{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

Les Orientales in Tangier, Morocco

Back in Tangier on the blog today,

with a tantalising view of this beautiful home in the medina that is available via La Conciergerie Moderne.
There are so many different options and sites to choose from when looking for accomodation when you are planning a trip - and where you stay can make or break a holiday. La Conciergerie Moderne is a small Tangier based company that I have used and happily recommend - plus they have some beautiful properties on their list!
A place like this could indeed make my holiday - what do you think?

Les Orientales has been named after the collection of poems by Victor Hugo of the same name, and is full of attention to detail and designer vignettes.

 

It is interesting - having just come back from Marrakech - how the different environments impact on the design and architecture of the homes and riads.

 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms - room for everyone!

The perfect place to spend a leisurely evening or two -  sitting on this terrace watching the sun sink over the mediterranean  . . .

So if you fancy sipping a little tea in tangier this summer click across and
find more information HERE

x

ALL IMAGES VIA laconciergerie.com

Tea in Marrakech

via

 I often get asked about Marrakech . . .

Recommendations for places to stay, eat, things to see, shop, buy

And to be honest I tend to rely on fellow bloggers and friends based in Marrakech for the information I share

Because Tangier is quite a long way off from Marrakech  . . .

Its a bit like asking your friends in Cardiff to plan your London itinerary!!

So . . .

time for a visit!

Which happily coincides with a friends birthday.

A little networking,

 a lot of relaxation and some long overdue catching up with old friends!

via

We will most definitely take a walk around the Majorelle Gardens

via

Aside from the medina, there are more than a few shops I want to spend some time in!

L'Art du Bain Marrakech

33 Rue Majorelle

And I am - for the 1st time ever - doing a cooking course!

Cannot wait to learn how to cook my favourite dish - lemon chicken tagine with the Amal Non Profit Centre - will let you know how that goes!

Amal Womens Training Centre

When I arrive on Wednesday morning I will be heading straight to this spot on the terrace at Riad Linda in the medina!

Riad Linda

And on my return, I will be writing a post {or 2} about the places I stay, eat, shop for sure

but in the meantime

follow me

  HERE ON INSTAGRAM 

as I head into the heart of Morocco and meander around Marrakech!

see you in Marrakech

x

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!
x

Holidaay!

its that time of year

time to step away from my laptop

shake out the beach towels

and head for some sunshine

Flights have been booked

and we are looking forward to taking time to slow down

enjoy leisurely and warm summer evenings

and sunny beach days

and maybe even a little time to play . . .
but as they say
i will be back
see you in a few weeks time
x

majorelle blues

I have had a busy month on the home front with moving house taking up a lot of my time and energy

so not a lot of time for blogging . . .

But slowly the practicalities are getting done and moving aside for the pretty stuff,

and even more exciting - I have a small office/workspace.

So I thought I would share some of the images I have earmarked for inspiration in this "room of my own"

The starting point - and hence the title of this post - is the quintessential blue of Jardin Majorelle.

It's the combination of that intense blue, with that wonderful accent of sunshine yellow

{and lord knows we need all the sunshine we can get here in the uk
even if i have to paint it in myself!}
Here are some more images for my Majorelle Blue Moodboard
all images and credits can be found HERE
 

So I am off to buy some paint!
x

if you have a spare moment or two

click across to my shop

shouf!{look!} 

for some more inspiration

zwin cotton throw 

Mouad Aboulhana . . .and my moroccan art collection

Well, the term "collection" is possibly a slight exaggeration, but it is something I aspire to, and with this in mind I decided to make a start.

These three prints by Mouad are in fact that start - I received them minutes before I left on my last visit to Tangiers at a hastily arranged coffee shop assignation - all very exciting, involving numerous messages, messengers and motorbikes!!

They are now sitting unfurled and unframed on my office table.

And here they are again below as a group and a little easier to view!
  The iconic moroccan babouche with a typical textile design in the background.These prints are full of references that I relate to. 

So a little more about the artist: Mouad Aboulhana

How would you describe your style?
My style is pure Moroccan Pop art and when we say Morocco, it is in fact a large melting-pot of cultures and traditions, from the Berber, the Arabs to Islam and international modernity.
So, you can say that my style is a mix of all these beautiful influences.
What are the techniques you use?
For me, techniques always evolve as your art matures! From graphic art using different inks on paper, to street art and painting on the walls of Medina of Tangier (North of Morocco), using stencils and spray paint. It is only three years ago that I started experimenting with digital art by mixing illustrations and images.

One of the images he is most known for is his "Tarbouch Kid"

Tell us about the "Tarbouch Kid" artwork? What does it represent?

Tarbouch Kid is a symbol for pure Berber-Arab-Muslim personality. This kid represents me in so many ways, he represents the community. Sometimes people ask “Why he is sad?” but in reality he is not sad at all; maybe he is shy, or simply tired because life in our society is hard. Also, kids are never two-faced, they always say the truth! Technically, the character was taken from a smart perspective and angle: his clothes are simple with his red Fez Cap and in the background, a Zellige mosaic.

(copy credit via:Re-volt Mag, ISSUE 16 - AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015)

VIEW MORE HERE

or follow Mouad on

Instagram

&

Facebook

to keep up to date with his work and 

exhibitions (he has a solo exhibition coming up in Dubai soon!)

shouf!{look!}

I love the rich traditional aesthetic that Morocco has to offer -  its colours, pattern and textiles. The more time I spend there, the more I appreciate how contemporary artists are interpreting these traditions. I would love to include more of this work in my shop shouf{look} - so watch this space and I will let you know as soon as we have prints available online.

 And to conclude, another favourite. 

Remaining true to my South African roots I think this will have to be added to my gallery soon . . . 

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!

A weekend in Tangier, Morocco

Feeling a little tired of the grey uk?

Need something a little more exotic than your daily routine?

Hop across to Gatwick and fly to Tangiers on Friday, and you can be back on Sunday evening ready for that weekly routine again.

And while it may not be a huge amount of time, a weekend getaway that takes you to another country and continent in 4 hours has got to be worth it?

So with the scheduling of Air Arabia Maroc flights on a Friday and Sunday I decided to give some thought to what would I do if I had a fleeting 48 hours in Tangiers?

First of all decide where you want to stay! 

In the medina, in the kasbah, hotel, riad??

La Tangerina

I have a list of my personal preferences HERE on the blog

I think for first time visitors my advice would be to head up to the kasbah  -  The kasbah gives you a feel of the exotic without the chaos . . . there feels like there is a little more light and space, and considering you don't have a lot of time, it will also be a bit more relaxing!

Things start pretty late in the evenings in Morocco - so no need to worry that you will be late for dinner.

If you are feeling intrepid head straight down the hill towards the Grand Socco and the Medina where there is no shortage of places to eat and sights to immerse yourself in.

If you are more in the mood to relax and unwind over a glass of Moroccan red, pop into El Morocco Club in the Kasbah and see who's who in town.

In the morning

take a stroll out of the Kasbah and do a little boutique shopping in Las Chicas right by the main entrance where you will be able browse their curated collection of contemporary Moroccan crafts and fashion.

Then head down the hill to the medina and the markets - take your time, wander around and work out what you want and where to find it.

Keep an eye out for the nougat man in the medina - in my opinion the best nougat around!

Take a coffee break at Cinema Rif and people watch.

Feeling a little peckish after all that walking - try La Petit Socco in the middle of the medina - or La Saveur up the steps just outside the medina for a taste of fresh local food.

A lot of the Moroccan experience is about sitting and sipping a tea or coffee and watching the day go by - so if you are in that frame of mind and it is a lovely sunny day, head all the way back up the hill (you can get a petit taxi but actually central Tangiers is pretty walkable) and kick back with a mint tea at the famous Cafe Hafa.

If a weekend break is more about relaxing around a swimming pool then try a place like   La Maison de Tanger where you can head back to a sunlounger after negotiating the medina.

relax at the swimming pool at La Maison de Tanger

Sunday morning - you might just have enough time to dash into the medina for those babouche you decided you really want (they are apparently set to be the shoe trend of 2016!)
but honestly - if I was you - I would find a spot on the terrace . . .

view from the terrace of Dar Jand

 admire the view and the particular light that bounces off the ocean and enticed artists like Matisse to the city. 

Sip on some freshly squeezed orange juice or aromatic mint tea before heading over to the airport to wing your way home.

Its not a lot of time - but being on the northern edge of Africa, exploring the medina, hearing the call to prayer, all make for something a little more than average for a simple weekend break.

For more information re flights from London too Tangiers go to the Air Arabia Maroc website and head off into that sunset!!