Marrakech reveals its true colours
Jun 29, 2011Did you know that Marrakech is also known as the Pink City? I didn’t, until I read it in the in-flight magazine while sitting on a plane cruising thousands of feet above the ground. But while driving towards our hotel, I discovered why – the city is awash with terracotta stones that have faded to a hundred different soft pink shades.
There’s nothing like a trip straight out of your comfort zone to alter your perception of the world. Against a neutral background like terracotta, colours look more vivid, lights shine brighter and textiles seem richer. Glass jars containing organic herbs sparkle so brightly when the sunshine hits them. Spices like red paprika and yellow saffron piled high into dome shapes, seem nearly neon against the blue mosaic tiled dishes in which they stand. And beautiful teen girls steal the spotlight as they go about their daily activities in their colour-block traditional kaftans.
And then there are the textiles – like lush blue fabric with brown-patterned detail covering a vintage chair, or newly red-stained white cloths hanging up to dry. And traditional North African lanterns with red and yellow stained glass inserts that glow orange when they light up at night. All so eye-catching.
Also, I can’t leave out the Jardin Majorelle. This is a beautiful garden in Marrakech that was first created by painter Jacques Majorelle and later became an oasis of inspiration and contemplation for fashion great Yves Saint Laurent. The lush green vegetation gently entwined with raspberry pink flowers and dotted with yellow and pastel blue-painted flower pots couldn’t provide more inspiration for a dream outdoor area if you searched forever!
But, sadly, I couldn’t take the vintage chair with me… nor the lanterns, and, definitely not the Jardin Majorelle! But I can carry ideas with me. Those are tax free and invisible to even the grumpiest of customs guards. As soon as I landed back in rainy London, I was at IKEA on the hunt for fabrics to use in my home. An outdoor-themed textile with pink, yellow, blue and a bird print brings back happy moments of my time spent in the Jardin Majorelle. Orange fabric with white and black bird and leaf motifs reminds me of watching the gorgeous lanterns glow in the dark. The colour orange also always makes me reminisce about my time spent in Africa. And the blue textile with the white floral designs brings back memories of my all-time favourite vintage chair.
Next up, glass jars to store brightly coloured spices are going on my counter tops, as well as mosaic dishes. I’ve got to get some mosaic dishes!
To see more inspiring ideas, visit my blog: http://dearworldlovel-mo.tumblr.com/
Blog / Lisa
Lisa is an analogue girl living in a digital world. She loves all things digital, but family photographs, film cameras and books make her happiest.
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