seasons greetings!

best wishes for this festive season

see you back on the blog in 2015

x

Pauline

monday moodboard- in black and white

Using the beautiful graphic black and white designs of eWWel ceramics as a starting point, this mondays moodboard is a simple one in black and white.

One of the hardest parts of doing the moodboards is leaving stuff out
like this . . . 

or this . . . 

for more black & white inspiration have a look here
all images and credits via

have a good week
x
Pauline

Reading in the Medina

#readinginthemedina on Instagram

If I don't have a book next to my bed or on my kindle I start stressing - so often message a few well read friends for suggestions. We thought an easy way to share titles would be to post a cover on instagram using a common hashtag : #readinginthemedina
So - if you have read a book recently that you think is worth sharing, it would be great if you could post it on instagram using that hashtag - creating a mini instagram library for us all to share!

looking forward to some literary inspiration!
x
Pauline

Designed by eWWel.

I first discovered the ceramics of eWWel on display in the FACTORY in the medina of Assilah. In fact I treated myself  - a little birthday gift from me to me - with some of their lovely black and white ceramic cups. Not long after that I met Sarah , one half of the team, and found out a little more about their venture into contemporary Moroccan design and ceramics.

Q: Tell us a little about yourselves and eWWel.

We are Julie and Sarah, both from France and have been in Tanger for almost 3 years. Even though we are from neighbouring regions in France, we met in Morocco. We are both passionate about design and deco, and in January this year, decided to combine our ideas to create our own brand eWWel (which means DREAM in Berber). We work together every day on all aspects of the business from the creation and design side to the media and communication and updating of our website.

Nous sommes Julie et Sarah, deux françaises installées à Tanger depuis bientôt 3 ans. Même si nous sommes originaires de régions voisines, c’est au Maroc que nous nous sommes rencontrées. Passionnées de déco, nous avons décidé d’associer nos idées pour créer notre propre marque, Ewwel (rêver en langue berbère), en Janvier 2014. Nous travaillons chaque jour ensemble aussi bien sur la partie création que sur la partie communication avec des séances de prises de vue et la mise à jour de notre site internet.

Q: What made you decide to create contemporary ceramics in Morocco?

We love Moroccan craftsmanship, its diversity, its wealth, and its history. We also like the more contemporary decor. Having a foothold in Fez, our choice fell on ceramics, working the earth while being highly symbolic and with infinite possibilities. So we decided to combine the Moroccan expertise with western design in creating our first collection of ceramic tableware made entirely by hand by one of the best potters in the city. We wanted to create a a collection in our own image, a reflection of our different cultures whether by origin or adoption.

Nous adorons l’artisanat marocain, sa diversité, sa richesse et son histoire. Nous aimons également la déco plus contemporaine. Ayant un pied à terre à Fès, notre choix s’est porté sur la céramique, le travail de la terre, hautement symbolique et avec d’infinies possibilités. Nous avons donc décidé d’associer le savoir-faire marocain au design occidental en créant notre première collection de vaisselle en céramique, entièrement réalisée à la main par un des meilleurs artisans potiers de la ville. Nous avons voulu créer une collection à notre image, reflet de nos différentes cultures, qu’elles soient d’origines ou d’adoption.

Q: Can you tell us a little about the inspiration behind eWWel designs.

Being a veritable melting pot, Tanger inspires us. It is Africa, but with Europe is still visible in the distance . . . here everything is possible. It is an atmosphere that is conducive to creativity. We draw our inspiration from oriental graphics, but equally from Scandinavian and retro designs to create what we hope is an authentic and modern collection.

Véritable melting-pot, Tanger nous inspire. L’Afrique, mais l’Europe visible au loin… Ici, tout est possible. Une atmosphère particulière propice à la création. Nous puisons notre inspiration dans le graphisme oriental, mais également dans le design scandinave et le rétro pour créer des collections modernes et authentiques.

Q: What is the best part of creating your products for you?

We both like the creation and design part. But what we love most of all is the final realisation of our products - that moment when the product we had imagined and designed finally comes out of the kiln.

La partie création et conception nous plait énormément. Mais ce que nous aimons par dessus tout, c’est la réalisation finale de nos produits. Lorsque que le produit que nous avions imaginé et dessiné est enfin sorti du four.

Q: If people want to buy your work where can they find it?

Our products are available in many shops in Morocco: Las Chicas in Tanger, Factory in Asilah, End Awa in Marrakech as well as Casablanca Vintage Market. We can also be contacted directly via FaceBook 

Nos créations sont en vente dans plusieurs boutiques au Maroc : Las Chicas à Tanger, Factory à Asilah, Fin Awa à Marrakech et à l’Atelier Vintage à Casablanca.

Vous pouvez également nous contacter directement via notre page Facebook 

Q What are the plans and dreams for eWWel for 2015?

We are currently working on the next collection by broadening the range with new products (teapots, plates and trays). We would also like to create other types of decorative items using different materials such as wood and cotton. Our dream . . . ? Having our own workshop-boutique right here in Tanger!

Nous travaillons actuellement sur la prochaine collection en élargissant la gamme avec de nouveaux produits (théières, assiettes et plateaux). Dans nos projets les plus ambitieux, nous aimerions créer d’autres types d’articles de décoration en utilisant différents matériaux comme le bois ou le coton.

Notre rêve ? Avoir notre propre atelier-boutique, ici à Tanger! 

Q and of course . . . where is your favourite place for tea or coffee in Tanger?

We like to be creative around a mint tea in the cafe of the Cinematheque de Tanger -a place that we love with its authentic retro feel!

Nous aimons animer nos séances de travail autour d’un thé à la menthe au café de la cinémathèque de Tanger. Un lieu authentique, rétro et culturel. Tout ce qu’on aime!

Julie & Sarah getting creative over some mint tea at the Cinematheque!

monday moodboard - blue

beating the blues this monday with my moodboard

a little helping hand never goes amiss . . .

have a good week
x
all images and credits HERE 

a prickly post

Anyone who has travelled around rural morocco will know the abundance of the prickly pear cactus - hindiya -  which has a multitude of uses from boundary fence to culinary delight. And as my mind wonders around the logistics of planning and building a rural property I do spend an {unneccesary} amount of time dreaming up house names  . . . 

via

and top of my list 

at the moment 

is Dar Hindiya  {hin-dee-ya} - what do you think?

surrounded as we are by this paddle shaped plant it  seems appropriate?

and

I am feeling inspired by the plant on a variety of different levels at the moment:

Its sculptural and graphic form

Cactus Print by Polly Rowan via Bodie uand Fou

Its shades and colours 

via

that transform easily into interior or exterior inspiration I think?

via

And happily my research has thrown up a wealth of cocktails and other sweet delights to make from the fruit - with this pretty prickly pear margarita via Pink Patisserie top of my list!

Prickly Pear Margarita

I will however do my best to resist the temptation to fashion wearable garments out of it - in any shape or form!

Miss Cactus 1962 via 

so
Dar Hindiya
?
what do you think
x

via

https://www.facebook.com/teaintangiers

monday moodboard : green

it just got easier being green . . .

all images and credits HERE

THE MOODBOARD:

SCARABEO - heading for the hills!

Is it just me, or are you also feeling like it is time to head for the hills and enjoy the silence?
I am longing for some serious time out that doesn't involve phones, laptops, picking up, dropping off .  . . .

Just looking at this view with its wide open spaces calms me down already. Its like some visual deep breathing.

And while I am not your average hard-core camper, THIS is camping I can relate to!

After all - what is camping without a little linen and a candelabra or two?

Images all from Morocco Portfolio

More information and images HERE

monday moodboard - yellow

I thought I would step up the colour a little this week in an attempt to hang on to the last rays of the summer sunshine . . . 

All images and credits HERE

 the moodboard:

Adding a little extra to the moodboard this week - follow THIS link to make your own limoncello and bottle a bit of sunshine.