Interiors in Moroccan style. Moroccan-style apartment - an oriental tale in the house

"we talked about the features and main features of the so-called" general african style". Of great interest is the interior style, characteristic of one of the African countries. We are talking about Morocco. The Moroccan interior style is usually distinguished from the general African style. The interior style of Moroccan dwellings is bright and original, because two cultures are harmoniously intertwined in it: African and Arab.

In addition, the influence of Roman, Greek, Spanish, Muslim cultures affected. This mixture makes Moroccan interiors unusually colorful and attractive. compared with Arab beauties - sultry, alluring and mysterious.

Interior in Moroccan style: colors

AT Moroccan interior there are colors characteristic of the African style, that is, the colors of the nature of the black continent: the desert, the scorching sun, the shady jungle, the fires in the African night. These are sand, orange, terracotta, red (various warm shades red), brown, swamp green, etc.

However, in addition to this, in Moroccan interiors colors characteristic of the Arabic style are used: pink-orange, gold, scarlet, fuchsia, royal blue, dark purple, burgundy, etc.

Moroccan interiors were also influenced by Asia, so they have a lot white color. Sometimes white is present in the decoration of both walls and floors at the same time. Dark furniture and bright textiles on a white background create a contrast typical of African design.

Such a mixture underlies the polychrome (multicolor) characteristic of Moroccan interiors. Another one color feature interiors in Moroccan style- usage various shades blue (natural, associated with the color of the sky) for finishing floors, walls, ceilings.

Moroccan style in the interior: decoration

Floors. Most often in Moroccan interiors there are stone floors, which is due to climatic features. The stone is cold, but on hot days and sultry nights, the coolness of the floor increases the level of comfort.

If the coldness of the stone floor is scary, you can choose a tile or wood effect laminate. In Moroccan interiors, wooden floors are also not uncommon: basically it is a rough board and type-setting parquet (wooden modules different color laid out in a certain way to create a beautiful ornament). But when it comes to styling, it's fine. laminate .

However, the optimal solution for the floor in a Moroccan interior is still warm-colored porcelain tiles (brown, terracotta, beige). The size of the tile can be different: large, medium and very small (mosaic).

Additional decorative tiles and mosaics that create a floor pattern. The tile itself, laid on the floor, is most often not monophonic, but with an ornament.

There are carpets on the floor in the living room and bedrooms. You can, of course, lay a carpet with an ornament, but it’s better to lay stone or wood flooring and decorate it with a small Arabic style carpet.

Walls. In residential premises and halls, the walls are most often plastered. In Morocco, decorative textured is used for wall decoration, after which the walls become like marble. Plaster can be ordinary. Then the plastered walls are painted with colored or snow-white paint.

In wet rooms and front halls, the walls are trimmed with bright mosaics, which develop into moroccan ornament .

Bathroom element in a Moroccan-style home

Walls are being decorated in the foyer and living rooms ornamental painting in Moroccan style .

Wall decor in a Moroccan interior

Ceiling. Ceilings in Moroccan houses are very high. They are painted in one of the commonly used colors. By tradition, in common areas, the ceiling is made blue or blue - it symbolizes the sky. A border is formed between the wall and the ceiling - it can be a mosaic, painting or lace stucco.

In expensive Moroccan interiors ceilings can be wooden - carved or painted with Moroccan ornaments. The work is difficult and very expensive, but the result is amazing.

In poor houses, branches and rods (eucalyptus, oleander) were laid across the beams. They were often covered lime mortar, rarely left in its original form. Such ceilings are created in our time to bring ethnic features into the interior.

What else distinguishes the interior in the Moroccan style? Firstly, these are numerous niches in the walls. Candelabra with candles, as well as books, engravings and other decor items are installed in niches. Niches either arched, or lancet , although they may be rectangular.

Some of the niches can be closed with patterned forged gratings (you will get a kind of). However, metal grilles can become an independent wall decor in a Moroccan interior - just hang them on the wall.

Arched and lancet are other openings in the walls - window and door. The doors are patterned, decorated with carvings and.

Windows from the inside can be decorated with carved wooden shutters and wrought iron bars.

AT interior design in Moroccan the style of right angles should be a bit. A favorite shape is the one that resembles a keyhole.

materials, furniture

The furniture is predominantly wooden, decorated with carvings, inlays, gilding or covered with mother-of-pearl.

Wooden furniture is usually dark - it is distinguished by a rich dark brown or red-brown color. Less often there is light ivory furniture. Lancet shapes are typical not only for architecture, but also for furniture.

Moroccan interior unthinkable without patterned forging - these are tables, and banquettes, and benches, and much more.

Open living room in a real Moroccan courtyard

Sofas and armchairs are not too bulky. The upholstery can be different: plain neutral, plain bright or with an ornament. Sofas with plush upholstery will come in handy. Sofas are almost always full of pillows with embroidery and tassels. Pillow covers are plush or silk.

Moroccan motifs in the interior

It's hard to imagine Moroccan style living room interior without a lot soft seats: one or two large or several small sofas, armchairs, ottomans, couches, couches, etc. Leisure furniture (sofas, benches) can also be wooden, including lattice or carved, covered with soft mats.

Under the TV in the living room fit a long low pedestal. And instead traditional tables, pedestals, chests of drawers often put wooden chests with carving and painting.

Moroccan bedroom - this is an Arabic chillout, only instead of low beds it stands relatively high bed but not too wide. The head of the bed is often decorated with fabric draperies, and a “tent” is often erected over the bed itself.

The shape of the wooden headboard can also be lancet. Near the bed instead bedside tables you can put chests.

AT interiors in Moroccan style countertops low wooden tables and the lids of cabinets and chests of drawers are often decorated with colorful mosaics. By creating Moroccan interior in modern apartment , you can update old pieces of furniture by giving them African-Arab gloss . To do this, it is enough to update the furniture, covering it, if necessary, with stain and varnish with the effect of mother-of-pearl, replacing the fittings and lining the cover with mosaics. The end part of the tabletop or lid can be pasted over with leather or ornamented braid, decorating with tassels in the corners.

textiles, decor, accessories

Moroccan interiors differ in the use of a large amount of textiles. Lots of sofas and floor cushions, rollers. Walls and ceilings can also be draped to create the effect of an Arabian tent. in Moroccan interiors are luxurious - they always attract attention.

Carpets on floors and walls handmade.

Must be included in different types luminaires: ceiling, floor, wall, lancet and arched niches. Lamps are most often forged or on a copper frame, often with stained glass inserts. The Moroccan lamp is a small work of art and a luxurious decorative element.

Accessories and decor items for the Moroccan interior:

• Brass trays and jugs
• Hookah
• Ceramic vases with ornaments
• Expensive vases covered with leather, decorated with brass or gilding
• Painted boxes
• Interior plates and dishes made of wood and copper, which are hung on the walls
• Mirrors arched and lancet in wooden or copper frames.

Moroccan interior plates

Moroccan ornaments

This is how it is - the Moroccan style in the interior: fabulous, mysterious, attracting.

Moroccan style in the interior comes from the African country of Morocco. This way of housing design is interesting because it organically combines eastern and western traditions. When decorating a house or apartment, you should take into account some of the features that the Moroccan interior style has:

• Color solution . Suitable for this design natural colors Africa, repeated outlines of the desert, fiery sun, jungle. Therefore, you should focus on shades of red (mostly warm), as well as colors such as brown, swamp green, terracotta, orange and sand. Under influence Asian countries white color appeared in Morocco. Thanks to him, contrast appears. Blue color more used as a finish for floors, walls or ceilings.

• accents. To recreate this style, you need to remember to focus on the details. Tapestries, curtains, lamps, carpets, mirrors - all this complements the whole picture of the house.

• Architecture . Columns, arches and niches are an integral part of the image of Moroccan-style rooms. The arches repeat the shape of the domes of minarets and temples. These are broken and polygonal architectural elements.

• Furniture. Not typical for this style. a large number of furniture. Only the necessary elements are relevant.

Moroccan kitchen interior

The Moroccan-style kitchen is similar to other rooms. It's warm and bright interior. There are several guidelines to help recreate this exotic design:

1. Color spectrum - exceptionally warm and pleasant shades. Accents are best done in red or orange flowers. Without ornaments, the Moroccan style is also not possible.

1. Tile- This is a special element in the decoration and decoration of the room. With its ornaments, the Moroccan style in the kitchen gives brightness and originality. Tiles, mosaics - all this complements the overall picture of the Arabian night with unusual and unique patterns on the walls and on the floor.

1. Details and textiles . Curtains should be made of light, "flying" materials. You can choose chiffon or silk. They usually create various authentic patterns. It is recommended to decorate the floor with ornamental carpets. Trays, teapots are best purchased from copper. The walls are decorated with decorative plates. The dishes should be colorful, made of ceramics. Silver lamps and aroma candles would also be appropriate.

1. Furniture . Lancet doors and openings should complement kitchen set . Chairs and tables may have carvings and decor. It is customary to decorate upholstered furniture with metal parts.

Moroccan style in the interior of the bedroom

The Moroccan-style bedroom is a warm, yet very bright room. In general, the decoration of the room should contain the following elements:

• Accessories. Since the bedroom is a place to relax, it should be comfortable in it. In the room it is necessary to place a lot of different colors and materials. They can be placed both on the bed and on the floor. Forged parts will only complement the overall picture.

• Furniture . soft and a large bed- the central part of the room. A canopy can be placed above it. It is recommended to fill the room with comfortable poufs. They may be independent elements or built-in. Yes, it looks harmonious. couch on the wide window sill. Furniture in the Moroccan style is softness, convenience and comfort.

• Colors. You can fill the room as calm shades with a few bright details, or you can add juicy, “tasty” colors to the walls and ceiling.

A feature of this part of the house are lambrequins.. They can be hung above the sleeping place and the extreme part can be brought forward, which is not typical for Western interiors. There are many advantages to this decision. For example, lamps can be placed in the resulting plane between the window and the lambrequin.

On video: secrets of oriental style

The nuances of bathroom design

A Moroccan-style bathroom is the apogee of this type of interior. The peculiarity of the room is that it is all made of tiles. Basically, this is a mosaic that is laid out using traditional patterns and motifs.

With the help of tiles, you can decorate the bathroom itself, surfaces, walls, floors, ceilings and even a washbasin.. But thanks to the sophistication of the design, it will not look vulgar. Doors to the shower room are often made in the form of a temple dome. Niches in the walls are also made in the form of lancet vaults.

Often, the bathroom is separated from the rest of the space with the help of partitions that have arched openings, carvings and other decor.. In the Moroccan style, wardrobes with carved and openwork doors in the form of arches are also widely used.

Lamps play a significant role in creating a magical atmosphere. Thanks to openwork plafonds, a play of light and various drawings appear on the walls.

How to decorate a living room

A Moroccan-style living room is the simplest solution for decorating an apartment's interior. To create such a room, you just need to fill it upholstered furniture and large quantity decorative pillows. An obligatory detail is a low coffee table.

You can add to the atmosphere with:

• panel. This decorative detail will help expand the room and distort the space, which is very typical for this style. Such an element may well replace the wallpaper in the Moroccan style. There are many on the market, you can find worthy option at an affordable price.

• Two level ceiling . This solution will also be able to lengthen the height of the ceiling. It is better to place a panel inside the recess.

• low sofa . This is the main figure in the room. It should be filled soft pillows or armrests. These details should be bright and create contrast.

• Unusual accessory in the form of a fountain performed in vintage style from natural stone, although its artificial counterpart looks no less elegant.

You can also complement the image of the living room with patterned carpets, forged items, dark wood details.

Restraint and coloring repeats the Moroccan style of clothing - the same shades, natural fabrics, light textures and original ornaments. Details in it play the same role as in the interior - massive and bright accessories. The style of Morocco may not suit everyone. After all, this is a combination of colorfulness and elegance, which is difficult to repeat. But those who succeed can enjoy the exotic of the East and live in an Arabian fairy tale.

Moroccan style and living room interior (2 videos)

Unique interior in Moroccan style (49 photos)

Morocco is a country of mixed cultures and traditions into one unique and independent one. The influence on the Moroccan style in the interior was made by the traditions of the Berbers, Mauritanians, Phoenicians, Romans and Greeks, French, Spaniards and other European countries.

Today, the interior perfectly combines complex Moorish ornaments, European materials and furniture, and the rough style of nomads. Such a mixture of oriental harmony and the primitiveness of the Berbers creates a unique charm, a special flavor.

The Moroccan style in interior design, in addition to the architectural and spatial solution, emphasizes the contrast of blue-turquoise colors and terracotta colors (traditional colors of the natural pigments of the city of Marrakech), as well as the abundance of oriental interior decor elements: handmade carpets, brass jugs, water flasks, furniture in oriental style, metal perforated lamps from Morocco.

Characteristic features are the finest wooden carvings, stucco and mosaics made of ceramic tiles, an abundance of carpets and other original textiles. The main emphasis is the widespread use of African ornaments.
A large number of niches are used in rooms in which there are candles, books, engravings. Furniture is mainly made of thuja or Lebanese cedar with inlays and mother-of-pearl. Moroccan style in interior design emphasizes the abundance of handmade oriental carpets, a lot of pillows and cushions on sofas, as well as the presence of vases, hookahs, chests, brass jugs, lamps with stained glass inserts in oriental style, ceramic dishes, boxes with ornaments, an abundance of lamps with stained glass inserts

Color scale: white, red, blue and blue, green, terracotta.

France and Spain had a significant influence on the culture of Morocco during this period. France owned for the most part Morocco, and accordingly made the most significant contribution to the history of the state.
The first French governor, Marshal Louate, respected the cultural traditions of Morocco, he did not destroy and rebuild existing cities, but built new ones - of the French type. The French did not impose their architectural canons. They left intact the old quarters in the center. Noisy bazaars, narrow streets, city houses with closed patios- traditional Arabic "riads". In many houses designed by French architects, you can see Arabic ornaments - mosaics made of tiles, wood carvings, friezes with complex stucco, wooden ceilings. A true masterpiece of architecture - the villa was built by the artist Jacques Majorelle, in the 20s of the last century. After his death, the estate was acquired by Pierre Berger and Yves Saint Laurent. After a long restoration, the house was revived, successfully combining orientalism and modernism.

French architects have previously been involved in building design for various purposes in present-day Morocco.

In Casablanca, one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world, the Hassan II Mosque, stands on the ocean. It is the westernmost and second largest mosque in the world after Mecca. Its architect - the Frenchman Michel Pinsault - was not even a Muslim.

So, what is a long intersection, mutual influence and interpenetration different cultures could not but affect the development of culture in the country, and as a result, the formation of the Moroccan style. Morocco is a synthesis of the incompatible, international, modern and unchanging - going back centuries.
Moroccan style can be conditionally divided into two areas: Berber and Spanish-Moorish (Andalusian).

Berber - simple and concise, a little rough in execution. It is strikingly different from the lush Spanish-Moorish. For thousands of years, Berber art has been preserved in its original, primitive form, where utilitarian tasks are the main ones. And no civilization, even the dominant - Muslim culture could not have a noticeable impact on him.

Today, the Moroccan style is relevant all over the world, it can be found in the homes of famous people in Europe, America or Australia. He firmly holds the leading position, is easily recognizable and is becoming very popular with us.

Moroccan style features

The Moroccan style in the interior involves covering the tiled floors with colored camel wool carpets. Most often, patterns mosaic tiles, carpets and carved furniture panels have geometric ornaments: six-pointed stars, flower heads formed from geometric shapes. These ancient ornaments still flaunt on walls, floors, stairs and fireplaces today.
Wooden cabinets and tables are rich brown or red, or ivory. Cabinet doors are carved and painted with Arabic ornaments.

A characteristic feature of interior decoration in the Moroccan style is the decoration with dishes made by Berber women using the most primitive technologies. Vases, cups and plates are made without potter's wheel. They are molded by hand, dried on scorching sun or by the fire, after which they are polished with a stone. Such dishes are placed in the niches of the walls, hung on the walls, and large vases are placed on the floor. To create more expensive vases, they are covered with leather, decorated with bone and brass. To decorate the walls, carved wooden and chased copper plates and dishes are made, which are darkened along the edges, giving the effect of antiquity.
Moroccan style in the interior, thanks to the combination of several cultures, allows the imagination of designers and decorators to roam. Most often, the traditions of ancient peoples are mixed with a modern European interior. As a result, another “Moroccan” style is created, in which ancient traditions and the bold artistic intention of the author are harmoniously intertwined.

Walls and ceiling.
As a rule, this warm color walls, it is possible to use traditional Moroccan plaster"TADELAKT". Thanks to her, the walls look like marble. Tadelakt is a glossy mineral plaster for water-resistant surfaces, for interior decoration according to traditional Moroccan technology from a mixture of sand, quicklime and earth pigments. Berbers in Morocco work with very simple yet effective tools. The most important of these is stone, and the longer it is used, the smoother and more valuable this coating becomes.
Decorating technique - painted wall surfaces in contrast with a carved frieze on the upper part of the wall or with a decorative carved insert is very relevant in this style. Moreover, the tone and color solution can be both related and contrasting. For example - white walls and a white frieze, or blue walls and a white decorative frieze.

Floors.
On the floors, the Moroccans use the same “ZELLIJE” technique as on the walls. Also relevant in this style are terracotta tiles and stone floors, their use is caused by climatic necessity. But if there is a great desire to revet the floor ceramic tiles in residential areas, it is better to use “warm floors”.

Textiles and accessories. A special theme in the Moroccan interior is ARTISANAT (from French - handicrafts). Moreover, products can be of different quality and for different classes, as for ordinary people as well as for princes and kings. enjoys great popularity carved furniture, furniture - hand-painted. Carved chests and mirror frames inlaid with mother-of-pearl, wood, camel bone or cupronickel. Chasing lanterns with colored glass; camel skin lamps metal frame. Carpets - made in a wide variety of weaving techniques; ceramics; leather puffs and more.
Textile is one of the main components of the Moroccan style. Excessive layering of tissues embroidered pillows and carpets should create an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

And of course, for spice (if the architecture of the building, premises allows) add a fountain and window shutters made of dark carved wood or wrought iron bars to the interior.

Moroccan style is one of the most exotic mixtures of several cultural layers - Moorish, Arabic, Berber. And European. The Romans, the Spaniards, the British - they all left traces of their culture here, but the influence of the French turned out to be the strongest. It is thanks to French architects and designers that the very concept of Moroccan style exists today. However, this is by no means expressed in the imposition of European architectural canons, it is an organic synthesis of European and North African elements.

Moroccan style offers an unexpected variety of designs, from the naive to the sophisticated. The use of this style will be equally appropriate in a luxurious mansion and a simple dwelling. The main requirement when creating an interior in this style should be improvisation and bold use of the possibilities of the material.

If you want to create coziness and bring refined exoticism into the interiors of your home (and not only) try Moroccan style and you will not be disappointed.

The Moroccan style is characterized by a peculiar interweaving of Arabic, Mediterranean and African motifs. If you are passionate about the aesthetics of the East, collect oriental items and souvenirs, then you can safely bring Moroccan style motifs to the interior of your home.

Due to its geographical location and eventful history, Moroccan culture is distinctive and international. The Arabic style is fundamental here. The historical quarters and palaces of Tangier and Marrakesh are prime examples of this style.

The architectural concept of the Moroccan style fully adheres to the Arab traditions. Private house in the Moroccan style, it is a polyhedron with stucco facades ranging from pink-beige tones to the pure white of the interior.

high ceilings, narrow windows, adjoining one side to the wall of stairs without railings. The bathrooms have a domed ceiling, walls tiled to the middle with small tiles, decorated with geometric ornaments. Required element the bathroom has a small square pool.

To design a city apartment in the Moroccan style, stick to the color scheme of the interior in warm colors (ocher, terracotta, sand), in combination with emerald green, azure blue, and purple. Add contrasting colors (purple, red).

With a sufficient height of the ceilings, arrange them wooden beams with painted ornaments. Ceilings can be finished in the same way as walls. Plaster the walls in beige and sand tones, Alternative option- drywall for painting. window frames can be completed with black metal or wooden arches. Doorways and doors are wooden, paneled, predominantly black in contrast with red and white.

Doorways can be shaped wooden lattice. The Moroccan-style floor is traditionally stone or ceramic. However, wooden floors made of dark woods, or covered with a solid color are acceptable. dark linoleum. Illuminated niches replace shelves and cabinets. Complete the interior with Mediterranean plants planted in large ceramic pots.

Emphasizing the Moroccan style in your apartment, decorate the walls in the hallway in blue or red tones, the ceiling in beige.

Decorate a small bedroom in the form of a tent. Hang a red fabric with a golden oriental pattern along all the walls on the eaves under the ceiling. Place on the ceiling flat lamp. Cover the floors with oriental carpets with decorative pillows and poufs. Instead of a bed, install a low wooden podium with a mattress. Complete the interior of the bedroom with a carved wooden chest of drawers.

Light up your living room modern furniture. Carpet on the floor, decorative pillows, Wall lights, chased dishes on coasters will bring Moroccan style to this room.

And your home will become bright, cozy, rich, filled with light and beauty.

A separate topic is the Moroccan-style bathroom, it exudes luxury and bliss. In such a bathroom, you want to bask all the time, everything in it is beautiful, exquisite ornaments in characteristic style, romantic lighting, even a Moroccan-style sink will be a constant pleasure.

A house with a Moroccan-style interior and a bathroom will become not just a home, but your personal or family paradise.

It arose during the era of colonial conquests. It is a mixture of European and North African traditions.

General characteristics of the Moroccan style

Morocco is a country of mixed cultures and traditions into one unique and independent one. The influence on the Moroccan style in the interior was made by the traditions of the Berbers, Mauritanians, Phoenicians, Romans and Greeks, French, Spaniards and other European countries..

Today, the interior perfectly combines complex Moorish ornaments, European materials and furniture, and the rough style of nomads. Such a mixture of oriental harmony and the primitiveness of the Berbers creates a unique charm, a special flavor.

The Moroccan style in interior design, in addition to the architectural and spatial solution, emphasizes the contrast of blue-turquoise colors and terracotta colors (traditional colors of the natural pigments of the city of Marrakesh), as well as the abundance of oriental interior decor elements: handmade carpets, brass jugs, water flasks, furniture in oriental style, metal perforated lamps from Morocco.

Characteristic features are the finest wooden carvings, stucco and mosaics made of ceramic tiles, an abundance of carpets and other original textiles. The main emphasis is the widespread use of African ornaments.

A large number of niches are used in rooms in which there are candles, books, engravings. Furniture is mainly made of thuja or Lebanese cedar with inlays and mother-of-pearl. Moroccan style in interior design emphasizes the abundance of handmade oriental carpets, a lot of pillows and cushions on sofas, as well as the presence of: vases, hookahs, chests, brass jugs, lamps with stained glass inserts in oriental style, ceramic dishes, ornamental boxes, an abundance of lamps with stained glass inserts

Color scale: white, red, blue and blue, green, terracotta.

History of Moroccan style

Morocco is a country located in northwestern Africa. It is separated from Europe by 14 km. Strait of Gibraltar. This country is unique and original, starting from climatic features and ending with cultural heritage. Moroccans say that you can visit four seasons in one day in Morocco. In the morning - swim in Atlantic Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea, during the day - go skiing in the mountains of the Upper Atlas, and in the evening - be in the Sahara. In order to understand where, what came from in this style, we need to go back a bit to history.

The history of the region that makes up modern Morocco is formed by the relationship between the indigenous population - the Berbers and various peoples who successfully invaded the country. For the first time, the Berbers are mentioned in the history of Africa as robbers who subjugated all trade routes across the Sahara, and the first of the strangers were the Phoenicians, who founded trading cities on the Mediterranean coast (XII century BC). Later, their colonies were captured and expanded by the Carthaginians. In the II century. AD The Roman Empire conquered Carthage, which led to Roman domination of the Mediterranean coast of Africa. A period of relative peace has begun. The Berbers settled in the cities on the coast and in the III century. AD adopted Christianity.

Byzantine rule was ended by the Arabs who invaded Morocco in 682, spreading the power of Islam. Which significantly influenced the life of the Maghrebians. Islam was an ideological and organizational link to ensure the caravan route from India to the Mediterranean countries, along the Red Sea coast. He united the tribes and erased the differences between them. Based on the creation of a common cultural space Islam and artistic traditions different peoples enriched each other, and some national genres and storylines, for example, poetic, acquired a common Muslim meaning. Having absorbed the culture of the Persians, Syrians, Jews, and other peoples who inhabited the conquered lands, the Arab-Muslim culture became one.

At that time, Morocco became the center of an empire that encompassed modern Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and most of the territories of modern Spain and Portugal.

The collapse of the empire began in the 13th century. after the invasion of the Spaniards, and by the middle of the century, unrest swept the country and civil wars between Berbers and Arabs.

The revival of Morocco began in the 16th-17th centuries. and is considered a golden age for the country, mainly due to the development of trade, crafts, manufacturing and shipping, which favorably affected the development of art and architecture. At this time, the warring regions of the country began to unite.

The period of expansion on the coast of Morocco begins with the invasion of the Spaniards and the Portuguese in the port of Ceuta in 1415.

North Africa, the closest part of the continent to Europe, attracted the attention of the colonial powers - France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain. As a result, at the end of the XIX century. the region is under colonial rule.

European companies and settlers occupy the most fertile lands, establish control over banks, as well as over most industrial and large commercial enterprises. Foreigners extract minerals, build railways and highways, develop communications and expand ports; build schools and lyceums, spreading European knowledge. At that time, the bulk of the population were peasants, and attempts to free themselves from the influence of European states were ineffective, and besides, African states were financially dependent on Europe. And yet, in the 1950s and 1960s, the North African states gained independence.

France and Spain had a significant influence on the culture of Morocco during this period. France owned most of Morocco, and accordingly made the most significant contribution to the history of the state.

The first French governor, Marshal Louate, respected the cultural traditions of Morocco, he did not destroy and rebuild existing cities, but built new ones - of the French type. The French did not impose their architectural canons. They left intact the old quarters in the center. Noisy bazaars, narrow streets, city houses with enclosed courtyards have survived - traditional Arab "riads". In many houses designed by French architects, you can see Arabic ornaments - mosaics made of tiles, wood carvings, friezes with complex stucco, wooden ceilings. A true masterpiece of architecture - the villa was built by the artist Jacques Majorelle, in the 20s of the last century. After his death, the estate was acquired by Pierre Berger and Yves Saint Laurent. After a long restoration, the house was revived, successfully combining orientalism and modernism.

French architects have previously participated in the design of buildings for various purposes on the territory of modern Morocco.

In Casablanca, one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world, the Hassan II Mosque, stands on the ocean. It is the westernmost and second largest mosque in the world after Mecca. Its architect - the Frenchman Michel Pinsault - was not even a Muslim.

Impressionist artists, in particular, Henri Matisse, made a significant contribution to the popularization of the Moroccan style.

So, what such a long intersection, mutual influence and interpenetration of different cultures could not but affect the development of culture in the country, and as a result, the formation of the Moroccan style. Morocco is a synthesis of the incompatible, international, modern and unchanging - going back centuries.

Moroccan style can be conditionally divided into two areas: Berber and Spanish-Moorish (Andalusian).

Berber - simple and concise, a little rough in execution. It is strikingly different from the lush Spanish-Moorish. For thousands of years, Berber art has been preserved in its original, primitive form, where utilitarian tasks are the main ones. And no civilization, even the dominant - Muslim culture could not have a noticeable impact on him.

Today, the Moroccan style is relevant all over the world, it can be found in the homes of famous people in Europe, America or Australia. He firmly holds the leading position, is easily recognizable and is becoming very popular in Russia.

Moroccan style features

Interior design in Moroccan style is bright, but it cannot be said that it is colorful. Muted calm tones are used - white walls, dark woodwork, black forged or dark wooden furniture, terracotta carpets. Against the background of such muted tones, mother-of-pearl, amber and brass inlays, small tile mosaics look great.

The Moroccan style in the interior involves covering the tiled floors with colored camel wool carpets. Most often, the patterns of mosaic tiles, carpets and carved furniture panels have geometric ornaments: six-pointed stars, flower heads formed from geometric shapes. These ancient ornaments still flaunt on walls, floors, stairs and fireplaces today.

Wooden cabinets and tables are rich brown or red, or ivory. Cabinet doors are carved and painted with Arabic ornaments.

An abundance of pillows on sofas, armchairs and pouffes, covered with covers or decorated with fabric with African patterns or colored woolen tassels in the corners. A more expensive pleasure is the upholstery of sofas with camel skin.

A characteristic feature of interior decoration in the Moroccan style is the decoration with dishes made by Berber women using the most primitive technologies. Vases, cups and plates are made without a potter's wheel. They are molded by hand, dried in the scorching sun or by the fire, and then polished with a stone. Such dishes are placed in the niches of the walls, hung on the walls, and large vases are placed on the floor. To create more expensive vases, they are covered with leather, decorated with bone and brass. To decorate the walls, carved wooden and chased copper plates and dishes are made, which are darkened along the edges, giving the effect of antiquity.

Moroccan style in the interior, thanks to the combination of several cultures, allows the imagination of designers and decorators to roam. Most often, the traditions of ancient peoples are mixed with a modern European interior. As a result, another “Moroccan” style is created, in which ancient traditions and the bold artistic intention of the author are harmoniously intertwined.

In such houses, carpets woven according to design sketches with Berber ornaments cover low and wide sofas in an oriental style, on which there are many bright pillows, colors that are not typical of traditional Moroccan interiors, for example, rich red. And the Constructivist Corbusier armchair coexists peacefully with a wrought iron Tangier lamp placed on the floor in the form of a vase.

In the mansions of European celebrities in Tangier, bright mosaics covering the walls of the bathroom, colored stained glass doors, Japanese fabrics against the backdrop of rich turquoise or lavender walls side by side with characteristic Moroccan star-shaped wrought-iron lamps, forged furniture and woven carpets. And geometric ornaments, fashionable in Morocco since the 13th century, decorating ceramics and wood, are combined with comfortable European furniture and modern elements environment.

Walls and ceiling. As a rule, this is a warm color of the walls, it is possible to use traditional Moroccan plaster “TADELAKT”. Thanks to her, the walls look like marble. Tadelakt is a glossy mineral plaster for water-resistant surfaces, for interior decoration according to traditional Moroccan technology from a mixture of sand, quicklime and earth pigments. Berbers in Morocco work with very simple yet effective tools. The most important of these is stone, and the longer it is used, the smoother and more valuable this coating becomes.

Decorating technique - painted wall surfaces in contrast with a carved frieze on the upper part of the wall or with a decorative carved insert is very relevant in this style. Moreover, the tone and color solution can be both related and contrasting. For example - white walls and a white frieze, or blue walls and a white decorative frieze.

Floors. On the floors, the Moroccans use the same “ZELLIJE” technique as on the walls. Also relevant in this style are terracotta tiles and stone floors, their use is caused by climatic necessity. In our climate, you can replace the tile with linoleum. But if there is a great desire to tile the floor with ceramic tiles in residential premises, I recommend using “warm floors”.

Textiles and accessories. A special theme in the Moroccan interior is ARTISANAT (from French - handicrafts). Moreover, products can be of different quality and for different classes, both for ordinary people and for princes and kings. Carved furniture, hand-painted furniture is very popular. Carved chests and mirror frames inlaid with mother-of-pearl, wood, camel bone or cupronickel. Chasing lanterns with colored glass; lamps made of camel skin on a metal frame. Carpets - made in a wide variety of weaving techniques; ceramics; leather puffs and more.

Textile is one of the main components of the Moroccan style. The abundant layering of fabrics, embroidered cushions and rugs should create an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

And of course, for spice (if the architecture of the building, premises allows) add a fountain and window shutters made of dark carved wood or wrought iron bars to the interior.

Conclusion

Moroccan style is one of the most exotic mixtures of several cultural layers - Moorish, Arabic, Berber. And European. The Romans, the Spaniards, the British - they all left traces of their culture here, but the influence of the French turned out to be the strongest. It is thanks to French architects and designers that the very concept of Moroccan style exists today. However, this is by no means expressed in the imposition of European architectural canons, it is an organic synthesis of European and North African elements.

Moroccan style offers an unexpected variety of designs, from the naive to the sophisticated. The use of this style will be equally appropriate in a luxurious mansion and a simple dwelling. The main requirement when creating an interior in this style should be improvisation and bold use of the possibilities of the material.

If you want to create coziness and bring refined exoticism into the interiors of your home (and not only) try Moroccan style and you will not be disappointed. And to be sure of your choice - let's analyze in detail the components for creating this style and immerse ourselves in the heady atmosphere of this North African country.