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Moroccan style interiors

The Moroccan style can be conveniently divided into two trends: Berber and Hispano-Mauritanian (Andalusian). Berber - simple and laconic, somewhat course in execution. It differs strikingly from the spectacular Hispano-Mauritanian style. Over the course of a millennium Berber art has retained its originality - a primitive look based on utilitarian goals. No civilization, not even that of the dominant Islamic culture, could render a noticeable impact upon it. The Moroccan style assumes an unexpected diversity of designs: from the naive to the refined. Use of this style is equally well-suited for a luxury mansion as it is for a simple residence. The main requirements for creating an interior in this style are improvisation and the bold usage of the materials' potential.

Colour scheme - a combination of warm tones of ochre, terra cotta, sandy yellow, white with contrasting cobalt blue, ultramarine and emerald green. To accentuate features - red or purple. The main idea being to create a vibrant array of colour. It is a harmonious interaction of living shades - providing energy and giving interior an impulsive character. As a rule, walls and ceilings are of a warm shade, and perhaps make use of the traditional Moroccan Tadelact plaster. Thanks to this, walls take on a similar appearance to that of marble. Tadelact is a glossy mineral plaster for water-resistant surfaces and interior decoration work using traditional Moroccan techniques. It contains a mixture of sand, quicklime and earthy pigments. Berbers in Morocco work with very simple but, nevertheless, effective tools. The most important of which is a stone, which becomes smoother and more valuable the longer it is used.

Decorator's technique - painted surfaces of walls in contrast with fretted borders on the upper sections of the walls or with decorative carvings work very effective in this style. In addition, tonal and colour schemes can be similar or contrasting. For instance, white walls with white borders or blue walls with white decorative borders. Moroccans actively use a type of small glazed tile called Zellije on the lower sections of walls. This many-coloured tile is 3x3cm and is used in geometric mosaics with the most unusual and intricate patterns. Historically, these tiles were used on: fireplaces, fountains, swimming-pools, floors, staircases and even table tops. In Morocco you can come across a plethora of temples whose interior makes active use of this tiling technique. With modern interiors it is possible to "dilute" the small tiles with ones of a larger size.

On floors Moroccans employ all the same Zellije techniques as they do on walls. Terra cotta tiles and stone floors are also popular in this style, the preference for which may be down to climatic necessity. For our colder climate it is possible to replace the tiles with linoleum. But, if you have a strong desire to tile the floor with ceramic tiles in a residence I would recommend the use of under-floor heating.

A special subject in Moroccan interior is Artisanat (from the French - handicraft items). These items may be of varying quality and for different social classes - for ordinary people, as well as for princes and kings. Carved furniture is extremely popular and is painted by hand. There are chests and mirror frames inlayed with mother-of-pearl, wood, camel bone or German silver. There are lampshades made from coins with coloured beads or from camel skin on wire frames. There are carpets made using the most diverse array of weaving techniques, ceramics, leather pouffes, and much more. Textiles are one of the main elements of the Moroccan style. Rich layers of fabric, embroidered customs and carpets help to create an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

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