Marrakesh's Peacock Pavilion: and a tale of Moroccan interior design

Happy Monday, Lovelies.  

Thought I would share a glimpse of a new guest room I'm working on in the Atlas Pavilion in Marrakesh.  

Down a spiral staircase and you will find.... 

A collection of old Moroccan windows, some hundreds of years old, that I've bought in the souks.

A thrifted wood Moroccan star light from the 1960s.  Paintings I commissioned from Michelle Armas.  An old armoire we painted white.

We tinted the cement floors a pale mocha.  And then talented Peacock Painter Todd Oberndorfer stenciled them using a gorgeous Moroccan stencil that Melanie Royals designed for Peacock Pavilions (and can be purchased here).  Hand carved wood trim for the day bed.

More to come :-)  

PS New stock of Moroccan wedding blankets or handiras in my shop, Red Thread Souk.  Check them out here.

Marrakesh: and a tale of remembering, again

Dear friends,

It was 19 years ago today that it happened.  A squeal of the wheels, a twist of the tires and then a face -- my own -- suddenly gone.  

And so it is today that I remember.   I remember My Year of Living Ugly.  This day always seems to come as a reminder just when I need it.  

Here's wishing you a weekend of reflection.  I know I'll be having my own.

With love from Marrakesh,

Maryam

PS I'm in this month's issue of Glam, included in a piece on ethnic dressing. Many thanks to writer, Deepti Chadalavada:-)

Marrakesh: and a tale of lost beauty

She told me that she remembered when.  When they stopped looking.  

                                                                Men. 

She had always been a beauty.  Her glossy black hair, her strong brows, her slim waist.  She had her clothes tailored to exact precision.  Her evening gowns were of the memorable variety.

My father told me that when he brought her to cocktail parties that no one ever paid attention.  To him, that is. 

She was a woman of substance:  a medical doctor, an achiever.  But she knew the power....  

                                    the power of her beauty.

And then slowly it began to ebb:  the beauty that made them look.  Relentless, uncompromising, insidious.  

It was then that they started saying, She must have been so very beautiful.    

Treasure your beauty.  It's yours.  And then {Oh!} it's gone.

Images taken at a photography exhibit of Lili Roze at the La Mamounia. Exhibit through the end of September, 2011, in Marrakesh.

Morocco: and the last dregs of Summer

My children went back to school today and I realized....

                                that Summer in Morocco was over.  

                                                                                        {I miss it already.}

Oh, the sand beneath my toes.

Fresh fish at the markets.

Casual outdoor projects.

Boats the perfect blue in Essaouira.

Surfing in Mirleft.

Freedom. The kind only Summer brings.

I can't wait, No, I can't wait.....

                                for next Summer.  Please come soon.