ESSAOUIRA: MARITIME MOMENT

The blue medina of Morocco's seaside destination was a welcome relief after the Saharan Desert. After trekking through the stark Sahara and journeying through the remote Atlas mountains, we welcomed the ocean breezes and relaxed atmosphere in this picturesque resort town. Sustained on the locally caught seafood, we set off into the medina, exploring the ultramarine alleys and the striped port. Along the rampart walls I discovered these boldly casual paintings, being painted plein-air, which completely capture the essence of Essaoira.

ESSAOUIRA: BLUE CITY

Blue and White is so crisp. It seems to cool the room with its dark, refreshing atmosphere. If Marrakech is considered the ochre city - as most Moroccan cities tend to reveal the warm hued sandstone from which they are built - Essaoira decidedly reflects the neighboring sea. The houses are painted in stark white and bold blues, sometimes even in stripes. Although typically I gravitate toward warm hues, these ultramarine and cobalt details are perfect for setting the seaside mood. 

Morocco: Peacock Pavilions

Maryam Montague's Peacock Pavilions reveal an inspired Marrakech. The exquisitely decorated guest rooms are influenced by artisan Moroccan culture, but somehow are transformed into something even more magical. Rugs, poufs and wall murals create uniquely colorful spaces. The artifacts are hand chosen and mix into a multicultural canvas of patterns and textures. Reading about the design process revealed that a San Diego Artist, Melanie Royals (see more here) created the stenciled mosaics. This is definitely the place to stay! Hopefully I can return to Marrakech, this time for an art inspired adventure. 

See more colorful interior vignettes in this month's Lonny.

Interior photos courtesy of My Marrakech

MY MARRAKECH

I'm not quite sure why it has taken me so long to discover the colorfully ornate world of Maryam Montague! Her blog has inspired millions of travelers and I have finally found it through the current issue of Lonny magazine. I can't wait to get my copy of her new book! It will be exciting to learn more about Moroccan design through the Peacock Pavilions and be inspired by Maryam's excuisite Moroccan style.

CASABLANCA: MEDINA MURALS