| the Moroccan home is a palace of the imagination | | | | extraordinary visual playground. Imagine coming |
| and a poetic harmonizing between man and the | | | | home after a long day's work and slipping into a |
| natural world. Walls borrow their hues from the | | | | living room oasis where you're bathed in soft |
| earth and desert sand - muted reds and honeyed | | | | reds, yellows and oranges while resting on a plush |
| yellows. Tedelakt, the ancient technique of | | | | cushion, next to a set of mini palm trees, |
| rendering smooth waxed surfaces using a colored | | | | breathing in the scent of Jasmine incense, listening |
| limestone paste and black soap, give walls and | | | | to light jazz flutes. Selecting Moroccan furniture |
| floors all the appearance of clay ceramic. Interior | | | | isn't just about functionality anymore; it's about |
| structuring takes on organic shapes. Bends and | | | | creating a comfortable habitat where you can |
| arches complement geometric zellige tiles and | | | | relax, de-stress and enjoy your downtime. |
| curvilinear vases, set with fresh roses from the | | | | Finding the right lighting is the key to creating an |
| garden. Floaty, gossamer curtains in place of | | | | ideal atmosphere. As early as 5,000 BC, the |
| doors give a pleasing open feeling to the living | | | | Chinese have been building homes in correlation |
| space, while allowing breezes to circulate freely. | | | | with the sun to provide optimal light, warmth and |
| The Moroccan home is a unique blend of African, | | | | energy. Historically, Morocco has hosted groups of |
| Berber, and Islamic aesthetics. Plush cushions in | | | | diverse people from all directions - Phoenicians and |
| richly textured fabrics are set upon carved | | | | Carthaginians from the East, Sub-Saharan Africans |
| ebony-stained pine and cedar moucharabi furniture. | | | | from the South, in addition to Romans, Vandals |
| Casting the afternoon sunlight in abstract patterns | | | | and Andalusians from the North. This Diaspora of |
| are pierced metal and brass lamps standing on | | | | culture comes together and can be clearly seen in |
| tables or hanging overhead. Seating, tables, and | | | | these colorful Moroccan lamps and lanterns. |
| accessories throughout the home are patterned | | | | What makes Moroccan lamps truly unique is that |
| and shaped by beautifully crafted hexagonal, | | | | they're not mass-produced in a sterile factory -- |
| octagonal and arched forms. The total effect is a | | | | but rather, each shade is made of sheep or |
| private visual playground and a welcoming | | | | goatskin and is then dyed and stretched over a |
| museum-like showland that is at once masterful | | | | solid iron frame, where it is hand-painted with a |
| and inviting. | | | | needle in brilliant colors, in the decorative tradition |
| The scents of cedar and roses eddy with the | | | | of Henna tattoo artistry. Dating back to the |
| aroma of lamb and apricots. Guests have arrived | | | | Bronze Age, Henna design mimics the Henna plant, |
| with a tap-tapping of a brass knocker on a heavy | | | | which has a plethora of long, thin stalks and tiny |
| wooden door. The setting sun fires the purple-pink | | | | blossoms. Much like the tattoos, the lamp designs |
| of jasmine and bougainvillea in the garden outside, | | | | showcase fluid black lines and shapes, outlined by |
| as Tajine simmers a last few minutes in the oven. | | | | tiny dots. |
| Domestic architecture in Morocco varies greatly | | | | Moroccan lamps, varying in shape, size, color and |
| according to regional climate and personal wealth. | | | | mood offer the opportunity to turn your living |
| There are the simple stucco constructions of the | | | | room into a stunning art museum. The African |
| poorer townsfolk, and there are villas of such | | | | Berbers were primarily an agricultural people, so |
| magnificence as to lure the wandering soul across | | | | the curved "Berber" floor lamp is painted with a |
| several continents for the mere occasion to stand | | | | classy, simple style in neutral colors. Tall, slender |
| enchanted outside their gates. | | | | styles like "The Pharaoh's Light", "Red Sun" or |
| In Moroccan homes irrespective of means the | | | | "Orange Magical Arabian Nights" capture one's |
| blind indented arch is a most charming feature, | | | | imagination, while dazzling with dancing patterns, |
| one whose inspiration is taken directly from the | | | | vibrant colors and swaths of vacuous space that |
| mihrab, or prayer niche constructed on the qibla | | | | instinctively pulls the eyes toward it in |
| wall of the mosque. The interior courtyard, or | | | | wonderment. End table lamps like "African Sun" or |
| riad, is another characteristic element of Moroccan | | | | "Fez Sun" provide multifunctional use, emanating a |
| architecture and of Islamic architecture in general. | | | | soothing glow, while the glass top holds a piece of |
| Situated most often at the center of the home, | | | | art, a plant or a tea set for entertaining guests. |
| the riad is a tool for privacy and practicality. Since | | | | When you behold a piece like "Ocean Sun," |
| often the main door off the street opens onto | | | | breathing moonlight into the room with its purple |
| the courtyard, visitors are directed from the patio | | | | hues and oceanic design, you know that this lamp |
| into a salon used especially for entertaining - and | | | | is not just for providing light, but is a piece of art |
| this without ever passing through other the living | | | | that will compliment other furniture and themes in |
| areas of the home. The riad allows for plenty of | | | | the room. |
| light and needed shade, since the sun's rays and | | | | Moroccan lanterns made of stained glass resemble |
| also cooler air can permeate the whole of the | | | | the sort of Church decor that pervades the Holy |
| dwelling, while at the same time the harsher | | | | Land. The shapes range from a rounded hot air |
| elements of wind and direct sunlight are kept out. | | | | balloon design, to a diamond-shaped street lantern |
| Interior decor is essential to Islamic architecture. | | | | style and they can be hung from the ceiling or |
| Vaults, cupolas, and arched doorways are principle | | | | mounted on the wall. Traditionally, the stained |
| features which serve both functional and aesthetic | | | | glass panes are subtle, soothing colors - an olive |
| purposes. In some village homes, recessed walls | | | | green, a periwinkle blue or a hint of gold. |
| and benches set in cement stucco offer simple | | | | Handmade and framed in black wrought iron, |
| detail. | | | | Moroccan lanterns can bring that one |
| More elaborate elements may include geometric | | | | unforgettable, warm summer night into your |
| and floral motifs carved into wood beams or | | | | home. |
| plaster walls. Ceramic tile, known as zellige, is also | | | | Moroccan lamps and Moroccan lanterns will add an |
| used, and may be applied to any and all surfaces, | | | | air of magic to any room. When paired with |
| and not limited to walls, floors, roofs, and ceilings. | | | | Moroccan rugs, plants and other Moroccan |
| Creative and surprising patterns, molded organic | | | | furniture, these handmade Moroccan lights really |
| materials, and the intriguing lines of Moroccan | | | | put the finishing touches on a relaxing, unique |
| structural motifs make the Moroccan home an | | | | escape. |