Open Sesame: The Portal To Moroccan Furniture and Decor

Not everyone can take off globe trotting whenever the whim strikes. If it’s a change of scene and a little exoticism you’re craving, why not set the tone in a room of your own home? Then you’re free to take a trip there and back at your leisure. Transform your living room into a Moroccan retreat and you can take the journey as often as you’d like.

First, you need a fresh canvas. Tear out your beige carpet to reveal a bare wood floor, or add a stained finish to concrete. Throw down some richly woven rugs haphazardly for an unaffected opulence, or carefully lay them out to create flow through the room, from door to window or door to door.

If it’s an urban flair you’re after, try a rug from Rabat, or if you’d prefer something more traditional, opt for a kilim originating from Marrakech. If you are feeling really adventurous, try some of the famed Moroccan patterned tiles. Made with striking geometric patterns, they exude a quietly modern vibe with their elemental repetition and make for a bold backdrop. Use them to emphasize a wall trim or to line the floor.

For a touch of true authenticity, you can purchase antique doors, which once hung in Moroccan palaces or homes. Using these beautifully engraved doors within your home can truly give you feeling of opening a portal straight into the magical exoticism of Morocco, no matter where you are coming from.

Divide the room into private nooks, blocking off the television or small seating areas or with an ornately carved and colorfully painted screen. Known world-wide for skilled woodworking, a Moroccan room divider can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Instead of another staid entertainment center, improvise. Try using a carved wooden Moroccan armoire to hold your television or stereo, or even as an exquisite showcase for your book collection. Hand painted with geometric motifs, these armoires can pick wonderfully accent rug patterns or pick up other colors to keep the room fresh and bright.

Small, painted end tables uniquely shaped as star or hexagons are an alternative to the typical square coffee table. Brilliant painting sets off delicate carvings and inlay done by master craftsmen. Add a three foot Moroccan ceramic vase to compliment it.

Moroccan royal style chairs provide seating fit for a king or queen. Carved into throne-like shapes with pointed chair backs, these come in any color you could desire. Or maybe you’re looking for something more casual? Try a few backless leather ottomans, with hand stitched embroidery. These simple pieces can create an informal spot to relax with a cup of coffee and chat with visitors.

No passports necessary; no need to hop a plane or pack a suitcase. Once you finish hand selecting the pieces needed to create your own Moroccan hideaway, you are ready to take the trip at a moment’s notice, right next door.

Celebrate the new style! Throw an Arabian Night party. Encourage costumes - think Aladdin, genies, belly dancers, magic carpets and lamps. Invite your friends into your private Moroccan oasis.

Adeal Benhayoun is the owner of Star of Morocco, which specializes in Moroccan decor and Moroccan furniture.