01tile9-25-09_rect540
01tile9-25-09_square72 02tile9-25-09_square72 03tile9-25-09_square72 04tile9-25-09_square72 05tile9-25-09_square72 06tile9-25-09_square72 07tile9-25-09_square72 08tile9-25-09_square72 09tile9-25-09_square72 10tile9-25-09_square72

We've never been to Morocco, but all the photos of gorgeous tile covering walls, floors, and fountains is enough to make us want to pack up and go there...

Imagine living in an actual house covered in this stuff. Besides being beautiful, Moroccan tiles are utilitarian. They're easy to clean, while the intricate patterns hide flaws or dirt well. Tile is structurally strong and long-lasting, and it naturally insulates a space, keeping surfaces cooler in summer and warmer in winter. This last characteristic is especially important in North Africa, where anything that protects against heat is a good thing. For sources in the US, try justmorocco.com (online), Imports From Marrakesh (New York), and Granada Tiles (LA).

FIRST ROW
• 1 vtveen licensed via Creative Commons
• 2 anna pearson licensed via Creative Commons
• 3 SheepGuardingLlama licensed via Creative Commons
• 4 Jeremy Cherfas licensed via Creative Commons
• 5 pyd licensed via Creative Commons

SECOND ROW
• 6 Squirmelia licensed via Creative Commons
• 7 seier+seier+seier licensed via Creative Commons
• 8 mhobl licensed via Creative Commons
• 9 only alice licensed via Creative Commons
• 10 Steve & Jemma Copley licensed via Creative Commons