As we are on a promise for a sizzling summer, the current passion for Moroccan influences in interior design seems to fit the bill perfectly.
Modern Moroccan isn’t all about big brass lanterns that look out of place once you bring them home, it’s much more muted and pared down.
The contemporary look still draws on a multitude of influences including Moorish, Berber, French and Spanish, but in a softer way that translates more readily to our climate.
I recently visited Marrakech for the first time, and stayed in a riad that fulfilled every expectation. No wonder I loved Dar Charkia (+212 524 37 64 77/www.darcharkia.com) as it is owned by an interior designer called Lisa, who once ran her own business in Notting Hill.
It’s situated in the heart of the Medina and provides a haven after the unremitting bustle of Marrakech.
Inside, contemporary and traditional has been mixed with great aplomb.
Traditional craftspeople have made many of the furnishings - the throws and rugs have been woven by Berber people in the nearby Atlas mountains, while baskets have been handcrafted by the women in the souk, and the pierced metal lamps were made in a workshop close to the riad.
Simple whitewashed walls sport bursts of colour such as cerise and violet, while bright fabrics add a vibrant touch.
In fact, the place illustrates how it’s possible to introduce selected elements of any style into an interior, without going overboard into kitsch.
Moorish styling tends to be very ornate, and oodles of this looks great in its natural environment, but when uprooted to cooler climates it can look a bit ostentatious.
The trick is to use it sparingly. Intricately carved screens as room separators, for instance, or a pair or lamps against a simple backdrop, look chic- just remember the less is more maxim.
Similarly the traditional yellows and deep blues beloved of Moroccans look glorious when drenched in intense sunlight.
But the key consideration when choosing colours is that the light is different here, so work out how your chosen tones will look in darkest December as well as on a bright and breezy day in May.
The modern Moorish look makes good use of reds and pinks, colours that exude warmth on a cold day, but look heady and sultry in hot weather.
Luxuriant fabrics are a good way of introducing a touch of the exotic - choose deep seductive tones such as warm gold, red, aubergine, plum and bronze.
Osborne and Little (www.osborneandlittle.com) has some suitably rich colours in its Nina Campbell and Lorca ranges.
The latest Moroccan tiles are being produced in a luscious range of cool colours that won’t look out of place in the UK.
Being handmade they come in differing sizes and shapes, which adds to the overall ambience. I’m definitely not a fan of uniformity as I think it creates a bland and homogenous effect.
The polished plaster traditionally used in baths or hammams can be a bit dark and gloomy, which is fine if you want a rest from dazzling sunlight. However, the new mode of plaster also comes in a range of gentle colours that would work well in our bathrooms and kitchens at home.
If you are wondering where to source funky Moroccan wares, then look up www.maroque.co.uk.
This site is full of items that shout ‘buy me’.
Yvonne Jones is a Royal College of Art trained designer, and is the owner of Chameleon Interiors. Tel: 029 2037 1277. www.chameleoninteriors.co.uk
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