Morocco: and a tale of tribal jewelry

I have always admired those fine chains, those delicate bands, those feminine studs.  I have always thought pretty, pretty at the single diamond solitaire twinkling at the hollow of the neck.  I recognize the light-as-a-feather bangle paired with the watch, and understand the demure pearls clasped on the ears.  So discreet, so elegant, so mother-approved.  Evidence of sweet avowals of love on appropriate occasions.  Lovely, lovely. 

 Yes, I have always admired that approach.  Always.  

 But as for me…that is another matter altogether.  

The piles of bracelets, the multiple rings, the earrings that reach my shoulders.  The talismans, the amulets, the gris-gris purchased in Turkish boutiques or Yemeni outposts or in Lao online shops.  The chunky, the tribal, the mysterious.  That’s what I wear.  Yes, that’s what I wear every day.  

 

Some of my favorite ethnic chic jewellers: 

* Oriyjn

* Bouvier

* Jewels 

Check out more of my large stash of jewelry here.  And see how I store my jewelry here and here.  

PS Tell me the tales of your jewelry. I'd love to hear. 

Marrakech: and a tale of Peacock Pavilions and nomadic chic

How would you define your style? Somebody asked me that question this week. I replied, nomadic chic or modern tribal.  

Here are a few snapshots around my place, Peacock Pavilions in Marrakesh.

A grouping of old African stools around a sculpture bought in Nepal.

A collection of hands of Fatima custom-made by Caroline Douglas and her students for Peacock Pavilions.

A Moroccan mosque sculpture in front of a vintage Moroccan photo.

A collection of Moroccan pottery, some with Arabic calligraphy.  Deer purchased in India.

 A beaded goat bought in South Africa, in front of a set of antique Tibetan spice boxes.

An old bracelet bought in Afghanistan, nestled in hand beaded African baskets.

Gazelle horns bought in the Marrakech souks, along with a vintage tin of Egyptian cigarettes and an old Afghan bejeweled earring.

Antique Santo from the Philippines hanging around with African masks.  Whale ribs to the fore.

PS Want some bohemian chic of your own?  Visit Red Thread Souk for one of a kind tribal textiles.  Or come to Peacock Pavilions B&B in Marrakech and shop, shop, shop for cool nomadic loot ...........  I'd love to meet you here:-)

Marrakech: a tale of ethnic chic table setting in the Peacock Pavilions dining tent

I conjure up a lot of table settings at Peacock Pavilions in Marrakech and they don't have too much in common with the ones I see in Crate & Barrel catalogues.  Rather, they tend to follow my own brand of ethnic chic, which often involves goods procured in foreign lands mixed with wild abandon.  

Here the flowers from my own rose garden. {These roses smell sublime.}  My vases:  glass Spanish mineral water bottles.

Add in a very long length of nomadic handmade, hand dyed fabric (which is actually Mauritanian dress, worn a bit like a sari). Indian dagmar votives.

Place on top, hand carved lacy placemats/chargers from Indonesia. Custom embroidered peacock feather napkins.

More pattern?  No problem. Bench cushions covered in the embroidery of the Moroccan city of Fez pattern. 

Repeat in multiples, bien sur.

Setting:  Arabian dining tent at Peacock Pavilions.

If possible, add in guests traveling from Tokyo, France, Brazil and the US.

When are you coming?

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PS Amy, this post is for you. Thank you for the good juju you bring. xo

Marrakech: and a tale of Designers Martin Raffone & Bill McIntosh's courtyard house cocktails

Yes, they have an apartment in New York and spend a month each year in St. Barts. And yes they take care of clients in Hong Kong while sourcing art in Barcelona.  

But best yet......they have a courtyard house, hundreds of years old, smack in the middle of the Marrakech medina or old city.  They renovated it from oceans away because that's what one does when you're New York designers Martin Raffone & Bill McIntosh, right?  

And now the renovation is all done.........And it's time for a little cocktail party with gin nestled among the roses. 

More roses in the kitchen (right next to Peacock Pavilions own olive oil).

Here I am with adorable Martin.

And here's Bill. (Check him out without a beard here - ridiculously handsome.)

There were swanky French locals at this cocktail party (ah yes, the kind married to former French TV stars, bien sûr.)

And as for the courtyard house itself.......... New York ethnic chic.....  But I can only give you a sneak peek  (just in case a design magazine wants to shoot it this very week.)

Did I mention that I got home at 2am?  Just a cocktail or two.....?

PS What about you?  Can you imagine buying a courtyard house in Marrakesh?