Moroccan rugs- bright and beautiful

Bringing in a touch of ethnicity in homes is now considered fashionable and even if cannot do up your entire house in the current fashionable mode, adding a few native touches here and there is enough to brighten up the atmosphere. One of the most popular and emerging home décor styles is the moroccan décor and the best way to impart it is by scattering a few of the lovely moroccan rugs through the house. Ethnic styles have really caught on and hand-woven moroccan rugs are a lovely way of bringing in the warmth and brightness of that country. Moroccan furnitures including tables and lanterns have become de rigueur in many houses.

 

The usage of moroccan rugs is not a new phenomenon as they have always been used in millions of homes as the easiest way of imparting some color to the home décor. The geometric patterns of these rugs have long been popular in stylish, urbane homes and the renowned pile carpets from the middle atlas mountains of morocco are displayed in many famous houses.

For many, on a visit to morocco, a trip to the famous ‘souk’ of marrakech to buy moroccan clothing or rugs is a must and they happily spend half a day haggling over the prices of carpets or clothing while sipping mint tea from one of those lovely tea glasses moroccan. There are many types of moroccan rugs like the berber carpets, ‘kilims’ and fez carpets. 

The berber carpet is the most famous of the moroccan rugs and is made of naturally dyed wool. The colors maybe bright or faded and the rug is normally handmade. The berbers are an indigenous tribe of north africa living in morocco. The berber carpets are unique in their designs and colors and maybe somewhat similar to those of the native americans. Some berber carpets can be ancient and can cost the earth. 

‘kilims’ or ‘hanbels’ are the cheaper variety of moroccan rugs and are normally made from silk or wool or a combination of both. They are lightweight with flat weaves and the motifs are in shades of red, blue, green, white and mauve. They look beautiful and also make for great wall hangings.

Fez carpets are of excellent quality boasting of very intricate patterns and are very densely knotted. These are the most expensive types of moroccan rugs and they always come with a tag stating their quality. The size, quality, designs and colors determine the prices of these moroccan carpets. 

Moroccan rugs are a pleasant mixture of modern and ethnic styling. The warm and bright hues of these rugs can liven up any space and impart a trendy, colorful and luxurious feel to the area. With theirs striking colors and bold patterns, they make for perfect flooring accessories or as throws. Since they are handmade from wool or silk, moroccan rugs have an inherent indigenous character and quality which makes them stand apart from other factory-made, synthetic carpets and lend a distinctive look to your home.

Moroccan lanterns- recreate your own Moroccan oasis

Moroccan décor is really ‘in’ and ‘hot’ right now and every house-proud woman worth her salt is going berserk trying to incorporate some elements of it in her home. Moroccan tables, henna lamps and moroccan lanterns are really jazzing up the looks of homes giving them an exotic, breezy oriental feel. The easiest way to prep up your home with some touches of morocco is by buying a few of those beautiful moroccan lanterns. These lanterns are available in many sizes ranging from table top ones to floor lamps and to some really large ones which can be hung at the entrance of your home. You can either place candles inside them or have them wired for electric bulbs. 

Moroccan lanterns are distinctive from other lanterns in that although they are made of stained glass, they are deeply tinted and come with decorative textures. The stained glass is actually held by a metal framework in a filigree or lattice pattern which casts lovely, elaborate shadows and patterns in a room when the lantern is lit. This really imparts a special feel and ambience to the whole room. The henna lamps which are also a type of moroccan lanterns are made out of goat skins which have been stretched and they have some unique designs which have been hand painted. Some have also been colored with paprika and saffron dyes which makes for a rustic, earthy look in the room. 

Barred by their religion to portray human figures, moroccan craftsmen make lanterns in geometric shapes or plant or natural designs and symbols. According to ancient beliefs such designs also help in warding off the evil spirit and protecting the owner of the lanterns. The shapes and signs on the moroccan lanterns are symbolic; for instance, patterns of fish symbolize fertility, prosperity and water while that of a lizard means the owner of the lantern is a seeker of the sun. 

The space in the room is the foremost consideration when you buy moroccan lanterns. If the space is small, one large piece which is perhaps placed in a corner of the room will give a traditional, rustic look while a cluster of small moroccan lanterns spread out in a large space will impart a splendid glow in the room. 

In small areas, when using  a moroccan lantern try using a candle within it instead of a bulb for creating softer and more interesting carved shadows on the walls and ceiling of the room. If using henna lamps or sconces, try low wattage bulbs; this will impart a very romantic feel to the room. You can really dress up your barbeque area with some small, hanging moroccan lanterns; these will cast interesting shadows and elaborate patterns in your garden.

Moroccan lanterns are easy to maintain and can last a lifetime. Moroccan lanterns with their vivid patterns, exotic designs and colors will add a unique touch to your home décor and you can use them to recreate your own little corner of morocco.

Moroccan kaftan- an elegant yet comfortable dress

Mention morocco and images of ‘souks’ redolent with spices and full of moroccan rugs, moroccan clothing and moroccan lanterns will fill your mind. Visitors to marrakech are left stunned by the display of so much beauty and richness of moroccan craftsmanship and its difficult to tear oneself away from the exotic ‘souks’ or bazaars of morocco.

Moroccan craftsmanship is a crucial part of its society and it reflects the rich history and culture of morocco. Nowhere is it more apparent than in the richly embroidered moroccan kaftan which has made a name for itself in the world of fashion. The moroccan kaftan is the traditional dress of the women in that country but with an international dimension as it has been adapted by top end designers across the fashion world.

Moroccans take pride in their traditional hand dressmaking and the kaftan is one of the most potent symbols of this exquisite craftsmanship. Moroccan craftsmen have worked hard to preserve the national identity of the moroccan kaftan while at the same time contributing to its development and adaptation as a more modern garment. Their creative skills and knowledge have made the kaftan one of the most sought-after garments not only in the east but also in the west where it has taken the form of many new and interesting designs.

The kaftan has a history which goes back to the ottoman empire when these full-sleeved, long cloaks made of either cotton or silk were worn by men. The ottoman sultans particularly favored these kaftans and the hierarchical culture of the ottoman empire was evident in the types of kaftans which could be worn by whom and when.

The color, pattern, amounts and types of ribbons and buttons which could be used to adorn the kaftan were dictated by hierarchy and obviously the higher the hierarchy, the more opulent and decorative was the kaftan. The moroccan kaftan however is worn by women and its versatility is evident by the fact that it can easily be worn as a formal evening dress or as casual attire for informal occasions. These are primarily designed for comfort and ease of wear.

Moroccan brides prefer to wear the moroccan kaftan which has rich, intricate embroidery and while the bridal garment is mainly in white, jewel colors like emerald or fuschia are also becoming increasingly popular. The kaftan remains long-sleeved and full-length but can be very richly embroidered and is usually made of silk for special occasions. Prices can range from modest to very high depending upon the fabric used and the amount of work done on the kaftan. 

With all things moroccan being fashionable right now, be it tea glasses moroccan, moroccan tables or moroccan fiurnitures, the time is ripe for you to invest in a beautiful moroccan kaftan which can be as simple or as richly embroidered as you want. Sitting amidst your moroccan décor in your moroccan kaftan and partaking of the sublime moroccan tagine, who can blame you for feeling transported to exotic morocco?