What do you think?
Rate this book
Marrakesh by Design: Decorating With All the Colors, Patterns, and Magic of Morocco
Moroccan design, from the tiled floors to the colored walls, sculpted ceilings, embroidered fabrics, Berber tents, fountains, gardens, and more
In a world filled with beige interiors, Morocco is the perfect antidote: a refuge for addicts of saturated color, a haven for devotees of intricate pattern, a destination for admirers of striking architecture. For anyone who wants to add Morocco's spicy design mix into their own home, Maryam Montague, the personality behind the award-winning blog My Marrakesh , explains how to do so with the building blocks of Moroccan design―from the colors, patterns, and textiles to the archways, fountains, gardens, and so much more. With illustrative text and gorgeous photographs, Maryam shows how Moroccan design comes to life in real villas and riads and in her own magnificent home and guesthouse. Eager DIYers will love the ideas presented in sidebars and in how-to projects that can be applied to homes anywhere. Filled with all the richness of Morocco, Marrakesh by Design will transport readers straight to the souks and salons of this exotic city while showing them the multitude of ways to live with the enticing elements of Moroccan design.
In a world filled with beige interiors, Morocco is the perfect antidote: a refuge for addicts of saturated color, a haven for devotees of intricate pattern, a destination for admirers of striking architecture. For anyone who wants to add Morocco's spicy design mix into their own home, Maryam Montague, the personality behind the award-winning blog My Marrakesh , explains how to do so with the building blocks of Moroccan design―from the colors, patterns, and textiles to the archways, fountains, gardens, and so much more. With illustrative text and gorgeous photographs, Maryam shows how Moroccan design comes to life in real villas and riads and in her own magnificent home and guesthouse. Eager DIYers will love the ideas presented in sidebars and in how-to projects that can be applied to homes anywhere. Filled with all the richness of Morocco, Marrakesh by Design will transport readers straight to the souks and salons of this exotic city while showing them the multitude of ways to live with the enticing elements of Moroccan design.
250 pages, Hardcover
First published May 8, 2012
1 person is currently reading
104 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 1, 2022
This is a beautiful book. Clearly well-researched and very respectful of the culture and country of Morocco. The author has loved to Morocco as an adult and her husband is an architect, so that also added depth to her writing. The photos were beautiful, I felt like I was visiting! Everything was explained in great detail, from how the rooms were laid out to how the textiles are died. A very thorough reference book.
Read
April 20, 2021Interesting book!
Marrakesh is one of the oldest cities in Morocco and, at the same time, the one that receives the most visitors connected to modernity. Due to its alleys, squares and mosques, the richness of Islamic culture is remarkable, which translates, not only in the explicit manifestations of faith, but in the colors, sounds and aromas.
I would like to recommend this article, about this amazing city:
https://marcozero.blog.br/marrakesh-o...
Marrakesh is one of the oldest cities in Morocco and, at the same time, the one that receives the most visitors connected to modernity. Due to its alleys, squares and mosques, the richness of Islamic culture is remarkable, which translates, not only in the explicit manifestations of faith, but in the colors, sounds and aromas.
I would like to recommend this article, about this amazing city:
https://marcozero.blog.br/marrakesh-o...
March 16, 2018
More a browse than a read, I really enjoyed the colors and the inner courtyard. I’d love to have something private like this, yet completely sundrenched.
Read
March 23, 2017A very good book about Morrocan design. Its a source of inspiration for any individual and professional designers. #AfricanDesign
June 30, 2013
Marrakesh by Design is a perfect pearl of a book; brilliant on the surface but also containing many layers of effort and experience accumulated over the years. The aim is to bring the beauties of the Moroccan decorative arts to an American audience so that they can be infused into American design in new and creative ways. The book includes a number of stunning examples from Marrakesh's chic expatriate community, whose riads and villas meld Moroccan tradition and modern flair.
As befits someone who has lived in Morocco many years, Maryam Montague is fluent in the vocabulary of Moroccan artisanry, whether it is the intricacies of plaster gep or the beauties of zellij mosaics or the merits of organic versus chemical dyes. Montague displays sensitivity toward the integrity of autochthonous art forms, knowledge about the importation of Persian and Arabic influences, and a talent for applying her knowledge to contemporary decor. Indeed, one of the unexpected pleasures of this book is its practical guides for do-it-yourself design projects and its catalog of merchants who deal in Moroccan decor.
In short, this is a book for the practical aesthete in search of a way to incorporate the elegance of Moroccan design into a Western setting. It is not a detailed treatise on Moroccan artisanship, nor is it a scholarly history of the Moroccan aesthetic. But for those who aspire to have a little bit of the glamor of cosmopolitan Marrakesh rub off on their own homes, Marrakesh by Design should be a welcome addition to their library.
As befits someone who has lived in Morocco many years, Maryam Montague is fluent in the vocabulary of Moroccan artisanry, whether it is the intricacies of plaster gep or the beauties of zellij mosaics or the merits of organic versus chemical dyes. Montague displays sensitivity toward the integrity of autochthonous art forms, knowledge about the importation of Persian and Arabic influences, and a talent for applying her knowledge to contemporary decor. Indeed, one of the unexpected pleasures of this book is its practical guides for do-it-yourself design projects and its catalog of merchants who deal in Moroccan decor.
In short, this is a book for the practical aesthete in search of a way to incorporate the elegance of Moroccan design into a Western setting. It is not a detailed treatise on Moroccan artisanship, nor is it a scholarly history of the Moroccan aesthetic. But for those who aspire to have a little bit of the glamor of cosmopolitan Marrakesh rub off on their own homes, Marrakesh by Design should be a welcome addition to their library.
June 15, 2012
It’s not often that I read an interior design book cover to cover, but I did with this one. Marrakesh by Design was written by Maryam Montague, creator of the beautiful blog My Marrakesh.
There is a certain flair to Moroccan design, which has multiple influences, most notably Islamic and Arabian. This blend is featured in the book’s captivating photographs of real homes in Morocco. The author, who took most of the photos herself, showcases a wide range of living spaces—from simple to bohemian, from grand to humble, and from traditional to contemporary.
Going way beyond adding a pouf or lantern to your living room, this book is divided into three parts: 1. "Discovering Moroccan Style” which explores the architecture, colors, finishes and patterns of the country. 2. “Living Moroccan Style” which provides examples of how to incorporate this style into specific living spaces. 3. "Sourcing Moroccan Style" which offers shopping tips and lists of sources for gathering the goods.
The information is surprisingly detailed and practical. Throughout the book are “Bring it Home” sidebars with hands-on projects. These are interspersed with cultural information about Morocco.
Marrakesh by Design is for anyone who adores all things Moroccan or Arabian. Even if you are more of a daydreamer than a decorator, the photos alone are worth this book’s place on your coffee table.
For my full book review of this book, see: http://arabiczeal.com/book-review-mar...
There is a certain flair to Moroccan design, which has multiple influences, most notably Islamic and Arabian. This blend is featured in the book’s captivating photographs of real homes in Morocco. The author, who took most of the photos herself, showcases a wide range of living spaces—from simple to bohemian, from grand to humble, and from traditional to contemporary.
Going way beyond adding a pouf or lantern to your living room, this book is divided into three parts: 1. "Discovering Moroccan Style” which explores the architecture, colors, finishes and patterns of the country. 2. “Living Moroccan Style” which provides examples of how to incorporate this style into specific living spaces. 3. "Sourcing Moroccan Style" which offers shopping tips and lists of sources for gathering the goods.
The information is surprisingly detailed and practical. Throughout the book are “Bring it Home” sidebars with hands-on projects. These are interspersed with cultural information about Morocco.
Marrakesh by Design is for anyone who adores all things Moroccan or Arabian. Even if you are more of a daydreamer than a decorator, the photos alone are worth this book’s place on your coffee table.
For my full book review of this book, see: http://arabiczeal.com/book-review-mar...
July 24, 2016
Unlike many decorating books that demand a steep bank account and boundless time to spend overhauling your home or apartment, this one focuses instead on the principles of Moroccan decorating: Color, Patterns, Details, and Magic. It includes really wonderful spotlights on common motifs, architectural designs, and patterns and their cultural roots in Morocco, which is one of those countries that is a melting pot of cultural influences (Muslim, African, Spanish, etc).
I loved looking through this book and thinking of ways to consider new color combinations and bold patterns for my own home, and I loved learning about the history and culture that imbue these design decisions with meaning in the Moroccan culture. This book is more of an exploration of what makes the Marrakesh aesthetic unique than it is a proscriptive guide to style, is what made it really successful for me. This approach means that the principles laid out here are easily transferrable to any home / space. I don't have a huge budget, but many of the sources are relatively affordable. And even if you only have the means to switch out slipcovers once in awhile, being able to think about combinations through the Marrakesh lens is refreshing and easy to apply.
Highly recommended, but not for the faint of heart when it comes to color!
I loved looking through this book and thinking of ways to consider new color combinations and bold patterns for my own home, and I loved learning about the history and culture that imbue these design decisions with meaning in the Moroccan culture. This book is more of an exploration of what makes the Marrakesh aesthetic unique than it is a proscriptive guide to style, is what made it really successful for me. This approach means that the principles laid out here are easily transferrable to any home / space. I don't have a huge budget, but many of the sources are relatively affordable. And even if you only have the means to switch out slipcovers once in awhile, being able to think about combinations through the Marrakesh lens is refreshing and easy to apply.
Highly recommended, but not for the faint of heart when it comes to color!
December 16, 2015
Moroccan interiors - it almost can’t get more fascinating! The colours, the patterns, the exotic shapes, the textures, the textiles, the vibes …! But how to put everything together such that your own Moroccan space doesn’t look tacky, over-the-top, or too busy? In “Marrakesh by design" Maryam Montagues (MyMarrakesh.com) shares her knowledge and the magic of Moroccan interior design with you. She thoroughly explains what Moroccan style actually is and looks at many examples of living areas, bedrooms, kitchens, baths, transitional and outdoor living spaces for illustration and inspiration. All of this is accompanied by an abundance of gorgeous (and, of course, colourful) pictures. I love her explanations of why Moroccan patterns are mostly limited to certain established styles (geometric or floral/foliage patterns only), what it takes to make Zellij (mosaic tiles), what a banquette consists of, how to produce Geps (decorative details made of gyps), what architectural features are typically found in a Moroccan house and why, and so much more. In sum, this is not just a simple coffee table book that you flip through and forget: this is an interesting and well-written introduction to Moroccan interior design packed with lots of practical tips of how to make it your own.
March 28, 2013
I didn't realize how much I love Moroccan inspired design until I flipped through this book. It is full of eye candy and inspiration. Not a great book if you want DIY tutorials although there are a few. It's a beautiful book and has fueled my love of Moroccan design even further.
March 11, 2016
I wanted to like this one. I really did. I am intrigued by Marrakesh and Maryam is a blogger turned published author - which I always love. But, this one just didn't do it for me. Instead of eye candy, the images felt clashy and chaotic. And the writing left much to be desired.
April 11, 2016
I really enjoyed looking through this book. Great use of colors, patterns shapes and textiles. Lots of eye candy!
October 29, 2016
Didn't know how much I get inspired by Moroccan design till I soaked in every page! Liked learning the origins of Moroccan trades/crafts. So glad Montague includes resources.
Want to read
October 18, 2012i think this helpfull for me
June 29, 2013
Great pics, skipped the text entirely. It's totally for rich socialites.
November 24, 2013
Loved it. Soooo beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews