Latest Articles by Adeal Benhayoun

Moroccan Lanterns - An Escape Into Moroccan Furniture

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

In a perfect world, you would be in your Mediterranean parlor, reclining on a luxuriously upholstered ottoman with a warm bowl of harira soup. At this moment, however, the rich comforts of Moroccan furniture seem impossibly far away. Instead you find yourself walking through the wet, blustery chill of a February morning at an hour so early that it still feels like yesterday. Gone are the lush fabrics, bold colors, and cinnamon earth tones of Moroccan decor- they have been replaced by the concrete reality of the surrounding metropolis. You clutch your overcoat against your chest, hoping to ward away the worst of the sleet until you reach your first destination - the bus stop. As you get off the bus, you see the glowing light of Moroccan lanterns shining. Each step drags you further and further from your treasured Moroccan furniture. But you have planned for this; the vision of your Mediterranean parlor will sustain you throughout the day until you can return to its welcoming mirth.

The bus is drawing near, and you wonder if you will encounter the surly bus driver today. With bated breath, you climb aboard and-- the surly driver greets you with a dismissive snort. But you aren't even there. The bus has already morphed into the Mediterranean parlor, Moroccan lanterns are everywhere glowing their magical flare; the stiff bucket seats have been replaced by the forgiving cushion of your favorite ottoman, its refined silken upholstery buffering you against the onslaughts of a callous society. The din of cell phones and the steady groan of the city melt away as you remember the quiet solace found only in your own Moroccan furniture.

This is your stop. A hydraulic sigh accompanies your leap from the bus steps, and you take to the sidewalk as if in a trance. And still the visions of Moroccan furniture and the shining Moroccan lanterns captivate your imagination. Smoke from a nearby ventilation pipe reminds you of a steaming cup of mint tea. Furniture shop windows try to lure you from your daydream with promises of modern creature comforts, but you remain unswayed. Beneath your feet, the cement gives way to the provocative fractals of a Moroccan tile floor; the hardened concrete path appears as the luxurious hand-made Berber carpet that adorns the floor of your Mediterranean parlor. And within the icy puddles, you can see the reflection of an elaborately decorated Moroccan ceiling above you. In this world, you may walk between the raindrops, unscathed by the neon lights that buzz cynically overhead; and in their place, you see only the romantic glow of hand-wrought Moroccan lanterns.

You have finally arrived at the office where you have reached countless compromises in the past. The revolving door of the building has little to offer you in comparison to the intricately engraved entrance to your Mediterranean parlor. In Morocco, the doors are designed to welcome guests, enticing them with grace and artistry. But here-- in the real world-- the doors seem to throw you out as soon as they invite you in. Your body may enter here, but your mind will remain transfixed with the exotic ambiance of Moroccan decor. Co-workers greet you with bowed heads and grave countenances; and you realize that many of them will live their entire lives without ever having glimpsed the subtle beauty of Moroccan furniture.

Entering the board room, you take your seat at an elongated table. The faces around you look bored. For them, all tables are rectangular-- or square. They have never seen a hexagonal table with fascinating Moorish designs and a hand-carved facade; that much is clear from their expressions. On your own face, there is a look of total contentment. The Moroccan furniture has pulled you through the worst of another day, thanks to your own sense of style and taste. Now you are curled up in your favorite ottoman, sipping your bowl of harira soup. Board meetings are so much better this way. And no one suspects that you aren't even there.

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Adeal Benhayoun is the head of Star of Morocco, which retails and wholesales exquisite Moroccan furniture pieces including colored glass Moroccan lanterns.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Moroccan Decor - A Quest for Moroccan Lanterns

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

The Moroccan door stands slightly ajar, its hand-carved patterns so intricate that you momentarily forget why you are here. A covert mission. With a deep breath, you push open the elaborate door and step into the room. Before you is an exquisitely decorated Mediterranean parlor, and you are disarmed by the eccentric beauty of the Moroccan décor surrounding you. In the center of the room, a hand-painted octagonal table with Moorish designs stands between an embroidered ottoman and a throne fit for the shahs of Persia. You notice a cup of mint tea on the Moroccan table. Still hot, its steam distorts the delicate geometries just above the cup, like a ripple in the fabric of space. The ottoman beckons you invitingly, and you oblige. And for the first time in ages, you feel calm and renewed.

For the past two weeks you have traveled Morocco, across the desert from Marrakech to Ouarzazate. Thus far you have managed to stay one step ahead of your pursuers in this game of international espionage. In your adventures, you have witnessed the splendors of the world. But the Mediterranean parlor, with its arched motifs and vibrant colors, possesses another worldly ambiance that is at once familiar and exhilarating. It is familiar because you recognize the influences of Roman and Arab architecture from your last mission in Ankara. It is exhilarating because never before have you seen such a perfect synthesis and balance of style and decor. In your dangerous occupation, you have all but forgotten that mankind shines brightest in the spirit of cooperation, not in conquest or isolation. You sip the green tea meditatively. Clearly someone left it here for you.

Above you, Moroccan lanterns swing gently to the rhythm of your thoughts. Behind panes of stained glass, the still glow of the lamps casts prismatic shapes across the Marrakech tile floors and Berber rugs. In the rug you sense not the cold calculations of a trained machine, but the living expression of human craftsmanship. Since you joined the secret service, you have been trained to disregard the breathtaking subtleties of life, to think only of economic interests and the greater good of the "system." Here in Morocco, centuries of diversity and trade have defied this conformity. Through elegance and artistry, Moroccan decor whispers in protest of a homogenous world.

You place the leather dossier on the Moroccan table before you, its secrets safe for the time being. Then your eyes become fixated on the Moorish designs that embellish the table's surface. Somewhere inside its painted angles, a code emerges. The message is abstract at first, but the undulating glow of Moroccan lanterns illuminates its mysteries like an encryption key. Nested within the patterns, you see the struggle of human history unfold on a geometric plane. Every war, every treaty, every negotiation between cultures and ideals is written in the abstract language of Moroccan decor. As the bridge between Europe, Africa, and Asia, Morocco has distilled the finest elements of the Old World and the New.

You inhale the light scent of mint from your tea and settle deeper into the seductive comfort of the Moroccan ottoman. The tension you felt just moment before melts into the opulent curves of the chaise, becoming one with a current of human emotions. The soulless economic system which has placed you at risk time and time again has no dominion here in the Moroccan parlor. This is the world as it was meant to be experienced, not how the analysts project it should be. Through an open window, you hear footsteps in the courtyard below. Your liaison has arrived. And the next adventure is about to begin.

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Adeal Benhayoun is the owner of Star of Morocco, which retails and wholesales Moroccan decor pieces including Moroccan lanterns and much more.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Moroccan Furniture - The Reverie

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

You nod politely to your father-in-law. He sits across from you, making wild gestures as he emphatically lauds the virtues of plastic. You have never been so bored in your life. Fortunately, you have good taste. Here in your Mediterranean parlor, the Moroccan furniture captivates your attention with exotic tales of adventure and romance. You are sustained by the elaborate decor which has afforded you with infinite distraction in the past.

The topic changes to politics. Hiding behind the steam of your Harira soup, you steal glances of the six-sided Moroccan table standing between you and your mundane guest. Hand-carved Romanesque designs embellish Moorish arches in a fascinating concordance of design. Ancient and modern. East and west. Traditional and progressive. The pure geometry and meticulous craftsmanship of the Moroccan table resolve the timeless debates. Cinnamon earth tones exist peacefully between vibrant shades of sapphire and vermilion. And somehow you know that there is more to learn from the silent artistry of a Moroccan table than from a hundred political diatribes.

The Alhambra bench yields patiently beneath the insistent enthusiasm of your guest. Gazing at the bench, you allow yourself to be mesmerized by intricate patterns in the wooden latticework. Every curve was fashioned by hand. Tracing them with your eyes, you follow a human drama through centuries of labor, accomplishment, and innovation. Morocco is the cultural crossroads between Europe and Arabia, and Moroccan furniture embodies the blissful spirit of cooperation. Classical, Deco, French, Berber, Moorish - the bench quietly reminds you that there are no distinctions, no boundaries in time and space. And why should there be? The best of all worlds is harmoniously encoded in the flawless design of Moroccan furniture, shaking antique paradigms to their very foundation.

Now the topic is religion. In your kasbah, Moroccan lanterns scatter brilliant shapes across the Andalusian tile. The Mediterranean parlor is consumed in a phantasmagoria of light, and you feel and the presence of something far greater than yourself. The universe avails itself in the henna designs of a nearby Moroccan rug. Looking past the design, you see yourself from above. Reality becomes a fractal, a neverending pattern of function and beauty. It is astonishing, yet obvious. It seems there can be only two types of people in this world: those who love plastic and those who find meaning in the noble artistry of Moroccan furniture. But in your Mediterranean parlor, you have learned that such dichotomies are meaningless. Time itself will distinguish the genuine from the contrived, and history is on your side. Surrounded by Moroccan furniture, you are heir to the divine legacy of mathematics and creation.

Your father-in-law looks at your expectantly. You collect yourself, admitting to him that you were briefly distracted. What were we talking about? The topic is Moroccan furniture. And you are bewildered because never before has your guest been this quiet and attentive. How do you begin to describe the carvings on a Falola chest or the engraved facade of an armoire Arabesque? How can you explain feelings so visceral and profound? Sipping your mint tea, you consider the question. For right now, silence is the best answer.

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Adeal Benhayoun is the owner of Star of Morocco, which wholesales and retails Moroccan bedding and Moroccan furniture.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Moroccan Furniture - Moroccan Lamps and Moroccan Lanterns

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Imagine coming home after a long day’s work and slipping into a living room oasis where you’re bathed in soft reds, yellows and oranges while resting on a plush cushion, next to a set of mini palm trees, breathing in the scent of Jasmine incense, listening to light jazz flutes. Selecting Moroccan furniture isn’t just about functionality anymore; it’s about creating a comfortable habitat where you can relax, de-stress and enjoy your downtime.

Finding the right lighting is the key to creating an ideal atmosphere. As early as 5,000 BC, the Chinese have been building homes in correlation with the sun to provide optimal light, warmth and energy. Historically, Morocco has hosted groups of diverse people from all directions – Phoenicians and Carthaginians from the East, Sub-Saharan Africans from the South, in addition to Romans, Vandals and Andalusians from the North. This Diaspora of culture comes together and can be clearly seen in these colorful Moroccan lamps and lanterns.

What makes Moroccan lamps truly unique is that they’re not mass-produced in a sterile factory -- but rather, each shade is made of sheep or goatskin and is then dyed and stretched over a solid iron frame, where it is hand-painted with a needle in brilliant colors, in the decorative tradition of Henna tattoo artistry. Dating back to the Bronze Age, Henna design mimics the Henna plant, which has a plethora of long, thin stalks and tiny blossoms. Much like the tattoos, the lamp designs showcase fluid black lines and shapes, outlined by tiny dots.

Moroccan lamps, varying in shape, size, color and mood offer the opportunity to turn your living room into a stunning art museum. The African Berbers were primarily an agricultural people, so the curved “Berber” floor lamp is painted with a classy, simple style in neutral colors. Tall, slender styles like “The Pharaoh’s Light”, “Red Sun” or “Orange Magical Arabian Nights” capture one’s imagination, while dazzling with dancing patterns, vibrant colors and swaths of vacuous space that instinctively pulls the eyes toward it in wonderment. End table lamps like “African Sun” or “Fez Sun” provide multifunctional use, emanating a soothing glow, while the glass top holds a piece of art, a plant or a tea set for entertaining guests. When you behold a piece like “Ocean Sun,” breathing moonlight into the room with its purple hues and oceanic design, you know that this lamp is not just for providing light, but is a piece of art that will compliment other furniture and themes in the room.

Moroccan lanterns made of stained glass resemble the sort of Church decor that pervades the Holy Land. The shapes range from a rounded hot air balloon design, to a diamond-shaped street lantern style and they can be hung from the ceiling or mounted on the wall. Traditionally, the stained glass panes are subtle, soothing colors – an olive green, a periwinkle blue or a hint of gold. Handmade and framed in black wrought iron, Moroccan lanterns can bring that one unforgettable, warm summer night into your home.

Moroccan lamps and Moroccan lanterns will add an air of magic to any room. When paired with Moroccan rugs, plants and other Moroccan furniture, these handmade Moroccan lights really put the finishing touches on a relaxing, unique escape.

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Adeal Benhayoun is the writer of Star of Morocco which specializes in Moroccan furniture. For all of your Moroccan lamps questions, call Adeal for the right answers.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Moroccan Lamps - What Is So Special About Moroccan Lamps?

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

You don’t have to be an expert lighting tech with a degree in Cinematography to properly light your home. Take a look around, taking into consideration where people typically sit and what they’re doing. Do you just use the living room for watching television? Do you entertain guests, sometimes eat dinner there or read books? You’ll want to provide enough light for the activities you like to do, but also accent particular pieces of furniture you may have spent a lot of money on or that simply catch the eye. That brings us to the archetypal question: Do you want a floor lamp or a hanging lamp?

Artistic, handmade Moroccan lamps come from the foothills of the mountains to your home in both the hanging and floor varieties. The possibilities are seemingly limitless, when you consider the added variance in color, shape and pattern as well.

The Moroccan floor lamps are ideal because unlike most designs, they project the light outward and upward. Most standing floor lamps have a shade and the light shines down to the floor, which is wasteful since you’re rarely sitting on the floor doing something.

These Moroccan floor lamps are made out of dyed goat skin stretched over an iron frame and hand-painted with henna. In ancient tradition, decorating and artistic expression was a form of “Barakah” – meaning “spiritual wisdom and blessing transmitted from God.” Artisans were careful not to disobey any of their religious laws, which prevent them from drawing human figures; so instead, you will find symbols, geometric shapes, plant-like designs and nature patterns. Traditionally, these designs were believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the beholder. The fish pattern, for instance, symbolizes water, fertility and prosperity. The lizard or salamander represents a seeker of the sun or the human soul seeking light. Most shapes found on your Moroccan floor lamps aim to protect, empower and command respect.

Moroccan hanging lamps (also called lanterns) are made out of stained glass and wrought iron or brass. Hanging lanterns can be a sign of upper class status in Morocco, as many lanterns were seen at the entranceway of palaces and mansions. In your home, hanging lamps are ideal for people with children (as they won’t be able to knock or tip these ones over!) and for lighting a dining area or foyer.

What says “Welcome” more than a giant glass chandelier? Chandeliers, while sometimes costly, are a symbol of elegance and status. Nothing takes one’s breath away more than a magnificent chandelier hanging in a lavish hotel or mansion bed-and-breakfast. For a more conservative and budget-friendly lamp, the Moroccan stained glass lamps are a beautiful addition to any home, whether you place them in your living room, bedroom or outdoor deck. Most of these lights are made multi-functional so you can use them indoors to bring a rustic charm to your dwelling or outdoor to light up a patio, front door or pool area.

Proper lighting is a big deal when it comes to human happiness. Whether you prefer hanging or floor lighting arrangements, there is a Moroccan lamp for you. Once you’ve assessed your home and determined where light is needed and why, you can select the appropriate color theme and begin feeling happier, more relaxed and emotionally satisfied.

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Adeal Benhayoun is the writer of Star of Morocco which imports Moroccan lamps. For all of your Moroccan decor questions, call Adeal for educated answers.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Moroccan Lanterns - The Hall of The Moroccan lanterns

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Your lover leaves too soon, walking away from the intimacy of your Mediterranean parlor and into the hall of Moroccan lanterns. The thrill is not gone, however, and the night is still young.

Slowly, without thinking, you follow into the corridor where you have wandered alone a thousand times before. But it has never looked quite like this. The hallway extends infinitely in both directions, lit only by the lanterns which glow quietly, brilliantly, to either side. Candles flutter shyly from behind countless lenses of stained glass, projecting delicate windows of red, turquoise, and gold onto the arched ceiling, across the tiled floor. The complex pastels of everyday life are reduced to their purest essences. Geometry. Light. Primary color.

With the passing of every lantern, you notice that each is unique, fashioned by human hands, one by one by one. Their existence seems impossible in the modern world. They are too uneconomical, too unique, too beautiful. You have always been led to believe that quantity beats quality, conformity is a virtue, and that routine is something to be achieved. But you were only deceived by the frosty hues of fluorescent lamps which were constructed by machines for machines. Now you shrug off that illusion. All the petty arguments, all the hidden resentments, all the unsolvable problems which have burdened your mind have vanished. You suddenly understand that life should be no more complicating than the still glow of a Moroccan lantern.

Then you are reminded of feelings so distant that you can not even be sure if they are from this lifetime. Simplicity. Romance. Adventure. Within each wrought-iron curve of the henna lamps, artisans have encoded epic poems of survival and triumph. Like Morocco itself, the lamps represent the sum of diverse cultures and religions-- European, Christian, African, Muslim-- each distinct yet absolutely integral to the design of the lanterns. They capture the souls of their creators, only to release them again in a kaleidoscopic display of color and light. This one, crafted by a Berber artist in Marrakesh, based on a design made popular by an Arab from Casablanca. These are no ordinary lamps, but the distillation of centuries of human experience.

You continue walking forward. Your lover is still a few paces ahead of you, unaware of your footsteps; indeed you are not even touching the floor. And the Moroccan lanterns light the way in captivating stillness and honesty.

Without fear, without hesitation, you reach out and touch a shoulder. The shoulder turns toward you. Delicate windows of red, turquoise, and gold dance across your lover's face. Through the colorful windows you glimpse a peaceful spirit, devoid of malice or duplicity. Looking down, you notice that the light has cast its spell on you as well, and you wonder which of your secrets the Moroccan lanterns have unmasked. But if there was ever a side that you kept hidden from the world, it no longer exists. You both find yourselves surrounded by an innocence that you thought was lost forever. Everything has changed, and you have fallen in love again. It is mystifying that light alone could cause this kind of transformation.

Around you, the lumieres bear silent witness to this moment. Your own story has been captured on stained glass. It will be told again and again in the enigmatic glow of the Moroccan lanterns.

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Adeal Benhayoun is the owner/webmaster of Star of Morocco which imports Moroccan lanterns. For all of your Moroccan decor needs, please contact Adeal for educated and intelligent information.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Mediterranean Decor And Mediterranean Furniture

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

This is your sanctuary. Vibrant blue walls, high ceilings, rounded archways, built-in shelves. Sun filters in through the tall windows during the day; the room comes to life with glowing reds, oranges and yellows from the Moroccan lamps by night. A comfortable white sofa with a sunset-colored throw sits atop a stunning, finely decorated, Turkish-inspired rug. Small, stocky palm trees sit in large hand-painted clay pots and a Cleopatra end table dazzles beholders.

You may have seen Moroccan and Mediterranean furniture on Home and Garden Television before. It’s no surprise that many luxurious Spanish-roof-tiled California homes are incorporating what is sometimes referred to as “Spanish Modern” décor inside their home spaces as well. With this unique style, you can bring the sense of wonderment you experience at museums into your everyday life.

So what is “Mediterranean style” exactly?

Mediterranean style encapsulates everything from behemoth Greek columns to humble, rounded Spanish adobes. So when designing a Mediterranean room, you can start with large, lavish furniture and redesign big – with rounded archways, textured stucco walls, wooden ceilings and mosaic mantel tops.

Or you can create a simpler design with white walls and wooden floors, using one or two pieces of Mediterranean furniture, throw rugs and lamps to add a nice accent to your room. Styles can be extremely formal – such as the “Cream Royal Chair” and “Arabian Nights Bench”, or they can be quaint and functional, like the “Sahara Red Chair” and “Marrakech Table.”

In ancient times, mosaic tiles were a symbol of status and higher taste, while many new conquerors (such as the Normans) used mosaic designs to further the legality of their rule. Often times, the intricate designs created by local artisans blended Eastern and Western tradition, or Christian and Islamic religiosity. Mosaic tiles could be found back through Ancient Macedonian palaces in Aegae, Hellenistic villa floors, Roman villa floors in Africa and in Moorish Spain art. In your home, the beautiful and historically rich mosaic tile can be incorporated on the living room floor, as a border, as a backdrop on the kitchen walls, on a mirror frame or a table top.

Colors are very important in Mediterranean furniture, often mimicking sky, sunset and oceanic tones. You’re likely to see designs patterning light and dark blue or light and dark red, coupled with a splash of terra cotta, olive green or gold.

Quality is very high with Mediterranean furniture because it’s all handmade and carefully constructed. In addition, larger pieces of Mediterranean furniture are characterized by long-lasting, heavy wood, sturdy black iron and short, thick legs.

There’s something inherently spiritual about designing a Mediterranean or Moroccan room. The word “Morocco,” derived from a Berber word “Marrakech”, means Land of God. If you gaze upon any of the old world churches in Spain, Turkey or Italy, you’ll see the same mosaic tiles, brilliant colors and ornate designs that our original, hand-crafted Mediterranean furniture features. Take that moment of serene pleasure once you’ve arranged everything and appreciate the historic beauty that these styles have brought into your home.

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Adeal Benhayoun is the webmaster of Star of Morocco, which is a Mediterranean furniture and Mediterranean decor online store.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

How Moroccan Sconces Coupled With Moroccan Lanps And Lanterns Can Add A Definite Spark To Your Lighting.

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Light isn’t just about seeing your way around the house. It’s vital in creating a positive atmosphere or a mood. Too much or too little light can be emotionally upsetting and downright depressing. Consider those rainy days or winter months where your body just does not get the light it needs to function at top performance.

Many people like Moroccan sconces because they direct the light upwards, so it’s not blinding them. Also, because it’s positioned on a wall, the kids aren’t knocking it over or creating a fire hazard. In fact, the very meaning of the word “sconce” comes from Latin and French derivation, meaning “that which is covered or protected.” In medieval times, sconces were candlestick holders that were used to light long castle corridors.

If you don’t have your own castle, there are still many spots where you can place a modern day sconce -- which is now powered like any other lamp, rather than by candle. The bathroom is a good place, above the mirror. No one wants harsh lighting in a bathroom, which magnifies every blemish and dark eye circle. Instead, you want a soft sultry glow that gives you a warm, youthful appearance.

Another good place for a Moroccan wall sconce is the hallway, but be aware that you will need a series of them, as they don’t give off that much light. It’s nice for those late night trips to the bathroom, where you want a welcoming glow.

Since many sconces have a rustic wrought iron look, designers often put sconces outside to give the appearance of a camping lantern or Middle Ages torch. Add some fire to your backyard birthday bash with a glowing red henna sconce or a sturdy lantern made of stained glass and wrought iron.

Perhaps the best use for a Moroccan sconce is to accent a particular object or for one specific task. For instance, a bedside sconce can provide just enough light to read that compelling novel you just picked up – or a sconce next to the kitchen sink will give you adequate lighting for washing dishes after dinner. You can also use a sconce to illuminate your favorite piece of artwork hanging on the wall, just like you see at museums!

What makes Moroccan sconces different than others? Well, first of all, these sconces aren’t made in some fast-paced factory. You can select the Moroccan henna sconces handmade by Berber goat herdsman -- or you can choose a stained glass design, which is just as authentic.

Stylistically, many of the Moroccan sconces come in a variety of shapes -- diamond, hexagons, circles, curvy, triangular. The North African Berber tribes believed in using symbolism and shape to ward off evil spirits and create a magical aura of protection in their homes. This magic is reflected in your very own wall sconce, while adding a little bit of art décor to catch the tasteful eye.

Also, you’ll notice that these sconces are stained and dyed in brilliant reds, yellows, blues, oranges and other vivid colors. To the Moroccans, color was a way of capturing a hint of individuality in an otherwise religiously muffled society. Whatever color scheme you have in your rooms, you will find the perfect Moroccan sconce accent to showcase your personality.

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Adeal Benhayoun imports Moroccan sconces and Moroccan lanterns pieces.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Mediterranean Decor And Furniture Ideas To Brighten Your Abode

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Mediterranean decor can bring that carefree, bright and windswept feeling of being on vacation in a beautiful, ocean-side resort back into your heart. The Mediterranean Basin merges Turkish, Italian, Spanish, Greek and Moroccan designs that could add a splash of refreshing boldness and happiness to your daily dwelling space, transforming it into a retreat chalk full of cultural tradition.

Why such vivid colors? The Mediterranean people believed that mix-and-matching, using vibrant colors was a way of showing individuality and ethnic pride in a world where rulers were always coming and going. Additionally, the bright-painted houses located on terraced cliffs also helped sailors recognize their particular homes from the sea, where they made their livings fishing.

In your living room, contemporary Mediterranean decor strives for simplicity, with bright white paint and furniture, relying on stylish accents – for example: the Fez lantern or the Cleopatra’s Star throw pillows. A popular choice for living room Mediterranean décor is texturized walls with Mediterranean setting artwork and sheer white curtains. You can also choose to install a “Moorish” ceiling made of ornate woodwork to give your room a unique, Church-like serenity, while the “Imperial Moroccan” door reveals additional medieval character in your living room space. Both the “Mediterranean Table” and the “Farah Table” offer contemporary designs. Large windows, tropical plants and an Alexandria vase can make a nice addition to your room. If the living room isn’t all that large, adding the Arabesque mirror can give the illusion of having more space.

In the kitchen, some decorators paint their walls with vivid sunset red, cobalt blue or egg yolk yellow. Others choose blue and gold mosaic tile for countertops, dining room tables and stove backdrops. In the window, terra cotta pots filled with spices and herbs or brilliantly reflective vases is a nice touch. You can throw brightly-colored dish sets into the mix for a kitchen with truly Mediterranean decor.

Most Mediterranean bathrooms have old-fashioned tubs or whirlpool tubs built into marble flooring. Bathrooms are another great place for functional mosaic wall, countertop, sink or floor tiles. For the very ornate, a Moorish wooden arch can be placed over the “canopy” style bathtub, with sconces and lamps providing the lighting for this breathtaking room.

Bedrooms can benefit from the beautiful headboards, armoires, mirrors and chests we have to offer. You’ll want to keep this room simple and basic, for the most part, to aid in nighttime relaxation. Choose one or two main items and keep the walls and bedspreads a neutral terra cotta, olive, pale blue or gold. Lamps are a nice way to add a subtle splash of artistic design, without overdoing it.

The backyard garden can benefit from Mediterranean decor as well. The King’s Fountain will be the centerpiece of your yard, providing the tranquil sounds of running water. Building a wooden archway and weaving white lights and a vine-growing plant like ivy is another stunning arrangement. Many of our tables – like “Sahara Sand” or “Emerald Nights” – were built out of sturdy materials to withstand outdoor elements.

The great thing about choosing a Mediterranean theme for your home, is that every room will end up looking different. At the end of the day, you don’t want your home to look crowded and cluttered with a circus of conflicting themes and patterns; you want something stylish, unique, relaxing and quintessentially “you.”

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Adeal Benhayoun is the owner of Star of Morocco, which specializes in retail and wholesale of Mediterranean decor and Mediterranean furniture pieces.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Moroccan Bedding – How to add a Moroccan Flair to your Moroccan Bedroom?

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Decorating a Moroccan bedroom can be a daunting task. How to start and how to finish? First you need to realize that decorating a bedroom is more than just picking a comfortable bed. It is true that we spend a third of our lives sleeping, but also it is imperative to think of the mind and how to make a bedroom relaxing and joyful.

First you need to pick your favorite colors. The Moroccan-style vibrant colors such as red, orange, or yellow can bring warmth and coziness to any room. Starting by painting your bedroom could be your first step, so that matching your Moroccan bedding items can be a little easier.

Moroccan-colored glass lanterns, with their glowing lights, are generally handmade and can definitely add a romantic touch to your bedroom. Don’t settle for any Moroccan lantern. Quality light matters. There exist two types of glass. The less expensive one is a sort of textured glass that comes in four main colors: pink, yellow, blue and green; however, this type does not perfectly reflect the glowing lights. On the other hand, the more expensive one is referred to as Iraqi glass, which is made of a flat-surfaced glass and can be found in virtually all colors. The latter beautifully displays the true exotic lights evocative of genies.

Decorating the floor of your bedroom should not be neglected, as it is an integral part of your decorating project. Handmade Moroccan rugs use natural dyes generally made of plants growing in the area, and with their intricate and colorful embroidered motifs, they can create an authentic Moroccan flair to not only your bedroom, but also to any room of your home.

Many are lost when trying to pick what type of Moroccan furniture pieces one should place in front of the bed. A Moorish bench or a Moroccan chest could be your solution. If you’re the type that enjoys reading in the bedroom and finding a more comfortable place than your own bed where to curl up with a good book, don’t worry because handmade Moroccan benches come in a plethora of styles. You can find several styles out there, from the hand-carved to the elaborately hand-painted. For a more festive ambience in your bedroom, a hand-painted bench could be your ideal choice. As for a cozier feel, a hand-carved bench in a natural wood color would blend in any Moroccan-type setting. Moroccan chests come in a variety of styles and shapes. If you are the type that usually put their shoes on in the bedroom, a table-shaped chest would be best, as it will be more comfortable than the dome-shaped style.

When it comes to decorating your bedroom, be bold, inventive and express yourself, as your bedroom is one of the most important corners in your home. There are several online Moroccan furniture and décor stores out there that offer relatively affordable bedding items that fit all tastes from the creative to the classical.

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Adeal Benhayoun is the owner of Star of Morocco, which focuses in Moroccan bedding and Moroccan design.
Please visit us, to learn more about Moroccan lamps items and how they can be used.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com