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Trend Alert: Modern Moroccan

080409_modernmorroco1.jpgJust picked up the latest copy of Living Etc.--we have to say, we're intrigued by this new twist on an old style. Dubbed "Modern Moroccan," this trend punches up the tried n' true jewel tones to the point of day-glo while mixing just a few touches of Hollywood Regency to keep the look updated and fresh. It's whimsical, it's bright, and honestly? It's just really, really fun. Take a look at how Living Etc. styled a few rooms with this new trend...

 
 

080409_modernmorroco2.jpgTake a traditional Moroccan design, scan it in grayscale, and get it blown up to hang in the entryway. It'll become the focal point--but with the black and white motif, it won't be too overpowering and it can be accessorized with vases and flowers of brilliant colors.


080409_modernmorroco3.jpgFind the right balance between a riot of colors and pristine white for the bedroom. Instead of using the more traditional silk Moroccan fabric, opt for striped satin to keep the look modern. The white bedding balances out the room while its hemming picks up all the colors in the coverlet.


080409_modernmorroco4.jpgWant to start small? Say you have a lamp that you picked up at Cost Plus (impulse buy!), and it just doesn't go with your current style. That's okay--Modern Moroccan means never having to say "mismatched." In fact, that one lamp can give your desk or shelf a little exotic flair.


080409_modernmorroco5.jpgUse your dining room as a display for all of those eclectic curiosities you may have picked up over the years. Add a lot of color and some shine (lacquer, mirrors, etc), and you've pretty much mastered this style.

What do you think of Modern Moroccan? Something you'd try in your home or dorm room?

(Images: Living Etc.)

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Look!, Living Etc, bright colors, Modern Moroccan, trend alert

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Comments (31)

I like the striped satin blanket, but altogether, these rooms are atrocious. This trend isn't 'Modern Moroccan', it's 'Disney Disco Moroccan.'

posted by slowdown on August 4th 2009 at 8:52am
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One or two pieces might be fun, but a whole room would be trend overload.

posted by editrix26 on August 4th 2009 at 9:06am
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I like the first pic and after that it gets too rowdy for my taste.

posted by DD104 on August 4th 2009 at 9:14am
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I love Moroccan, and I love modern, so in theory this really excites me! But I agree, I think it's just a little too much in each of those pictures.

I think the issues is just too many of the World Market-ish accessories (which one or two of are great!). Too many tiny things and your eyes don't know where to go! However, in my mind I can easily take out a lot of the accessories and think of this as a great style! I just realized I have way too few pillows on my low-back couch. I need to go shopping!

posted by criv227 on August 4th 2009 at 9:21am
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It's the style also known as white-with-bright-color-accents.

posted by Lisa (Montreal) on August 4th 2009 at 9:24am
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The concept is great, but the execution of it in the above pictures is overkill. Perhaps some editing of the accessories would help. I do appreciate the bright colors, but they should be used more sparingly. I think that this could be a great style though.

posted by suzy8track on August 4th 2009 at 9:34am
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just curious about the sofa..... where would I find a place to purchase ? Not necessarily the color but the style....

posted by lilipixi on August 4th 2009 at 9:36am
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Don't care for the look at all. Not inviting and seems garish and tacky.

I think the padded headboard could be really pretty in a serene more adult environment. and I do like those distressed metal stools around the table.

posted by Junobeth on August 4th 2009 at 10:08am
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i love it. the chaos of color is fantastic!

posted by Lady J on August 4th 2009 at 10:17am
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What is with British magazine stylists? They seem to operate on the "more is better" premise.

posted by raina on August 4th 2009 at 10:29am
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The bedroom gives me a headache, but I really love the living room- that could be because of the windows though.

posted by MiniEnglishRose on August 4th 2009 at 10:36am
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Bordering on insulting to call this Moroccan

posted by leadingedge on August 4th 2009 at 10:37am
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I like the giant tin lantern in the family room, but I haven't met a lantern I didn't like.

posted by JessicaO on August 4th 2009 at 10:45am
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oh, so you mean that when you look at a fashion editorial in Vogue, where, for example, the models are wearing tribal african masks with thong bikinis and stilettos, you rush to the store to buy the exact same outfit to wear it to the beach? didn't think so... these are editorial shots, of furniture and as opposed to clothing... they're meant to inspire not to be taken literally.

posted by chris_94131 on August 4th 2009 at 10:52am
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I agree overkill and tacky.

I have been to Morocco and was in awe of the beauty, this is not doing it for me.

I like to look at this blog once in awhile for a color fix-

http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/my_marrakesh/

posted by LoriSF on August 4th 2009 at 11:11am
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Ok, I love the orange buffet, and the stacked rugs in the living room. The rest - oh *please* take it away.

posted by JoanneM on August 4th 2009 at 11:31am
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It looks like a Madeline Weinrib sample sale vomited. And I'm a huge fan! This is a big nono though.

posted by zaky on August 4th 2009 at 11:50am
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yeah there are too many accessories and when I think of modern, I think of editing down pieces to showcase the beauty of each item in the room. The way the rooms are styled they take away from the beauty of the Moroccan pieces.

posted by nirvanadude22 on August 4th 2009 at 12:15pm
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I dig the wallpaper.

posted by bromeliad on August 4th 2009 at 12:23pm
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its cool in small doses. i too love the mymarrakesth blog. lilipixi, the sofa looks like it could be roche bobois (which is expensive) i've never seen a good knockoff. if anyone knows of one, let us know!

posted by Kpaige13 on August 4th 2009 at 12:38pm
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It's a 'just got my first place' look.

posted by peachpie on August 4th 2009 at 12:47pm
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I am not a fan of the overall style. I do like the lamp in the first picture and the lamp in the fourth picture, but the colors are kind of garish.

On the other hand, I must, must have that "ALLAH" vase in the first picture. I found out is a 2007 Karim Rashid design for a Turkish vase company, but can't seem to find it anywhere.

Anyone have any sourcing info on this vase?

nyc

posted by nycwife on August 4th 2009 at 1:09pm
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LoriSF thanks for the great link. As for the Living Etc pictures, my favorite piece is the coral and white hassock at the end of the bed--otherwise there is just too much going on in those rooms.

posted by bcthree on August 4th 2009 at 1:42pm
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I agree with many of the posters here that these rooms are just a little too cluttered with color. I think what could help would be sticking to a more monochromatic theme. Moroccan interiors in their own right tend to be pretty spare, with just a few carefully chosen pieces. I also must say that I love the idea of modern moroccan and am trying something like that in my own place...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hennalounge/3168922838/in/set-72157607710638927/

posted by darcitananda on August 4th 2009 at 1:52pm
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Opps!! I was looking at
House Tour: Mike & Angela's Weekend Escape
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.

Sorry!!

posted by cincinnati-meg on August 4th 2009 at 2:57pm
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mmm, that's nor moroccan... that's just bright with some swirly patterns tossed in for good measure.

As for modern moroccan... didn't west elm do a tasteful version of that 2 years ago? Not exactly a new trend.... It was nice when they did it, though.

posted by modern on long island on August 4th 2009 at 3:47pm
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I like certain elements depicted here:
Layered rugs (but not those layered rugs) the fretwork wallpaper, the modern credenzas, the lacquered console table...

...but so many of the choices are too bright, too garish and altogether too much - If this is the next trend, I'll stick to old-fashioned.

posted by bepsf on August 4th 2009 at 5:56pm
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ok there are a lot of colors here, but i just love the first snap, i needed inspiration and there it is! anyone have any ideas to get that sofa look (close to the floor pillow style)?

posted by henna82 on August 4th 2009 at 7:25pm
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The allah vase (Cali) is the first thing that caught my eye too.
I located it here.
http://www.unicahome.com/catalog/item.asp?id=44357&PartnerID=SHARESL

posted by GECD on August 5th 2009 at 12:22am
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Dear Grace,
Can you link or write an article about our beautiful Portuguese Tiles?
www.bicesse-tiles.com
and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiles4ever/

posted by Bicesse tiles on August 22nd 2009 at 7:05pm
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