www.roomplanners.com roomplanners MARCH 2011 bring it home! Morocco inside Morocco’s charming Riads and guest houses 9 must-haves for Moroccan décor Moroccan chicken tagine a new furniture collection from Tommy Bahama bring it home! Antigua style color 2011 trends! global
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Global style! Interior design ideas inspired by Moroccan guest houses and Antigua's island style. Inside the latest furniture collection from Tommy Bahama... plus 2011 color trends and paint color ideas!
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www.roomplanners.com
roomplanners MARCH 2011
bring it home!
Morocco
inside Morocco’s charming Riads and guest houses
9 must-haves for Moroccan décor
Moroccan chicken tagine
a new furniture collection from
Tommy Bahama bring it home!
Antigua
style color 2011
trends!
global
2 MAR 2011 www.roomplanners.com
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more positive view of things… a shift from our escapist
tendencies last year (2010’s color
of the year was the resort-inspired,
turquoise).
ICI’s lime twist
does the same. This youthful,
cool, green-tinged yellow feels positive, hopeful
and healthy. Any color with this
much yellow can’t help but exude optimism and a lighter
approach… and it’s the perfect hue to discourage clutter!
Even Benjamin Moore’s vintage
wine has a hopeful vibe, blend-
ing the magnificence of purple
with the comfort of brown; suggesting, perhaps, that we’re
up for a little luxury again (either that or a stiff drink), but
want to stay grounded this time.
ALL THREE PICKS SEEM ROOTED IN PASTEL COLORS. But each has a complexity that keeps it versatile: it’s not clear if these hues are bold or elegant, romantic or rational. It’s not even clear if they’re cool or warm… honeysuckle is pink (warm) with cool blue undertones; lemon twist is yellow (warm) with cool green undertones; vintage wine is purple (cool) with warm brown undertones!
2011 colors seem to capture the complexities of our changing
world, reflecting the sort of balance we need and want in our own lives.
Ahead… the leading paint
color trends for 2011, and our own recommendations.
TRUTH IS, THERE WASN’T
MUCH AGREEMENT ABOUT
THAT.
If there was an Oscar for leading
color in 2011, there’d be a three-way tie. Awkward. Or not?
PANTONE chose honeysuckle, a
cool, girl-power pink. Benjamin
Moore nominated vintage wine, a
smoky purple; ICI Paints opted
for lime twist.
Sherwin Williams insisted color
trends had been replaced by self
expression this
year… but all the
same, compiled some timely hues
in case we were stuck.
There’s no doubt that adding
trendy colors to our wardrobe is usually a better idea than adding
them to our homes. (Who wants to be stuck with yesterday’s news on
their walls at this time next year?)
Still, most of us like to be tuned
into what’s new, since color trends reflect what we’re all feeling and thinking about. So...
is there any agreement between 2011 color pickers on the state of
the nation?
In broad paintbrush terms, yes!
COLOR OF THE YEAR
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… and the color of the year is...
vibrant…creative…bold…playful…energizing
6 MAR 2011 www.roomplanners.com
restless nomad
purely refined
bold invention
gentle medley
pared down is the new upscale…understated tailored...natural elegance…intriguing
innocent without being sweet...fresh…airy parchment-pale neutrals...pastels...vintage
entrepreneurial…eclectic…experimental…artsy high energy...graffiti city colors…avant-garde
.. a muted, nearly neutral hue from our chic palette.
with just enough blue undertones to feel peaceful. This quiet, contemporary hue is stylish and sophisticated.
slate Lea Furniture, Rhapsody
Stanley Furniture
… a bit mauve, a bit taupe, this is a versatile hue that’s pretty without being overly feminine. From our nostalgic palette, it’s both vintage and stylish.
the king’s speech
www.roomplanners.com MAR 2011 9
fuchsia
terracotta
Valspar
#2007-7C New Haven Clay
terracotta
Broyhill Furniture , Northern Lights
Drexel Heritage, At Home in Tuscany
Stanley Furniture, Portofino
fuchsia
Benjamin Moore
#1347
Pink Ladies
… similar to Pantone’s honeysuckle, this hue has a bold,
exotic quality. In our global palette, it feels adventurous,
energetic, colorful and memorable.
Lea Furniture , iRoom
aubergine
Benjamin Moore
#2116-20
Vintage Wine
… Benjamin Moore’s vintage wine is regal and rich-bodied,
a match with aubergine in our classic palette. This is a dark
hue that can be lightened up without looking sweet.
aubergine
Lea Furniture , Off Campus
honeydew
honeydew
Behr
#400C-2
Home Song
Broyhill Furniture , Perspectives Lexington Furniture , Long Cove
Broyhill Furniture , Attic Heirlooms
… more muted than ICI’s lime twist, honeydew is fresh,
but livable. In our modern palette, it’s a natural for
contemporary rooms, but freshens up country styles too.
… an appetizing, slightly European hue from our nostalgic palette that connects us to gardens and
vineyards. This vintage hue feels warm and timeless.
furniture tip
anchor the bed
movie set design
the king’s speech… the therapist’s office! do-it-yourself decorating
wine country style
10 MAR 2011 www.roomplanners.com
more news & ideas at http://blog.roomplanners.com
from our blog
Placing an area rug under (or partly under)
a bed reinforces it with an extra layer of color and texture… ensuring it stays
(or becomes!) the focal point of a bedroom.
Coordinating the color of the rug with the headboard, bed linens or artwork directly
above the bed builds up the composition... while placing the rug on angle (even a
slight one) makes the room look wider.
Anchoring any piece of furniture with accessories will make it look more
substantial!
According to home builders, wine country,
or Mediterranean styles are as popular as
ever. Loved for their warmth and intimate connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, the look is undergoing some updates, but not waning as one of the favorites.
For a look at one of our favorite wine country furniture styles, check out our Napa RoomCue.
OSCAR-WINNING
THE KING’S SPEECH brought us a memorable story… and a very memorable interior! The office of speech therapist Lionel Logue (played by Geoffrey Rush) featured
an eclectic design that suited his offbeat, unorthodox personality… and our growing preferences for a freer mix of design ideas.
The most fascinating part of this slightly eccentric room was a peeling wall that revealed generations of layered wallpaper and paint colors.
A well-worn Louis XV sofa with gilded frame and floral bouquet design added more vintage style. Faded, mismatched oriental rugs were all that filled the rest of the large interior - and the movie offered an up-close look at each of them as Bertie, the future King George VI, rolled around on the floor doing his
IF YOUR FAVORITE ISLAND WAS BECKONING THIS WINTER,
BUT YOU COULDN’T MAKE IT PAST YOUR ICE-PACKED DRIVEWAY,
IT MAY BE TIME FOR A LITTLE WARM-WEATHER STYLE.
Exotic-looking rooms can bring our favorite destination home or just help us relax with vacation-style intensity. And with the winter beating we just took, exotic looks inspired by somewhere very, very far away may
be just what we need.
So… from Antigua, the South Pacific and the tip of Africa, we went in
pursuit of some house-warming ideas to heat up the pages in this issue… and the rooms in your home.
global style
www.roomplanners.com MAR 2011 11
PHOTO COURTESY: Riad Abaka www.riadabaka.com
room of the month
BATHROOM
area rug
vanity cabinet
Tile floor-
ing
flooring
WHY IT WORKS!
counter
12 MAR 2011 www.roomplanners.com
angled wall tile… with a light-dark color contrast looks exotic!
unmatched mirror… perfectly eclectic, it looks one-of-a-kind. (We’d have hung it a little lower; to overlap the tiled wall.)
furniture-like vanity… rich wood, fabulous detail, (like an imported antique!)
black marble counter… looks good with the black-framed mirror.
open shelves on the vanity cabinet… casually stores towels, bottles or woven bins in open view.
tall baseboards… match the band of white tile above.
antique brass faucets... look warm and tarnished!
sky blue walls… contrast the warm wood, bringing the look of warm weather indoors!
dark floors… always look exotic!
exotic rug… adds pattern and unexpected warmth in a bathroom!
spicy color scheme… hues of curry, saffron and turmeric will inspire any cook!
two-tone tile pattern on the backsplash… it’s unusual, adds texture and elongates the room.
marble countertops in a wood tone… feel handcrafted and gourmet-inspired!
light counters… lighten
this cozy room and offset the dark ceiling.
open shelves… add gourmet-style warmth; perfect for displaying exotic spices and cooking supplies!
makeshift table instead of an island… extra surface for cooking and an intimate eating area next to the cook!
iridescent curtains… cover up stark white window frames and add a sultry, Arabian nights quality!
retro stove in stainless steel… befits the most exotic gourmet cook
KITCHEN
WHY IT-WORKS!
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room of the month
WARM COLORS AND
UNEXPECTED TEXTURE
SPICE UP A SMALL,
MAKESHIFT KITCHEN.
cabinets
curtains
backsplash
flooring
appliances
Behr
#230F-5
Suntan Glow
counters
Legendary for its distinctly
sophisticated interpretation of
island life, the Tommy Bahama brand was born to celebrate the
good life!
The company’s founders admit
they first sketched out the Tommy Bahama brand idea on
a cocktail napkin while sipping pina coladas at the beach. What
followed was more than a fictional character that inspired elegant tropical living. They
fashioned a lifelong philosophy of leisure; a belief that all things
should be enjoyed in an unhurried way.
As a lifestyle company, Tommy Bahama today represents
everything from premium rum to men’s and women’s sports-
wear, denim, swimwear, accents and distinctive home
furnishings that bring
destination travel home.
The newest addition to the Tommy Bahama Home brand is Royal Kahala (by Lexington
Home Brands), joining four other collections under this tropic-inspired brand. Like the
others, Royal Kahala’s use of tactile, natural materials to represent a lifestyle of travel and leisure doesn’t disappoint.
The collection’s rare mix of mahogany, bent,
leather-wrapped and woven rattan, penn shell, split bamboo, sugar cane, coco shell and
The captivating black sand
beaches of Hawaii and
Polynesia served as
inspiration for an exotic
fusion of elements in
Royal Kahala…
A NEW FURNITURE COLLECTION
from Tommy Bahama Home.
leisure
travel MEETS
www.roomplanners.com MAR 2011 15
It’s this eclectic approach to style that Haney believes, is at the heart of sophisticated home
décor today.
“The hallmark of inspired design is the ability to blend styles and finishes effortlessly, while creat-ing an environment that encourages hospitality
and conversation.” Haney believes Royal Kahala
will resonate with those who appreciate unique
detail and unexpected details.
“This collection showcases the design and detail of exceptional individual pieces.” A mirrored
night stand with custom pulls serves as one example. “It’s made with Australian blacklip abaloene shell,” he reveals, adding that this
remarkable shell features an iridescent mother of pearl inner surface with a distinctive black lip
around the outer edge.
Even the names of individual pieces in this collection are likely to inspire a love of the unique and exotic… from the Diamond Head bed
to the Black Sands night chest, Island’s Edge table,
Sunset Cay lamp table and Lotus Blossom mirror.
tortoise shell finishes bring some of nature’s most rare and unique materials indoors, fusing
them in unexpected, sophisticated ways.
“Royal Kahala represents the most refined and
elegant lifestyle within the Tommy Bahama
Home portfolio,” says Phil Haney, President of Lexington Home Brands. “The designs exude flavors of the Pacific Rim, blending unique
natural materials with the best of eclectic, travel-inspired style traditions.”
Dominating those travel-inspired styles are British Colonial, with its rich, deep wood tones
and attention to detail... and Campaign, with its streamlined, refined symmetry. Blended with
distinctive influences from Africa’s Ivory Coast and a relaxed attitude unique to the Caribbean,
this mix of exotic ideas reflects both the intrigue and the romance of travel from past centuries through to today.
Royal Kahala’s unexpected themes and variety of
influences suggest a connoisseur’s approach to sophisticated island living; one that invites
unusual expression and a collaboration of ideas.
16 MAR 2011 www.roomplanners.com
ABOVE. A zebra-print rug and wood window shutters add exotic appeal, standing out against shapely light and dark furniture. RIGHT. A richly-detailed Campaign-style desk recalls furniture once designed to fold up for travel.
www.roomplanners.com MAR 2011 17
“exceptional
individual pieces
suggest an
eclectic,
sophisticated
approach to
island living.”
Phil Haney, President,
Lexington Home Brands
ABOVE. Elegant furniture details are enhanced with equally elegant accessories. Artwork above the bed complements the wood finish and aligns with the design of the headboard. Organic-looking bed linens and a folded blanket at the foot of the bed replicate the look of top hotel resorts. BOTTOM. Lamp bases and shades complement the rich texture and colors of the cabinet below.
WATCH THE
ROYAL KAHALA
VIDEO AT:
http://www.lexington.com/whats-new/videos.cfm
NATURAL
TEXTURES PLAY
A KEY ROLE IN
EXPRESSING A
LIFESTYLE OF
TRAVEL and
leisure.
How to set a Brit-
ish Table
Watch Regents Row video at
A rich Kona finish over ribbon stripe and quartered mahogany is used throughout the
collection. In the living room, this rich tone complements decorative nailhead trim and
antique brass accents, offering a striking contrast to ivory-colored fabrics and pops of
bold-colored toss pillows on artisan-quality carved sofa frames.
As a whole, fabric colors in this collection are both fresh and familiar: from dramatic contrasts
of white with Colonial blues, salsa reds and deep browns... to complex monochromatic combinations of earthy hues.
A dramatic, four-seat Edgewater sofa invites a rich layering of colorful, patterned and textured throw pillows, while raffia textures on select pieces reinforce the role of natural materials in interpreting this relaxed lifestyle. An array of
20 MAR 2011 www.roomplanners.com
TOP. A bold salsa-like hue ties together a rich layering of sofa pillows. Over-sized candle stands complement heavily carved furniture legs. BOTTOM. Deeply carved table legs recall the work of skilled island artisans.
www.roomplanners.com MAR 2011 21
Mixing red with white and EARTHY brown
TONES feels bold and fresh... but familiar, TOO.
TOP, LEFT. A textured table exaggerates the play of light and shadow; a popular way to dramatize natural textures in an outdoor, or exotic-inspired interior. TOP, RIGHT. A pair of resort-inspired mirrored drawer chests are bunched together to anchor dramatic wall art. BOTTOM. A tiled floor adds instant exotic style and anchors a quartet of lounge chairs. Seating with cushions that look (or are!) removable adds to the light, outdoor quality.
distinctive accent chairs look ready to provide a quiet reading spot or be moved where necessary to gather friends around.
The contrast of the dark Kona finish against white linens is equally dramatic in the bedroom. British colonial influences are distinctive here, both in color and design... perfectly suiting the exotic, languid appeal of the Tommy Bahama tradition, where nothing on your to-do list can’t wait!
In the dining room, rattan or mahogany chairs are paired with a choice of mahogany dining tables. The Islands Edge table, with its undeniably British Colonial roots, offers seating for ten.
The collection uniquely brings together a rich variety of tropical style traditions, inspiring not just the casual, feel-good statement Tommy Bahama is known for, but its sophisticated elegant side as well.
22 MAR 2011 www.roomplanners.com
TOP. Dark wood contrasting light-colored walls and fabrics was a signature look in British Colonial design. BOTTOM. A blue-and-white color palette ties together… and tones down a zesty mix of toss pillows on the back of the sofa. Accent chairs with an airy, open design create a lightweight look that’s ideal for warm-weather or travel-inspired interiors.
THE LOOK
of DARK
wood
against
light
fabrics
recalls
British
colonial
interiors
in Africa
and India.
24 MAR 2011 www.roomplanners.com
breeze island
O ONCE THE PERFCT PLACE to hide
British ships, Antigua’s unbroken wall of
coral reef now attracts snorkelers and scuba divers from around the world. The expansive, winding coastline that made Antigua difficult for marauding enemy ships to navigate is where today's trekkers encounter a wealth of secluded, powdery beaches.
Properly pronounced An-tee'ga, this island paradise hosts breezy, picture-perfect days. That made it the perfect muse for a tropically-inspired furniture collection that puts being home on par with being on vacation.
The Antigua Collection, by American Drew, combines this lush Caribbean island’s organic textures with wind-shaped silhouettes and a sandy color palette. Its clean lines and relaxed shapes feel as easy-going as the island that inspired it.
CLUSTERS OF BAMBOO STALKS create
both the silhouette and structure of case pieces, yielding a lightweight, organic look with the durability and strength that’s unique to this material. Complemented
www.roomplanners.com MAR 2011 25
The breezy island of Antigua inspired a picture perfect furniture collection for home.
Airy furniture, glass shelves and woven textures
instantly put us in
vacation mode. 26 MAR 2011 www.roomplanners.com
www.roomplanners.com MAR 2011 27
on vacation. Ring pull hardware look nautical, recalling life-preservers and port holes.
The collection’s multi-toned wood finishes and textures make it easy to add more natural textures… a wicker or rattan chair in a quiet corner for an afternoon of reading, storage bins on open shelves or matchstick blinds on windows.
by tightly woven rattan drawer fronts and exotic primavera veneer patterns, this tropically-minded mix of materials seems intent on putting us in vacation mode.
Antigua’s toasted almond wood finish and sand-colored upholstery is, quite literally, a breath of fresh air (especially with the sea of dark furniture finishes everywhere you look today). Its light finish seems as capable of lightening our mood as it does maximizing daylight in our room.
Cabinets, dressers and drawer chests sit on shapely legs, adding to the lightweight airy look. Glass shelves, mirrors and cabinets
with glass doors on three sides simulate reflective ocean waters, expanding the light and perceived size of a room. Open shelves and cabinets that float in the middle of the room feel as buoyant as we do, inviting us to take it down a notch, display our things out in the open and enjoy more casual lifestyle. An airy etagere, open on both sides, makes the perfect room divider.
Gently contoured mirrors and chair backs look influenced by nature’s forces. Quiet lines and organic shapes compel us to relax, unwind and sleep as well at home as we do
TOP. Armoires are popular in resort hotels, housing the TV, coffee-maker, bar or a traveler’s wardrobe. A woven rattan texture on the doors adds a breezy style to this large piece. BOTTOM. Hardwood floors or tile are ideal for an island look, but a woven rug adds comfort underfoot and frames the bed. Woven blinds, with or without light drapes, is all island style!
Antigua is suitably entertainment-centric with a variety of tables, buffets, servers and bars that look ready to stash the rum in cabinets or the wine bottles in cellar-style cubby holes. A flip-top, flip-out bar stores happy hour supplies and pulling up the bar stools seems all that’s left to do.
A bar-height table expands as the party does; a single leaf takes the table from square to rectangle. Rattan, splat-back chairs and stools have a casual, bistro feel - and a hand-pull in the back of each chair makes it easy to move with just one hand… adhering to the rule about no heavy physical labor on vacation!
In resort-hotel room fashion, a tall armoire is able to conceal TV or coffee maker (it also looks good enough to be the focal point in a living room). Clever workspaces, including a cabinet that seals work behind closed doors looks able to
trick us into thinking we’re anywhere but at the office.
With its contemporary lines, Antigua invites any variety of ways to personalize the look. Whether zesty and tropical with
painted parrots, pineapple motifs and bright colors… or sophisticated and resort-
like with a quiet neutral color palette, the
collection seems intent on transporting us to island life.
pocket reference guide to Antigua’s wood, metal & fabric colors—for easy coordination with other products
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO
VIEW or PRINT this FREE 5-page style guide.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN: http://issuu.com/roomplanners/docs/roomcue_-_antigua_-_american_drew
OPPOSITE PAGE. Woven bins, glass vases, seashells and books invite us to relax. LEFT. A casual work area is almost as appealing as a casual work area with doors to hide our work away! ABOVE. A solid-colored sofa transforms to resort-worthy simply by adding toss pillows in tropical textures, patterns and colors.
Interior courtyards are typical of Moroccan riads; complete with a tiled fountain, pool or just a quiet place to relax. PHOTOS COURESY: Riad Abaka, Marrakesh
www.roomplanners.com MAR 2011 31
WHAT IS IT ABOUT MOROCCAN DESIGN THAT CAPTURES WESTERN MINDS? Is it the rich tile work, the pillow-laden wrap-around seating or the drapery that’s as likely to cover beds and doors, as windows?
We set out to try to see for ourselves... in a way we suggest every visitor to Morocco do: from inside this country’s charming riads and guest houses.
guest houses of
The famous Morocan riad, or guest house, developed out of
Islamic notions of family privacy and seclusion for women. With few windows to the outside, riads were designed to open onto an interior courtyard; most featured a central fountain and intricate tile work.
In cities like Marrakesh, many crumbling riads are being restored and used as hotels… offering outsiders a look at a lifestyle and decorative tradition second to none.
Morocco
marrakesh
AT THE HEART OF MOROCCO,
MARRAKESH BOASTS THE LARGEST
SOUK (market) and one of the busiest
squares in Africa, the Djemaa el Fna,
bustling with story-tellers, acrobats,
snake charmers, dancers and musicians.
Located just inside the Medina’s wall, minutes from the famed square is the
Riad Abaka… a fascinating blend of
traditional Moroccan and modern
European design.
Pointed arches, tile work, pillow-laden beds, clay-colored plaster walls and
other traditional Moroccan design traditions remind us where we are. But
tranquil, unadorned surfaces and cool, urban wall colors look updated and
familiar to any guest; an east meets west approach that blurs the lines of east and west, past and present.
Away from the madding crowds, the Riad’s one-of-a-kind guest rooms open
onto a secluded patio courtyard with candle-lit swimming pool, curtained
dining room and inviting areas to drink mint tea, get comfortable and stay awhile.
Traditional Moroccan meets European modern in this stylish guest house.
32 MAR 2011 www.roomplanners.com
www.roomplanners.com MAR 2011 33
marrakesh Traditional Moroccan meets European modern in this stylish guest house.
riad abaka
www.riadabaka.com
THE FASCINATING FEUDAL CITY OF
FES LURES YOU IN with its narrow
labyrinthine of streets, souks, mosques and thousands of craft shops. Richly
tiled surfaces, carved doors, pointed arches and grillwork offer a living
testimony to the past!
Located minutes from the Medina’s
famed blue gate, the grand Riad Fayali
Fes showcases the charm of authentic
Andalusian Arabic style. Medieval
walls, mammoth doors and ornate iron window grills protect intricate tile work, carved wood and banquette-lined
walls... offering insight into traditional Moroccan design and the outstanding
skills of Moroccan craftsmen.
Alike neither in design or size, each
guest suite has its own magic carpet name... Alcasaba, Alambra, Alcazar; conjuring up romantic Arabian nights
to come. Open to the sky, views of the courtyard’s architecture are every-
where… from guest room balconies, stairwells and the lobby.
Meals are served by the Andalusian-
style swimming pool, under the pergola or on the terrace, depending on the
the beaten track. But the town’s white-washed blue-and-white stucco houses
offer a cool backdrop to native hand-crafts not found elsewhere in Morocco.
Its high-altitude fresh air and smell of fresh bread baking in local ovens make the three-hour trek from Tangiers more
than worth the effort.
Stone steps away from the town’s
fascinating medina, the Dar Zman
guest house is as captivating as the town itself.
The charming interiors of all eight guest rooms are topped only by the colorful
top-floor dining room and Andalusian terrace where a breakfast of goat cheese,
olives and fried bread is served next to panoramic views of the mountains.
Warm, spicy orange hues in guest
rooms contrasts cool blue hues in corridors and reception areas; the same
blue seen on the town’s stucco homes. Fabrics and tiles tie these complimentary hues together, contrasting dark, carved
furniture and locally-made artifacts that showcase the skills of local artisans.
36 MAR 2011 www.roomplanners.com
chefchaouen A one-of-a-kind guest house is as charming as the town it’s home to.
www.roomplanners.com MAR 2011 37
A one-of-a-kind guest house is as charming as the town it’s home to.
dar Zman
www.darzman.net
design notes! skirts & drapes
morocco at home
exotic tile patterns
plaster walls
38 MAR 2011 www.roomplanners.com
1
2
3
From the riads and markets of Morocco… the 9 must-haves of a Moroccan interior!
Over the centuries, Arabs, Berbers, Spanish, French and Portuguese all made themselves at home in Morocco, layering on their cultures and preferences.
Today, Morocco is a unique mix of Andalusian and Arab traditions, blending sun-washed Mediterranean textures with exotic rugs, velvets, silks, ornate tile patterns and rich, spicy colors.
The best (and easiest!) way to bring Moroccan style home is to replicate its colors, textures and accents rather than anything too literal (pointed arches, for example, look better in Morocco than Maine)!
1. plaster walls… are Morocco! Simulate this three-dimensional texture with a paint finish—a subtle faux suede or a color wash in spice tones, blues or greens.
2. skirts & drapes… doesn’t just cover windows in Morocco! Hang tall panels on one or both sides of an interior doorway or around a bed. Or drape chairs and tables with slipcovers in silk, velvet or organza.
3. exotic tile patterns... are usually bold in color and energetic in pattern. Create ornate or mosaic designs on table tops, bathroom walls or floors using tiles that are slightly uneven or misshapen.
4. fancy metal furniture… is a popular choice for beds, settees, chairs and tables. Choose fancy wrought iron designs and pair them with simple wood or painted cabinets.
5. stacks of pillows… shouldn’t match, but be plentiful on settees, sofas and beds. Use ornate patterns, opulent fabrics and rich colors inspired by jewels or spices.
6. exotic rugs… and rug-like textures dress up floors, walls, ottomans and benches in Morocco. Spicy-colored oriental, dhurrie or Berber rugs, in any shape or size, will work.
7. colorful pottery & glass… are more than tableware in Morocco! Use plates and glassware (in spicy oranges, cobalt blues and grass greens) on shelves too.
8. one-of-a-kind mirrors & frames… are used over sinks, tables and dressers. Opt for one that looks like a piece of art; the more exotic or quirky, the better!
9. lanterns… go anywhere—on a table, on the floor or hung from the ceiling (with a tassel on the bottom!). Long and narrow lanterns are most authentic - in steel, iron or brass.
Heat oil in a large saucepan. Add onion and garlic;
cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in
ginger, cinnamon, salt, pepper and saffron; cook
for a minute, stirring frequently.
Add chicken, turning pieces over to coat well with
spice mixture. Add cinnamon sticks and water;
bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over medium
heat, turning chicken pieces occasionally, until
chicken is cooked and very tender, about 40
minutes. Remove chicken; cover and keep warm.
Add honey, apricots and raisins to liquid in pan.
Bring mixture to a boil; simmer until sauce is
reduced and thickened slightly, about 15 minutes.
Remove cinnamon sticks. Serve chicken and sauce
over couscous, sprinkled with cilantro or parsley.
Makes 4 to 6 servings
The tagine, a traditional Moroccan dish, originally referred to a
round earthenware dish with a cone-shaped lid designed to protect food from a cooking fire’s open flames. Today a tagine also describes what’s in the dish!
Differences in regionally available food and in cooks’ preferences have fueled a variety of tagine recipes in Morocco. The dish can be made with poultry, meat or fish, and includes a medley of spices, as well as raisins, prunes, apricots, olives and/or lemons.
TAGINES ARE A DELICIOUS, AUTHENTIC WAY TO BRING MOROCCAN CUISINE HOME.