The Allure of Morocco

Back home in Atlanta, Webb created an environment that captures the magic of Marrakech by using products from Atlanta shops and showrooms. Rug, Sullivan Fine Rugs. Souk tables and Tangiers pendant by Currey & Company. Upholstered pouf, Bee. Pillows, Gramercy Fine Linens & Furnishings. Photographed on location in the courtyard of Summerour Architects.

The tea service includes fresh mint from the garden.

The bowl is from Scout for the Home.

The glasses and tray are from Scout for the Home. The pierced lantern is by Currey & Company.

The tea pot is from designer Beth Webb’s personal collection; it belonged to her grandmother. Pomegranate salt and pepper shakers, Scout for the Home.

Figs and dates are arranged on a platter from Scout for the Home.

Rosemary flourishes in the courtyard. Currey & Company’s Souk table features intricate detailing.

David Austin roses rest atop an assortment of Moroccan tiles from Ann Sacks and Renaissance Tile & Bath.

The Atlas Mountains.

Rugs in Marrakech

Riding camels in the Sahara.

In Egypt, architect Keith Summerour sketches at Hatshepsut Temple near Luxor.

The Atlantans, with friends, at Mena House near the Great Pyramids.

Susan Ferrier examines pierced metal lanterns.

Suzanne Kasler explores local textiles

Barbara Westbrook on a sightseeing excursion.

William Harrison at Jardin Majorelle.

Beth Webb at Royal Mansour.

Intricate architectural detailing.

Last April, a group of Atlanta designers and architects traveled to northern Africa for an annual conference that’s held for professionals within the design community. The Atlanta contingent—of which there were about a dozen—joined other members of the Design Leadership Network from across the United States for this year’s event, which was held in Marrakech, Morocco.

As a precursor to the event in Marrakech, Marmi Natural Stone, one of the sponsors, escorted a handful of Atlantans on a trip through Egypt. In addition to touring the company’s facilities in Cairo and some of its marble quarries, the group crisscrossed the area over the course of five days—from the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Karnak to the Great Pyramids.

At the official Design Leadership Summit in Marrakech, members participated in four days of design-related lectures, seminars and networking events, along with architectural tours, sightseeing and guided shopping tours of the souks within the city’s medina. Social events included cocktails at Jardin Marjorelle (the former home of Yves Saint Laurent), a grand nighttime feast in the desert and intimate dinners in private riads. Optional excursions included a trip to Fez or a visit to the Atlas Mountains, where a traditional Moroccan tea ritual in a local casbah inspired our story back in Atlanta.

A Moroccan tea service, which often begins with the washing of hands in orange blossom water, is one of the highest gestures of hospitality. “Green tea is steeped with mint and sugar, and its preparation in uniquely shaped pots and glasses has been elevated to an art form,” says Atlanta designer Beth Webb, one of the travelers on this excursion and the creator of our Moroccan-inspired environment.

“I love the blend of African and French cultures there. In America, Moroccan design has been around us all along. In the past it was more subconscious—a plethora of color and geometric patterns—but there’s certainly more of an awareness of it now simply because we live in a global economy, and Marrakech is such an international city.”

READING LIST Food from Morocco by Paula Wolfert (Ecco Publishing, $45). PLAYLIST Moroccan Flavours album by various artists ($8.99; amazon.com). SHOPPING LIST ZamouriSpices.com for tagines, Moroccan copperware, spices and more. INSPIRATION “My Marrakesh”  blog by Maryam Montague (MoroccanMaryam.typepad.com)