Inspired by a 'short but vivid' trip to Morocco, Anais Nin muses in her diary about interior decoration ideas for her Paris apartment. Her vision includes 'turquoise and coral colors', sandblasted wood, cream leather, and a beni ourain tribe carpet.
‘No money from New York, although much is owed to me. There is shopping to do for the new apartment on the Quai dePassy, which I want to be modern. A psychic need for new surroundings I found a clock made of seashells, a white wool rug from Morocco.'
Diary Of Anais Nin Volume 2 1934-1939 {pg.82}
One of Anais Nin's most beloved decorative objects was a movable Moroccan fireplace facade.
She mentions this turquoise zillij tile fireplace several times in her diaries. {when she moved, her moroccan mosiac moved too...in high gypsy style} 'A leaping, joyous fire glowed in the fireplace which I had found at the Arts Decoratifs, and was made of Moroccan mosaics in a rich design of blues with a few touches of gold. Allendy admired it like something exotic. The reflections of the fire played upon it,on the peach colored walls, on the dark wood, on the wine bottles from Spain'
The Diary of Anais Nin Volume 1 1931-1934 {pg.174}
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Anais writes about her experience of the Moroccan mint tea ritual after going to the hammam... roses petals are thrown around her feet while she lounges on Moroccan pillows drinking mint tea: 'It made me passionate, just to sit there on pillows with music, the birds, the fountains, the infinite beauty of the mosaic designs, the teakettle singing… Tea served on copper trays with a samovar kettle. Glasses have colored tops. On another tray a big silver box with big rough pieces of rock sugar. Trays with Perfume bottles. Trays with almond cakes coverd by a silk handkerchief or copper painted lids...
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LINKS:
Moroccan tea-glass sets @ Open Sky {curated by Emily Henderson}
Zemmour pillows & hammam bowls @ Travel & Leisure Global Bazaar Store on L-Atitude
Marrakesh Design inspiration boards @ Pinterest
Images:
1. coral walls
3. Zillij Tile fireplace designed by Bill Willis for Yves Saint Laurent's Marrakesh residence
Love her writing! It inspired me to paint all the walls and ceilings of my first condo warm yet also vibrant colors. Wish I still lived there but tenants love it.
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