Marrakech boutique hotel: a tale of Moroccan interior design and beyond at Peacock Pavilions

Here’s the thing:  I could try to woo you, I could try to tell you that it’s perfect, that it’s exactly as I would have wished.  I could tell you that I saw it all in my head, that it was part of some grand master plan and that – clever, clever girl that I am – I went out and made it all happen.  I could tell you that I shopped until I dropped, that I bought everything I wanted, that I paid no attention to the kaching at the cash register.

 But I would be lying. 

Because you see, there are no financiers, no backers, no investors at Peacock Pavilions.  There’s just a family in an olive grove in Marrakech, which looks at its bank balance every single month and sees what it can do.  And so it was that there were things --- many --- that I couldn’t have.  Yes, there was pining and there was longing and there was pleading with one's husband to please reconsider.  But, for the most part (except for a few shining moments, where caution was thrown to the wind) common sense prevailed.  Compromises – Oh, many – were made.

 But here’s the other thing, Peacock Pavilions………..well, it’s a story in objects.  A story of a family who took a risk, who made a gamble, who was determined to live a life that wasn’t so typical, even if it took them miles from anything that they had ever known.  And so it was, so it is, that Peacock Pavilions is a blue print for this journey.  A blue print of every place we’ve ever lived, every trip we’ve ever loved, every assignment we've ever been on.  Whether that’s Nepal or Namibia or Afghanistan or Iraq or Mali or Thailand or Guatamala……….it’s all there……at Peacock Pavilions. 

 I know you’re far away.  I know we’ve never met.  But please………let me show you ---at least a little -- my world that is Peacock Pavilions.

Vintage handpainted Moroccan Glaoui ceiling, glass Egyptian mosque lanterns, 200 year old Persian painting. Dining Room, Medina Pavilion, Peacock Pavilions.

Handmade hooks that I designed myself for Peacock Pavilions. Hand embroidered towels.

Handpainted Moroccan vase.  Bougainvillea from the Peacock Pavilions boutique hotel garden. Room of the Sufi Seamstress, Medina Pavilion.

Old ikat from Indonesia, vintage Moroccan wedding blanket cushions, turn of the century original French poster, 100 year old temple painting from Thailand (a gift from my father).  Room of the Visual Voyager, Medina Pavilion.

Mirrored console (we made it in the room!), custom sculpture by talented Caroline Douglas, vintage peacock chair, photograph of beautiful Berber girl.  Room of the Moorish Muse, Medina Pavilion.

Welcome Packet on a vintage Moroccan tray, antique betal leaf box from Bangladesh.

Oh, perhaps you'll come to our boutique hotel, Peacock Pavilions in Marrakech and see for yourself? The virutal world is amazing.  Real life is even better.............

All images by Katie O'Shaugnessy.  

Marrakech guest house: a tale of the Room of the Sufi Seamstress, Part 2

Oh there are benefits to having a boutique hotel in Marrakech. Namely, you get to play and decorate them the way that you wish. Here's more on the Room of the Sufi Seamstress at Peacock Pavilions.

 

A gold hand embroidered cushion from Om Home.

An antique metal tassel from Turkey, hanging in front of shades made from vintage yellow sari silk.

Detail of an old hand embroidery bought on assignment in Afghanistan.

Table scape with antler and photography books.

Door handles made from old Indian print blocks.

Old steamer trunk with initials.

Cotton percale pillows with the peacock feather embroidered (designed by Vanessa Valencia).

Black Moroccan marble mantle, vintage hand embroidery/tassels from Pakistan, old brass vase from Syria, antique map of Paris, black fossil from Morocco.

 Perhaps you might like to come and stay in Marrakech at Peacock Pavilions?  Read more about Peacock Pavilions right here.

Marrakech: and a tale of an amazing Moroccan party. Part 2

After the dancing down the red carpet, we followed a woman in a boa, through the gardens and down a winding path.  Until we came to Geraldine and David's fantastic house in the Beldi Country Club. 

In their garden was the ultimate outdoor Moroccan dining scene.

Ahem, some men were only partially clad.  I averted my eyes, of course.

I even spied the adorable host, David, with a plate and a gorgeous turban.

Naturally, I also spied a man in a bra and sari.  But that's another matter altogether.

But he was not alone in his jaw dropping attire.

Under the disco lights, intriguing chatting was going on everywhere.

   

Did I mention the music? 

A few people trickled onto the dance floor.

Everyone showing off their favorite moves.

There were even astonishing performances (She says sweating.)

Soon the dance floor was packed.

I even spotted the darling hostess Geraldine in a platinum wig, sunglasses, and shorts.  Looking so fabulous!

 

And I was on the dance floor, too!  (Cough, perhaps best not to show you a picture of that. )

Really, it was all too too much fun.  It was late, very  late when we followed a man in shiny harem pants and left. 

 

 When I looked back over my shoulder, the birthday boy was still partying. 

Happy anniversary Geraldine & David.  Happy Birthday David.  Pls turn 40 again very soon......

Marrakech: and a tale of a Hollywood/Bollywood party to remember. Part 1

I had met them accidentally.  French, charming, stylish...the kind of people you want to know. That was months ago and there had been meet ups since then, including a dinner in the embroidered tent at Peacock Pavilions, Geraldine's Moroccan pique-nique chic  and a soiree at designer Corinne Bensimon's house.

It was during one of those get togethers that I had heard about it.  The party.  Oh, it was to be a party unlike other parties -- a Hollywood/Bollywood extravaganza.  David was turning 40 and it was their 10th wedding anniversary, too.  Friends were flying in from everywhere to celebrate. 

I was in Egypt on assignment but told my travel agent to make sure I would be back in time.  I didn't want to miss it, you see. 

And so this is the tale of that night, that unforgettable night.

*

To start, I dressed for trouble.  I was assuming there would some of that.  And I was right. 

When we arrived, the party was already in full swing. A red carpet runway had been set up in the garden.  This was the very first thing that I saw ....

 
 That was followed by this.

oh. my. Seeing me wide-eyed, this handsome fellow asked if a gin and tonic would be in order.  

 
And so I sipped.  And side-by-side with this beauty..........

 
I watched........as go go girls mixed wiith turbaned princes. 

 
 
All lit by Moroccan lantern light.......

 
everybody looked, well, amazing, if a little, ummm.....

crazy (in the best possible way, of course....)

 
 And then the whole party moved to an entirely different location.  And it all became yet more fantastical.  But that's another tale for another day.

To be continued.