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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{moroccan} carpets in the bathroom

While the steadfastly practical amongst you might rise an eyebrow at the thought of throwing a carpet down in the bathroom   . . .  I say just think of it as a rather more luxurious bath-mat!
I've put together a little gallery of carpeted bathroom inspiration for you:
which is your favourite?

 Moroccan Boucherouite carpets are pretty high on the boho trend list and these colourful carpets are really well suited to the bathroom as most of them are simple cotton rag rugs and easy to clean and dry out after a soak in the tub!

 Another Boucherouite that adds a wonderful splash of colour to this bathroom.

This lovely diamond pattern boucherouite would be perfect in a bathroom with its relatively flat weave.

a little co-ordinated drama leading up to this black bath
(I do like this bath!)

Pattern on pattern - carpet on tile - it all works!

And finally - these organic cactus-silk carpets are top of my list at the moment - because they are a flat weave and cotton mix they are also hard wearing and quick to dry out if they get a few splashes from that shower behind those beautiful wooden doors.
SHOP HERE

(all credits for images via)

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

Berbari

Berbari is a country house, maison d'hote, restaurant, retreat. . . nestled in a quiet corner of the Moroccan countryside, not far from the town of Assilah. It fits perfectly into its surroundings - so much so that the storks have made it their annual residence!

For me Berbari is about paths and doorways, interesting corners and quiet spaces.

The organic bamboo work as you come through the entrance is almost sculptural

Doorways entice you to open them and explore.

Moroccan-blue paths begged to be followed.

And at the end of a path is often a corner that you know is the perfect place to read your book while settling into a slower pace of life.

Decorative details are often in unexpected spaces,

while every bedroom is different, individual and inviting.

The salon looks out over the countryside - even if you are not staying overnight, phone ahead and make a reservation for lunch - we did and it was delicious!

A little vintage piano detail.

At the end of the day - the hammock calls! 

And as the sunsets over the Berbari . . . 

the evening light throws up shadows that add a little mystery to the tranquility.

x

Inspiration from Taroudant

A little visual inspiration to start off the week.

Perusing the shelves of the bookshop in Casablanca airport last week, I decided to buy the latest issue of  Maisons du Maroc (#111 if you want to try and get a copy) to ease my boredom. Paging through the magazine I discovered these images which are going straight to my inspiration and ideas file!

  I thought I would share just a few of them. 

I love the natural tones, and use of traditional materials and design elements.

CREDITS:  photographs by : Cecile Treal, via Maisons du Maroc

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Akasha Mountain Retreat

When talking about Akasha, you have to start with the mountain  . . .

This beautiful Moroccan styled retreat sits high up and  close to the southern most point of Africa and the magnificence of its location cannot go unmentioned!

Owners Elana and Chris have created and built Akasha into a peaceful little bit of luxury on this mountain top. They have incorporated their love of Moroccan design and craft into every aspect, and these design elements from way up north combine perfectly with a Southern African aesthetic.

The palette and tones are muted and natural, complimenting the view rather than distracting from it.

 A carefully constructed combination of vistas, and decorative details.

Original old doors from morocco, logs from the farm, sculptural candelabra all work together
to form a harmonious "cape-maroc" mood board.

It's the details that always distract me in a place like this!

tea-in-akasha anyone?

Silver tea trays and containers add a reflective note to the palette

The bedrooms are designed to maximise the views,

while the sequins on the handira reflect the morning sunshine.

And just because you are, quite literally, at the end of a well beaten track, doesn't mean that all your creature comforts won't be taken care of.

There are even plans {I hear} of a spa and some interesting Earth Zen products -
so time for a massage and a little detox before sunset and a glass of red?

Doors open onto secret spaces and the barriers between inside and outside melt away.

 Carefully sourced items from Moroccan souks have found a new home and add a brush of colour to the palette.

And finally again  . . . that view

My visit was a fleeting one - but I do plan to go back!

To find out more about staying at Akasha Mountain Retreat you can find them on Facebook
or on their website: http://www.akasharetreat.co.za/

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mud bricks and tea trays

During the course of my meanderings around the world wide web last week, I stumbled across these images here 

No copy or explanation was attached so I can't offer you any more of an insight or information,

other than I assume it is in morocco,
and that it appealed to me because a lot of the design elements are
 simple and true to a beldi/country home in morocco.
 From the basic building elements of mud brick and plaster through to the lanterns and silver tea trays.

So, as I was saving it to my own files for future reference, 

 I thought I would share it with you as well.  

images via