of clothes that they hung here and there.  IMG_3617-001
  They came with shoes arranged in rows and rows.

IMG_3623

 They came with pairs and pairs of sunglasses.

IMG_3630

And oodles of jewels.

IMG_3690

{The latter displayed for selection in interesting ways like on our Moroccan mobile sink from the 1940s.}

IMG_3632

 There were flowers and herbs from our garden to weave into the hair of the models. 

IMG_3597

Peeking through the blossoms, there were looks for consideration.

IMG_3601

The hairstylist/makeup artist did her magic. 

IMG_3603-001

IMG_3602

And finally....there was shooting!  The camera was enormous!

IMG_3644-001

German model Claudia Raba by the pool....

IMG_3712

and in the Medina Pavilion.

IMG_3681

And Swedish model Ingrid Wrisley in the Atlas Pavilion.

IMG_3666and with all eyes on her....

IMG_3589

in the main Pavilion....

IMG_3583

There was furious photo editing......!

IMG_3729

but we'll have to wait for the final images in the Spring issues of Femina!  Many many thanks to the sweetest fashion editor I've ever met, Sarah Thornqvist.  We loved working with you and your adorable team!

PS  With blooms in her hair, Ingrid perused my book, Marrakesh by Design.  She may be Swedish, but I hope she won't soon forget Marrakesh....

IMG_3610

PPS Photo shoots are one of our very favorite things to do at Peacock Pavilions.  Fashion, jewelry, handbags, bedding, homewares -- we love it all. Our rates are super reasonable even for new brands, and we can help you with everything from models, to photography, to flowers, to props, to camel rental {really}.  Or just come with your goodies and we'll be the most charming shoot location, while providing you with yummy meals and cocktails.  Bookmark us and contact us here to inquire.

Marrakech: and a tale of Vanessa and wedding photography - Part 2

Vanessa.  A bride so light that she was positively luminous.  

And did I mention buoyant?  Of heart, of spirit, and ahem, everything else......

Maryam Montague photography 16

Maryam Montague photography 18

Maryam Montague photography 17

Maryam Montague photography 19
Maryam Montague photography 20 Maryam Montague photography 21

Maryam Montague photography 22 Maryam Montague photography 23

Maryam Montague photography 24
Maryam Montague photography 25
Maryam Montague photography 27
Maryam Montague photography 28

I was so happy to take these bridal shots of Vanessa at Peacock Pavilions.  Because this what you call, really loving life.  

I think we all might have a thing or two to learn from Vanessa.  Yes, a thing or two......

********************************************

 PS Still having fun on Instagram.  Come join me there.  

Marrakech: and a tale of Vanessa and wedding photography - Part 1

Vanessa. She did things her own way. She came for her honeymoon at Peacock Pavilions before her marriage. Then one afternoon, she tucked roses from the garden in her hair and wore wedding dresses (yes, more than one).  Then she swang and twirled and ran.  Because why limit those beautiful dresses to just one day?  And why not celebrate for several?   

Her soon to be husband took pictures of his bride who was not yet his bride.  And so I took a few, too.  

_MJM7657-001
Maryam Montague photography 2

_MJM7672-002
Maryam Montague photography 5

_MJM7754-001
_MJM7768

Maryam Montague photography 3


Maryam Montague photography 4

Maryam Montague photography 14

_MJM7828

Maryam Montague photography 8
Maryam Montague photography 9

Maryam Montague photography 13


Maryam Montague photography7

PS  You will never believe what Vanessa did next!  I'll show you next time.  Promise.

PPS Check out this fun article about patterns and stencils in the Financial Times right here. It has Peacock Pavilions in it!