Dar Ka - a riad in Assilah

We have just come back from a quick visit to Morocco and were lucky enough to be able to stay in Dar Ka in the seaside medina of Assilah.

And believe me there is nothing finer than coming home to such a beautiful space after a busy day in the markets and souks.
The word "oasis" is thrown around a lot when describing places in Morocco
but there is a reason for that,
and Dar Ka certainly is a calm, contemporary oasis full of traditional details that place it clearly in context.

So, before the grey skies and dripping rain envelop me completely

I thought I would share some of the little details from my Instagram page that I think make Dar Ka so special . . .

For the bigger picture read THIS post

And for more information about rental availability pop across to THIS PAGE

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chocolate {brown} and pistachio {green}

My eldest daughter and myself are partial to a pistachio or two . . .

We do try and make a regular stop at the Nut Mans table at the Medina gate in Assilah to get a paper cone full when he comes out to ply his trade in the evenings.

But this morning, in more of an autumnal mood here in the uk,
 I decided to channel the domestic goddess in me!
Something I haven't done for a while -
and actually bake something off my Pinterest boards!
All my favourite flavours . . .
pistachio, cardamom, chocolate!

And that swiftly led me onto a decorating tangent
I've always loved the green tiles and design of Le Jardin in Marrakech,
 and I think the green works perfectly with the basket tones and browns.

textiles via

A perfect auntumn palette - and not bad with my morning coffee either

recipe via

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Pauline

hard at work . . .

Admittedly its been a little quiet on my blog of late,

but just to let you know that I am working hard behind the scenes 

to make sure everything is working just how I want it to!

in the meantime
don't forget you can find me attempting to be arty
on
 INSTAGRAM

philosophising
on
PINTEREST

and just generally sharing the stuff of life
on
FACEBOOK

please keep in touch & I will be back to the blog soon!
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A riad in Assilah

I like to think we are all nosy-by-nature when it comes to looking around other peoples homes, 

or is it just me??

 I love getting a chance to look at some of the beautiful homes in and around the medina of Assilah, and this one belonging to the lovely Karine  had me planning my summer vacation the minute I stepped through the door!

If you want to find out more about the house and holiday rental information contact Karine directly here: contact@darkaasilah.com

Loads of terrace and rooftop space to soak up the sunshine and live in the light

Living areas that open out onto a central courtyard.

And so many beautiful carpets!

Perfect spot for reading your book I think!

Sleeping space for the whole family and more.

A great kitchen in shades of grey and black in contrast to the white of the house.

A cosy corner of pattern and colour.

And finally . . . a seaview!

see you in Assilah!

Available Light

There are many things I love about Assilah;

I know it is small and sleepy seaside village most of the year 

- and actually that is precisely one of the reasons I love it! -

but another reason is the people I have met and friends I have made there.

Some are ordinary like me

while others have led a life a little less ordinary,

like photographer Andrew Maclear

whose medina house I have mentioned before - here.

However this little clip below shows what he was up to in the late 60's

I enjoyed watching it, so I thought you might to . . .!

Airbnb in Assilah

If you are anything like me, you are still flicking around the internet planning your summer holiday.

 A tad last minute possibly but never too late!

And if Airbnb is your thing - there are still deals to be done, certainly if you are in search of some sunshine in  Assilah.

A friend of mine often stays in this perfect medina bolthole - I love visiting her when she is there because it is so quiet and peaceful - a wonderful respite to the clamour of the krakia down my end of the medina!        Just take a left just a little further on . . .

Although small (it's perfect for 2) there is a wonderful sense of uncluttered light and space.

A burst of colour is the perfect backdrop for the plants on the little patio leading off the bedroom.

Most of the furnishings and decor are from the medina - so haven't had far to go and feel right at home!

The temptation to over decorate in morocco is huge - I think this calm and uncluttered interior is why I find this house so restful and love visiting.

Make yourself a cup of coffee in the kitchen then step up onto the terrace to gaze over the medina.

have a look here for more information

all images via

time to make a move?

Are you starting to think about summer holidays yet . . . ?

What about buying a home instead of renting one this summer.

 I have a few on my page Dar Souk that might tempt you!

How about this one just up the road from me

a great lifestle property and a running business venture all in one

asking price : EUR 280 000 (approx $297 000 or £202 000)

see more images

 HERE

contact me directly at paulinebrettell@gmail.com for more information

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a tiny jewell in the medina . . .

it was this beautiful vintage fish ornament that first drew my attention to this little shop in  Assilah

then one day I stepped inside and discovered a treasure trove of vintage beads and jewellery

from the minute you step through the beaded curtain over the doorway

you are surrounded by treasures

some old
some new
some a combination 

jewellery designer Mostafa uses this small space as a studio and a retail space,
 working and creating while you shop

this is where you will find it
that little blue door down a medina alleyway of Assilah
don't forget to look out for the fish on the door

I hope to have some of Mustaafas' vintage bead creations on shouf! soon 

 so pop across to have a look 

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Tapenade

When life gives you olives . . .

Having had our fair share of meals at Port XIV in Assilah, we have also consumed WAY more than our fair share of their signature tapenade that gets put on your table with a flourish as you settle in to decide what to order. 

So we thought we would, in collaboration with Port XIV and their head chef Youssef,

show you how to transform

these . . . 

Into this.

There are a few subtle variations  to the traditional tapenade, but that is kind of the point.

 We are in Morocco after all!

so to your 1/2 kilo of black olives

add: 

1 teaspoon of cumin 

  1/2 teaspoon oregano

        2 teaspoons of olive oil - preferably from your own trees!

        1 teaspoon of fresh coriander chopped

        1/2 teaspoon of harissa 

The rest is simple - mix it all together and blend.

Then a bit of fresh bread, a glass of wine . . . .
Perfect.

Luckily, I don't have to don an apron to make any for a while as we were given this lovely jarful of the results of this recipe to bring home.

I will confess that there is already considerably less tapenade in above jar after 24 hours chez Brettell!

Thanks to Port XIV & Chef Youssef for sharing their recipe.

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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

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