Just 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...
Take 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.
Find 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.
Want 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.
Use 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.)
Before & After: Emily Henderson Transforms a Senior's Studio Space
Danielle's Charming, Classic Walk-Up
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
White Enamel Four-P...
On Saying No to Paleo: Why Eating Isn't One Size Fits All
Perfect Summer Cocktail Recipe: Honey Bourbon Lemonade
I like the striped satin blanket, but altogether, these rooms are atrocious. This trend isn't 'Modern Moroccan', it's 'Disney Disco Moroccan.'
One or two pieces might be fun, but a whole room would be trend overload.
I like the first pic and after that it gets too rowdy for my taste.
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!
It's the style also known as white-with-bright-color-accents.
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.
just curious about the sofa..... where would I find a place to purchase ? Not necessarily the color but the style....
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.
i love it. the chaos of color is fantastic!
What is with British magazine stylists? They seem to operate on the "more is better" premise.
The bedroom gives me a headache, but I really love the living room- that could be because of the windows though.
Bordering on insulting to call this Moroccan
I like the giant tin lantern in the family room, but I haven't met a lantern I didn't like.
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.
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/
Ok, I love the orange buffet, and the stacked rugs in the living room. The rest - oh *please* take it away.
It looks like a Madeline Weinrib sample sale vomited. And I'm a huge fan! This is a big nono though.
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.
I dig the wallpaper.
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!
It's a 'just got my first place' look.
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
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.
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/
@hati I think the comforter is from Target.
Here's a link:
http://www.target.com/Home-Brights-Stripe-Dots-Quilt/dp/B002BU9XLE/sr=1-3/qid=1249415557/ref=sr_1_3/177-0787210-7465728?ie=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-index&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3Aquilt&page=1
Opps!! I was looking at
House Tour: Mike & Angela's Weekend Escape
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.
Sorry!!
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.
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.
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)?
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
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/