Shopping for carpets!

It is almost impossible for me to walk past a carpet shop in morocco without at least having a look
and
strange as it may sound,
possibly even stroking the odd beni, azilal or boujaad!!
Luckily I am planning a trip to Assilah and Tangier in the next few weeks - and I will most definitely be wandering around the souks and medinas to stock up on a few pieces for shouf!{look!}

So . . .

if you are looking for a particular design

or colour

size or shape,

just let me know.

I would love to do some personal shopping for you while I am there.

x

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Glamping in Morocco

Glamping {Glamourous Camping} is a bit of a buzzword at the moment

and lets face it, Morocco is made for Glamping!

The rich history of the desert  is one of tents and bedouins, carpets and camels.

The ability to transform a corner of the desert into a home with architectural tents and beautiful textiles is not a new concept here,

so lets take a trip . . .

 enjoy the silence of the sahara in comfort

  wall to wall beni ourain carpets,

I would be happy to have a bedroom like this, let alone a tent!

breakfast en plein air - love these embroidered grass mats, so keep an eye out on shouf!
as I might include some after my next trip!

and the soft glow of lamplight at the end of the day,

all images via Mon Maroc Guidea website morocco full of glamourous glamping options that have been personally curated by  Maria
Camps featured here: El Khiam Ahlam, La Pause, and Scarabeo Camp

x

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

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

my {current} kitchen moodboard

Well, at the moment I'm thinking about kitchens  (rather than castles) in the sand  . . .

And while I am sure my time would be better spent planning plumbing and other practicalities,

 this is far more interesting!

Rather than get bogged down in the boring bits, I continue collecting images and ideas for how I want my kitchen in morocco to look.

Slowly a pattern is emerging,

 as I veer towards the dark side of things on my imaginary kitchen moodboard!

via

 these beautiful black tiles

it does indeed

a dash of vintage cutlery

some filtered light

and of course, candlelight

no kitchen of mine is complete without a moka pot, 

and these little cups would be perfect for our morning coffee

the natural textures of wood

which would sit comfortably next to the graphic lines of these ceramics

worn and inviting - and an eclectic mix of chairs to take a seat

and possibly for a bit of luxury, a beautiful vintage Beni Ourain

carpet tucked under the chairs.

Perfect for warming your bare feet on a winters morning 

(contact me if you like the look of this carpet, it just could be for sale!)

so a palette of browns, blacks, wood and other natural textures

 seems to be the direction of the day . . . 

what do you think?

coffee anyone?

but please remember, 

it is a womans' prerogative to change her mood{board}

as often as she pleases!

all images above and credits, unless shown otherwise, can be found here

a few of my favourite {moroccan} things . . .

a few ideas to put a taste of morocco under your tree, because 'tis the season after all!

a bit last minute I know, but then that is always how I seem to manage this festive season

  so here are a few things on my wishlist

 that I have discovered on my journey as tea-in-tangiers, along with links and facebook pages

this Tarbouche Lamp is high up on my wish-list - from 33 Rue Majorelle

https://www.facebook.com/33RueMajorelle

http://33ruemajorelle.com

perfectly put - sweatshirt from Fashion Bakchic

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fashion-Bakchic

www.bakchic.com

a christmas essential - scented soaps from nyusha

https://www.facebook.com/pages/LArt-du-bain-Savonnerie-Artisanale-de-Marrakech

http://www.nyushashop.com/

making food a little more interesting - some graphic ceramics from 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dar-Amina

http://dar-amina.blogspot.com/

no celebration is complete without a candle or two (or three)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ULILI

http://www.ulili.ma

and finally - if you really want to push the proverbial boat out, how about a little luxury underfoot 

nothing epitomises moroccan design more than a classic vintage beni ourain carpet

so send me a little message and I'll see what I can do for you!

happy wrapping

x