Color is a fundamental element in Moroccan design. The country’s varied geography informs its use of hues ranging from soothing blues and greens to earthy tones like terracotta and ochre.
Craftspeople in Morocco create pieces with influences drawn from Berber, Islamic, and Moorish styles. Wood carving is one artform often practiced by traditional artisans and boasting of their talent is something commonplace here.
Color
Color is an integral element in Moroccan design that draws upon its rich cultural history. A home decorated in Moroccan style may feature warm terracotta hues with desert-inspired beiges or vibrant blues and earthy greens for maximum effect.
From vibrant ceramic dishes and plates, to intricate zellige tilework with its mesmerizing patterns of tessellation patterns, Moroccan culture is evident everywhere you turn. Henri Matisse found inspiration for many works of art while visiting Tangier and Chefchaouan twice during his artistic career.
Red is widely interpreted to represent strength and passion in Moroccan culture, and can be found throughout decorative details and fabrics. A deep blue known as Majorelle blue (named for artist Jacques Majorelle who designed Marrakech’s botanical garden) is frequently employed to create an eye-catching atmosphere in Moroccan decor.
Patterns
Moroccan design features an exquisite combination of colors and textures that create visually striking interiors. Bold geometric patterns and intricate embroidery add depth and dimension to any room.
Morocco’s natural beauty plays an essential part in its color palette. The blues found in the ocean and sky can be found reflected in intricate tile work found within Moroccan mosques; and earth tones from deep emerald to vibrant green symbolize nature and hope.
Red is an iconic hue in Moroccan design, symbolizing both strength and passion. Additionally, this hue can be found within traditional writing systems such as Tifinagh Alphabet.
Texture
Moroccan-inspired fabrics often showcase intricate patterns and vivid hues to bring depth to a room. Moroccan medinas (old cities) or intricate tile work in mosques and palaces feature this same array of rich blues, deep greens, fiery reds, and sandy beige hues to reflect Morocco’s rich natural beauty.
Moroccan design draws heavily upon cultural influences from Europe, Africa and Arabia, incorporating hues and symbolism from each into contemporary designs for an eclectic aesthetic that balances tradition with modernity. You can easily incorporate Moroccan elements into modern spaces ranging from clay tangines, leather pouffes to sequined babouches into contemporary interior designs to add some Moroccan flare into your home with just the right accessories and accent pieces.
Materials
Accessory pieces like Moroccan lanterns or henna lamps are an easy way to bring color and texture from this style into your home. Look for lamps with intricate designs featuring wrought iron detailing for maximum Moroccan charm.
Henna lamps come in an assortment of colors, shapes and sizes and can be added anywhere to give any space an exotic feel. Additionally, these lamps offer the perfect way to introduce Moroccan style without overdoing it.
Jewelry is an integral part of Moroccan culture and serves a dual purpose – as both functional and symbolic pieces. Replicating symbols like the Amazigh flag’s red pomegranate background with filigree work makes jewelry both beautiful and meaningful.
Accessories
Moroccan homes often include decorative accents like brass or copper trays, ceramic pottery and intricately designed mirrors as decorative accessories to give their interiors an exotic vibe and tie together the various styles of Moroccan decor. These items help add an exotic atmosphere while providing a cohesive theme across various rooms in the home.
Moroccan design takes great pride in reflecting its distinctive cultural identity with color palettes that draw upon cool blues and greens reminiscent of Morocco’s seaside scenery, while earthier tones like rust and sienna represent Amazigh peoples who inhabit Morocco.
Blue holds special meaning in Moroccan culture. It is thought to protect against malevolence caused by evil eyes – an integral component of Berber identity. Leather workers create exquisite babouches and saddles in Morocco’s tanneries using practical needs as well as aesthetic desires in mind; similarly talented craftspeople craft wooden latticework that graces windows throughout medinas with stunning mashrabiya latticework designs that adorn so many windows and medinas alike.
