Morocco

Morocco Independence Day

Morocco celebrates Independence Day today, one of five independence celebrations throughout the year. In honour, here's a celebration of interior and architectural design from the country. The colours, textures and penchant for ornament never cease to provide inspiration for me. Moroccan art, design, crafts express a vibrance that's echoed in the country's warm and welcoming people – I definitely recommend visiting if ever you have the opportunity.

Jena-shots

Above: the award-winning Amanjena resort.

Ptit_bibl-shots

Above: for a more traditional experience, P'tit Habibi, a riad in the Marrakech Medina. 

Morocco-inside-out

Above: top – the exotic Majorelle Gardens, home to plants from 5 continents and to the Islamic Art Museum. Bottom – a variety of colours and textures inside an apothecary's shop. 

Hamam

Above: inside and outside a hamam in the Marrakech Medina.

Images: hotel photographs from the respective websites. All other photography by Lulu Kitololo 

Inspired: Boucherouite rugs from Morocco

Boucherouite-rugs

I was browsing Design*Sponge when I saw these beautiful Boucherouite rugs from Morocco. Made from leftover scraps of fabric and other materials, as wool became more rare and expensive, the result is spontaneous and unique designs. Read more about them and see more images here.

This reminds me of a great Ted Talk where researcher Charles Leadbeater talks about how innovation usually takes place where resources are too scarce for traditional solutions to work*. Afrigadget is another great example of the power of ingenuity where resources aren't always abundant.

*It's a fantastic talk about reimagining education and I highly recommend giving it a view!
Images from Brix Picks