Interiors: Peacock Pavilions on Elle Decor

Peacock Pavilions [Morocco]

[Image credit: Peacock Pavilions Guest Bedroom – Simon Upton/Elle Decor]

Maryam Montague is probably best known as My Marrakech, the inspirational blog she established documenting her life in Marrakech, Morocco running the boutique hotel, also her home Peacock Pavilions; which she designed, built and decorated from scratch with her architect husband Chris Redecke. You can take a peek into Peacocks Pavilions as the home is featured in the April issue of Elle Decor, which celebrates beautifully, decorated homes from around the world as part of their international issue.

Peacock Pavilions is bursting with pattern and texture, filled with objects drawn from the couple’s travels and the various places they have lived. Having fallen in love with the culture and weather of Morocco, the country offered the lifestyle the couple sought as a place to put down roots for their family and a place to finally house their extensive collection of global treasures. The couple chose a working farm with views of mountains and surrounded by olive trees, but to purchase the property local council requirements stipulated that an investment benefiting the local community also had to be made and was the reason for the property evolving from a home into a boutique eco-hotel.  

[Image credit: Peacock Pavilions – Simon Upton/Elle Decor]

Although it took a few weeks to design, permits, finding builders, and completing construction took almost four years. Spread over two storey’s Peacock Pavilions is based on the traditional Moroccan Casbah architecture with a central great room and features numerous Moroccan style arches, high ceilings and polished concrete floors. The complex also features a pool, two guesthouses and the couple’s home furnishing shop, Red Thread Souk. The complex was mostly built with sustainable materials and 2009 saw the couple move in and start on the interior. On her popular blog started just before the property was purchased Maryam talks about her design style and approach, buying things that she loves and mixing with abandon. 

[Image credit: Feature Doors – Simon Upton /Elle Decor]

Vintage Berber rugs help break up the space of the great room creating smaller, more intimate seating areas. Chris designed some of the furniture seen, upholstered with Moroccan and Malian textiles. Chairs are adorned with beads from Ghana, a peacock mirror from India graces a wall. Masks and statues from various African countries can be seen dotted around the living spaces. Star lanterns commissioned from the souk line the hallway. The guest bedroom, above is my favourite, the blue and the rich pattern detailing it looks so regal. Upholstered with Moroccan carpet fragments, the walnut dining room chairs and table were designed and built by Chris. The library is a colourful space filled with a comfy couch covered with a Suzani fabric on which rests appliqué cushions from Guatemala, and the coffee tables are made from old Moroccan traffic signs.

[Image credit: Peacock Pavilions Pool – Simon Upton /Elle Decor]

If visiting Marrakech and looking for a luxuriously relaxing and inspirational getaway, guest accommodation comes in the form of the two-bedroom Atlas Pavilion which has, as the name suggests, views of the majestic Atlas mountains, and each room has its own fireplace, bathroom and a private terrace; and the Medina Pavilion which has three bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a dining room. Evenings bring memorable feasts in the dining tent, and the romance of an open-air cinema complete with surround sound, deckchair seating and a fire pit for those cooler evenings. Peacocks Pavilions has become something of a creative retreat, a factor that was intentional from its conception, as Maryam and Chris wanted to attract ‘creative spirits’: artists, designers, jewellery, photographers, filmmakers, poets, and writers who would come and draw inspiration amidst the tranquil surroundings; and the hotel has already seeing artists pass through its doors,  occasionally leaving their stamp in the form of wall murals and hand-stencilled floors and ceilings. Several retreats have been lined up for 2012/2013 and if you fancy hosting your own retreat contact Maryam for further information. 

…unique little touches here and there add character and are a reflection of a life well-travelled

Additional Details:
For the full article visit: www.elledecor.com
For further information about Maryam Montague visit: http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com

Peacock Pavilion rates vary according to the season and start at: €150-€1,250    
For further information about Peacock Pavilions and booking enquires visit: http://peacockpavilions.com