CasaSugar

Home Away from Home: Castles in the Sand

CasaSugar — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:30:54 -0800

Two hours from Marrakech in a town called Essaouira, where Orson Welles based his Othello and Jimi Hendrix found inspiration for "Castles in the Sand," English couple Emma Wilson and Graham Carter bought a pair of magical 200-year-old Moroccan houses and named them Castles in the Sand. The pair transformed "Dar Beida" and "Dar Emma" into exquisitely designed, playful, boutique guest houses full of flea market finds, Moroccan artifacts, antiques, and, most of all, charm. The houses, called riads, are available to rent throughout the year and make for a fantastic getaway, just a few minutes from the beach.

Dar Beida (the white house), shown here, is a four-bedroom villa and can be rented for about $488 per person for week, which includes lots of complimentary goodies like Moroccan slippers, use of beach towels, wireless Internet, etc. With white walls and floors throughout, ancient sandstone columns, and wood ceilings, it has gorgeous organic modern bones that create a calm base for the house's mix of eclectic lighting, art, and furnishings. It's built around a central courtyard (with a fountain!) with four stories, including a library, a lounge with a fireplace, an open plan fully-equipped kitchen, a large terrace, sun beds, and a hammock. All in all it looks, and sounds, like a dream. See more photos when you read more.

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Home Away From Home: Hotel La Mamounia

CasaSugar — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:00:32 -0800

While you were spending Thanksgiving with family and friends, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, and other celebrities were in Morocco, celebrating the reopening of the Hotel La Mamounia in Marrakech.

What's so fabulous about this hotel that Hollywood's A-listers decided to drop everything and drop in? Pretty much everything. Originally opened in 1923, the hotel hosted famous names throughout history, including Franklin Roosevelt and Charlie Chaplin, and it recently underwent a $176 million makeover. The 136 rooms, 71 suites, and three private riads got an updated Art-Deco-meets-Moroccan look designed by an expert team led by Jacques Garcia. Feast on the fabulous eye candy when you read more.

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On the Market: Yves Saint Laurent's Villa Mabrouka

CasaSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:00:34 -0700

French designer Yves Saint Laurent, who passed away in June 2008, is known for his iconic fashions. However, the designer also had a discerning eye when it came to the world of real estate. His Moroccan home, Villa Mabrouka, or "House of Luck," is currently on the market, and I am swooning over the house's location, style, and interior design.

Interior Design notes,

The Moroccan home represents a collaboration between two of the great French aesthetes of the 20th century: Laurent, who turned pantsuits and safari jackets into haute couture, and Jacques Grange, the only interior designer ever to receive the Légion d'Honneur, France's highest decoration. Perched on a cliff overlooking the coast of the Spanish region of Andalusia and the Strait of Gibraltar, the 9,688-square-foot home rests on nearly two acres of grounds landscaped by Madison Cox, featuring soaring palms, Italian lemon trees, and extensive lawns. A heated swimming pool was excavated into the mountain rocks on which the estate stands, while a nearby pavilion was designed by architect Stuart Church.

To take a tour of this gorgeous Moroccan home, read more.

The home, which is located five minutes outside of downtown Tangier, features gorgeous Mediterranean Sea views,and is surrounded by immaculate gardens. A mix of Moroccan and English styles, the home is eclectic, refined, and absolutely gorgeous. I'm ready to move in! If you have the cash for this killer property, check out the details at Christies Great Esates.

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Sienna Miller Lists Her London Home For Less

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:01:18 -0700

Sienna Miller has put her 2,095-square-feet, two-bedroom, three-bath home in St. John's Wood, London, on the market for $1.6 million - about $750,000 less than she paid for it in 2007. The digs are as bohemian as her wardrobe, with a mix of furnishings both traditional and modern, industrial and rustic. Architecturally, it's an unusual space, with a striking, curved staircase running between the ground floor reception room and kitchen and the first floor, which holds a bedroom, mezzanine, and office area. In the basement, or lower ground floor, there's a beautiful tiled lounge/entertaining area with a Turkish bath and sauna à la my beloved Moroccan style. And you'll see Moroccan lanterns elsewhere in her home as well. It seems like a great house, and I don't have any major complaints about the décor, but I would have expected more from this purveyor of cool. Take a look at photos and tell me what you think when you read more.

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10 Lamps to Take You to Marrakesh and Back

CasaSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 07:00:25 -0700

You know how I love all things Moroccan. Most recently, my eye's been lingering over these gorgeous Recycled Metal Globes (on sale for $118). Their circular shapes and cutouts are sure to transform a room. Made from interlacing recycled metallic bands, the latticework will cast gorgeous, geometric shadows when they're lit up. I can see these looking fabulous in a moody bedroom or over a burled wood table. Where would you put them?

To see nine more Moroccan-inspired lamps, read more.

Steal of the Day: Jonathan Adler Marrakesh Rug

CasaSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 07:00:00 -0700

What was one a crave-worthy Nice and New is now a Steal of the Day. I love when this happens! The Jonathan Adler Marrakesh Rug ($895-1,995) can be yours for 20 percent off the original price; now that's a steal! I first swooned over the green and black colorway, but now I'm loving this brown and magenta pairing. Want something more neutral? The rug is also available in a muted gray. The way I see it, whatever color you choose, this rug is the perfect blend of eclectic Moroccan style and the pared-down pop that Adler is known for.

Crave Worthy: Moroccan Square Ottoman

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:30:52 -0700

I am beginning to feel pretty pathetic and predictable about my love for all things Moroccan. Yesterday, I was flipping through a friend's cookbook, The Food of Morocco, and was literally salivating more and more with every turn of the page. She turned to me and said, "Why don't you move there already?" That's not going to happen any time soon. Until it does, I wouldn't mind soothing my yearning for the North African country with this Moroccan Square Ottoman ($1,195). Made of natural linen with meticulous black embroidery, it's a sight for wanderlust-filled eyes. I'm especially swooning over the black tassels with wooden beads in each of its four corners.

Ask Casa: Color My New Crib

CasaSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:00:50 -0700

Hi CasaSugar,
After a very long eight weeks, I'm moving into my new duplex as a first-time homeowner! I'm really excited about having so much freedom to decorate my place however I see fit. But, I'm having a hard time with one room.
I have one open space that serves as the entryway, dining area, and formal sitting room/library with a fireplace. I was planning on painting one accent wall royal plum, another dark emerald, and the remaining walls almond paste. The problem is that I can't seem to find many furnishings and accessories to coordinate with this color scheme. Can you help me find some cool stuff? I plan on incorporating a Turkish lantern and hookah from my honeymoon, so anything with a Turkish, Moroccan, or Arabian influence would be awesome. I'm also never afraid of a good DIY project, so bring it on!

Thanks,
EvilDorkGirl

To hear my suggestions for EvilDorkGirl, read more.

Hi EvilDorkGirl,
That's a great room! How exciting that you have the opportunity to decorate it! You've chosen a very exotic range of colors, but I think they will work. I've rounded up a bunch of products to inspire you.

For your large furniture pieces, I recommend making timeless, versatile choices like a clean-lined ivory sofa and a dark wood dining table with shapely legs. This way, if you choose to venture from your wall color palette or choose a different style, your investments will still be appropriate.

For your small furnishings, like side tables, chairs, and coffee table, I say go for something with a bit of an Eastern flair. You can integrate this style with lattice-like patterns and Moorish arches.

When it comes to accessories, go wild with Turkish and Moroccan elements to get the look of an exotic bazaar. These cultures are often heavy on the textiles, especially beautifully embroidered ones, so I pulled a few plum-toned pillows in varying but complementary patterns to liven up your sofa. Your walls will be dark, so brighten the room with light but patterned curtains and a diamond motif jute rug. A Moroccan pouf offers additional seating and brings in color. A tea-tray-style coffee table that's low to the ground recalls Turkish salons and makes for cozy lounging. Check out the book Bazaar Style for more inspiration!

Hope that helps,
Casa

Trend Alert: Nomadic Elegance

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:00:40 -0800

While the Matthew Williamson Fall 2009 fashion show is full of crave-worthy, gorgeous pieces. I'm most attracted to this fluid, champagne-colored dress, whose mandala accent reminds me of Morocco. Nomadic elegance is all over the home map this season, including at the newly opened West Elm store. To see my picks for home looks that combine the same nomadic elegance found at the Matthew Williamson show, check out the slideshow. Source

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Crave Worthy: Suzani Chair

CasaSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:30:43 -0800

When a Central Asian textile is being replicated by an artist in Southern Vermont, you may start to wonder whether a trend has jumped the shark. But then, a discovery of an exquisite Suzani chair made by genuine Marrakechi artisans makes you believe once more. This exclusive Sheherazade Morroccan Chair ($950) is beautifully accented with nailhead trim and ultra suede armrests. It's a case in point for why some trends last, some designs are imitated, and others fall by the wayside. With this one-of-a-kind find, you can take comfort in the fact that it's all yours - and that your friends will be mighty envious of your find.