Morocco: and a tale of Moroccan Beni Ouarain carpets

I’m quite sure that in a previous life I was a carpet merchant. I spent my days sipping tea and lounging on the finest examples of my stock, getting up only to furl and unfurl beauties one after another, earning admiring looks from customers and passersby. I come by my love of carpets honestly -- my mother is Persian, and so carpets are clearly in my blood. I grew up in houses filled with all sorts of woolen pile rugs, intricately patterned silk carpets, and tightly woven antique kilims. The carpets were meticulously cared for, and indeed, they were my responsibility in my family. Twice a week I would carefully move furniture out of the way and vacuum them, going only “with the wool,” as my mother had taught me. Each day when we left our home, the curtains would be drawn to ensure that the carpets didn’t fade prematurely.  

You see, some people buy a home and fill it with carpets. Others buy carpets and wait to have a home to put them in. I fall into the latter category.  

So it's no wonder that in this life I've managed to become a carpet dealer, too. (No point in fighting destiny, afterall.)  And I have beautiful new stock of vintage Moroccan Beni Ourains (including some smaller and more affordable ones).  These are investment pieces that make the whole room grounded and more fabulous.  Did I mention that I have new stock of wedding blankets, too?  Well, I should have.... 

Moroccan wedding blanket 562, 86 inches long, 56 inches wide (Beautiful at the foot of a bed.)

Moroccan Beni Ourain 310, 55 inches long, 102 inches wide. (So want to keep this one!)

Moroccan wedding blanket 604.  73 inches long, 41 inches wide (Super shaggy fringe. *YES*)

Moroccan weddiing blanket 604  93  inches long, 45 inches wide. (Sigh, sublime.)

Moroccan Beni Ouarain 306, 48 inches wide, 84 inches long (Glowy and coveted smaller size!!!)

Moroccan Beni Ouarain 299,  73 inches long, 116 inches wide (Dreamy and shaggy underfoot.  Gorgeous.)

Moroccan Beni Ouarain 309, 72 inches wide, 133 inches long (Hipster preppy with its amazing sideways diamonds.)

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See all my stock right here.  And email me at Moroccanmaryam (at) yahoo (dot) com for pricing on any pieces that sing to you:-)

Marrakesh: and a tale of joy and jumping

When did we stop jumping?  Why did we think that there was a jumping expiry date somewhere around age 13?  

Here's the thing, there is no excuse for not jumping.  None.  Because we all deserve that feeling.  The kind where you're weightless.  Your arms stretched out, your hair all crazy. The pure exhilaration. And for a moment you think you might really know

what astronauts feel at lift off 

and

what it's like, really 

for birds to fly.  

Have a beautiful weekend.  Try to jump if you can:-) I will be.

Marrakesh: and a tale of sadness and color

I was out with friends this weekend, when I remembered. A time long, long ago. A dark time. A time when everything seemed drab, and, well, hopeless. My world for some months seemed color-free.

Someone reached out to me then and helped me.  It's been two decades since but I will never forget his act of kindness.

If you are traversing one of those times yourself, I want you to know that I know.  I remember what that's like even after all these years.  

This post is for you.  I give you...color. I hope it finds a way to creep into your grey.

I promise you beauty still awaits you.

Marrakesh: and a tale of a dreamy weekend

This weekend, bring back the art of long afternoon naps.  {Preferably on freshly changed sheets and maybe even a fan on a low setting?!}  

Bonus points for guests of the canine or feline variety:-)

 
Image from a photo shoot I did at a French designer's house in Marrakesh

Have a beautiful weekend!