Decorating Styles
Book to Know: 'Marrakesh by Design'
A transplanted design connoisseur shares ways to conjure the enticing feel of Morocco in your home and outdoor rooms
While the romance of Morocco has drawn travelers to the country for centuries, its distinctive home aesthetic — a combination of Middle Eastern romanticism and French formalism — has arguably been the country's greatest ambassador around the world.
Maryam Montague was not immune to the country's appeal. She moved to Morocco with her family for what she thought was a temporary stint; 10 years later, she owns a boutique hotel in Marrakesh called Peacock Pavilions and has produced Marrakesh by Design, a fascinating guide to Moroccan home design.
Filled with gorgeous photography of real Moroccan homes, Montague's newly published book makes the style accessible through a helpful breakdown of key design elements — color, finishes, patterns and more — and how-to guides.
Montague's approach is decidedly contemporary: While imparting a deep appreciation for the enduring beauty of Morocco's traditional architecture and craftsmanship, she provides tips on how the modern home can incorporate touches of Moroccan flair, from installing banquette-style seating in the living room to composing stylish outdoor lounges. Here's some of her insight to use in your own home.
Maryam Montague was not immune to the country's appeal. She moved to Morocco with her family for what she thought was a temporary stint; 10 years later, she owns a boutique hotel in Marrakesh called Peacock Pavilions and has produced Marrakesh by Design, a fascinating guide to Moroccan home design.
Filled with gorgeous photography of real Moroccan homes, Montague's newly published book makes the style accessible through a helpful breakdown of key design elements — color, finishes, patterns and more — and how-to guides.
Montague's approach is decidedly contemporary: While imparting a deep appreciation for the enduring beauty of Morocco's traditional architecture and craftsmanship, she provides tips on how the modern home can incorporate touches of Moroccan flair, from installing banquette-style seating in the living room to composing stylish outdoor lounges. Here's some of her insight to use in your own home.
Layer, and layer some more. As Montague states, "Moroccan style is not for the minimalist." The exuberant mix of colors and patterns in this cozy nook shows the Moroccan bohemian style to full effect. To get this look, pile a variety of textiles on your bed or couch and top with a cacophony of cushions. Lay a colorful rug over a patterned floor. Remember, more is more.
Tip: Poufs are not only a great decorative element; they provide seating and extra surface space in a pinch.
Tip: Poufs are not only a great decorative element; they provide seating and extra surface space in a pinch.
Create a Moroccan salon. Pair a low-slung couch with an eye-catching rug and a smattering of tea tables, then add floor cushions and poufs. Several hanging lanterns grouped as shown here also is a popular Moroccan design flourish.
Tip: The walls and ceiling of this living room are covered in tadelakt, a lime-based surface application that infuses rooms with a soft color and keeps walls free of dust. Tadelakt is perfect for anyone who those wanting to bring a desert languor into their home.
Tip: The walls and ceiling of this living room are covered in tadelakt, a lime-based surface application that infuses rooms with a soft color and keeps walls free of dust. Tadelakt is perfect for anyone who those wanting to bring a desert languor into their home.
Install banquette-style seating for small living areas. Banquettes, as Montague explains, "are custom-built pieces made to fit a room's particular dimensions, maximizing space and providing comfortable seating for many people." Moroccan rooms are often limited in size and narrow as well, so banquettes evolved as the predominant way to configure a comfortable living space. Turn a cramped living room into a cozy oasis by furnishing a corner with banquette seating, colorful pillows and a plush rug.
Mix antiques with contemporary pieces. Moroccan accessories and clean-lined modern furniture work surprisingly well together. Here, Saarinen tables and chairs update a Moroccan room while keeping the focus on the lovely colors and craftmanship of the glass lanterns, wood armoire and Beni Ouarain rug.
Add subtle Moroccan touches. A little Moroccan flair may be all you need to revitalize a room. In Montague's Peacock Pavilions office, she constructed unique shelves out of decorative cinder blocks and wood planks. She stenciled her plain file folders and boxes with geometric designs. And extending the black and white color scheme, she decorated the floor with calligraphy.
Related: 5 Smashing Black and White Rooms
Related: 5 Smashing Black and White Rooms
Design a Moroccan-inspired outdoor terrace. In addition to having inner courtyards, Moroccans spend time al fresco on rooftop terraces outfitted for lounging and eating. Make your outdoor area a comfortable place to spend hours reading or connecting with loved ones by setting up a Moroccan salon. Create shade by installing a canvas tent or a rattan roof. Drama is added with a wicker lamp.
Tip: Line hurricane lanterns or votives along a surface to serve as decoration during the day. At night, lit lanterns provide a romantic glow.
Tip: Line hurricane lanterns or votives along a surface to serve as decoration during the day. At night, lit lanterns provide a romantic glow.
Tip: Moroccans love to draw attention to their ceilings, often making a room feel loftier than it really is. Painted rafters, stenciled designs and plasterwork are some of the gorgeous ways to ensure that people look upward.