SHOUF! {look!}

shouf-shouf . . . 

come and look! 

 the merchants would call as you walked past their shop in the medina!

image by Hassan Hajjaj via

It has been a process of some internal debate - but I have decided to venture back into the domain of merchants and makers selling their wares on this amazing world wide web of ours.

I have loved creating tea-in-tangiers, and immersing myself in pretty pictures and {at times} poetic words . . .  but over the last few months I have had this nagging pre-occupation to turn it into something a little more economically viable.

And so this - along with the fact that I am unable to walk past a carpet shop without touching, remarking, and generally wanting to re-home all the merchandise,

resulted in  . . .

http://shouf.bigcartel.com/products

For a collection of both traditional and contemporary Moroccan textiles and design.

 I am starting off in the realm of carpets but plan to broaden our horizons in the near future.

I cannot take any credit for the name.

Omar, who has taught me pretty much all I know about Moroccan carpets, came up with the name  when we were discussing the idea of me getting back into the market place.

He explained how in days gone by this was like a catch phrase for traders trying to catch the passers by - shouf-shouf, come and see . . . 

So please stop by

shouf

have a look

image via

And share - your support would make my day!

x

Pauline

shouf.bigcartel.com

A Riad in Assilah

We were lucky enough for our first Christmas in Morocco to be a true family affair, but it did mean that we needed some additional space to fit everyone in.

With this in mind I perused the pages of Airbnb 

(it seems to be the thing to do at the moment!)

and found this riad in the medina, literally just around the corner -  perfect!

The house is typically designed around a central courtyard with bedrooms and niches like this arranged around it - it was a bit chilly in December but in the summer I think this would be the perfect place to escape the sun with a book,

 or end the day lounging with a cocktail?

The living areas are open plan and full of light.

And are a great mix of traditional and contemporary design - an eclectic approach which I love.

Plenty of communal space for the whole family to gather, 

as well as private places to escape to.

The main bedroom has this great ensuite bath - the first arrivals managed to get the best bedroom of course . . .  such is life!

The terraces wind up on a few levels.

A real summer time bonus is this plunge pool on the lower terrace.

 I think I could spend a lot of time here!

And then of course at the end of the day, 

the view over the medina

palm trees, white walls and blue sky.

Perfect.

This property is available to rent HERE on Airbnb

x

monday moodboard {marsala}

Discovering tones of marsala on the moodboard this morning and starting to warm to Pantone's 2015 colour of the year . . . 

All these images are on my new Pinterest board - marsala

all images and credits via

x

have a good week

Looking for a Beni Ourain?

Wether on Pinterest, Instagram, or the latest edition of your favourite interiors glossy, you cannot miss the trend for these beautiful handwoven rugs made in Morocco.

 One of the reasons (I think . . .) for the appeal of these carpets is that despite often having strong patterns marching across the pile, the natural colours raise them above trends and allow them to fit seamlessly into a range of interior  - especially the modern Danish look that is still right on trend.

You just have to have a quick look at the Pinterest board I share with my friend Urban Boer to get the general idea.

via

So with all this in mind, when I walked past the shop I often work with in the medina and saw this glorious display of  carpets in the winter sunshine I had to do the Instagram thing - but then decided to take it a step further

 just in case one of you wants one of these, 

right now, 

    in your home . . .

All you have to do is let me know, and we will get it to you

by hook or by crook as they say!

so
"shouf - shouf"
{have a look}
and see if you find the perfect beni for that space on your floor.

#1: dimensions 194cm x 113 cm

      price ex postage - $815 /  Euro:687

#2: dimensions 262cm x 153cm

      price ex post - $938 /  Euro:791

#3: dimensions 245cm x 112cm

     price ex post - $818 /  Euro:690

all prices excl postage

please feel free to contact me with any questions and queries about these carpets or any other carpet you might be looking for.

via

 if you want to find out a little more about these carpets have a look here where Gebhart Blazek, specialised dealer and curator in Moroccan textiles shares some of his extensive knowledge.

x