Where do I begin. It’s been a month already since I got back from my trip to Morocco and Paris. It still feels like a dream! Everyday I wake up with so much gratitude for the experience and am trying to hold onto the ease and comfort of life while traveling. This trip definitely changed the way I see the world.

I haven’t done a ton of international travel in my 41 years. I’ve been to Greece, Turkey, Mexico and Hawaii. Not only was going all the way to Marrakech, Morocco very surreal after surviving a few years of a pandemic but it was quite honestly so much easier than I had imagined. As we were about to embark, my fellow travelers kept saying “Trip of a lifetime. Trip of a lifetime.” And they weren’t kidding. For our Global Founder’s Retreat with Élanoura we had a jam-packed schedule of art, design, volunteering, relaxing, retreating, pool time, amazing dinners, from the moment we landed to the moment we left.

THE ARTISAN’S CRAFT

As soon as we landed at the Marrakesh Airport (RAK), we were immediately wowed by the lace-like ornamented exterior. It is just an intro to the insanely detailed and precise handiwork we were to witness throughout the city. The souk — famed for shopping souvenirs and tchotchke — is not just a maze of vendors’ booths; as our guide informed us, it is also where artisans of all crafts are located and do their work. Metal crafters, tile workers, woodcarvers, plaster carving — they do it all by hand, tradecraft handed down generation to generation. We were mesmerized by the skill shown off by the craftsmen (traditionally only men). You cannot escape it; it is at the beating heart of this lively city.

So much of design here in the U.S. lately has been simplified, minimalized, and mass-produced that it made me appreciate even more the value of real-life craftsmanship. Here in the Bay Area and in Wine Country, we are so fortunate to have multiple local vendors and contractors we can call upon at any time to create a handcrafted piece of furniture, art piece or building detail. The souk in Marrakech renewed my love of partnering with fellow creatives to craft beautiful, unique, special solutions.

THE ZELLIGE TILE TREND

The airport also boasted a popular decor trend here, yet no doubt common in Morocco — the zellige tile trend. Unless you’ve been sleeping under a rock, you are aware of the zellige tile work that is in every designers project for the past few years now. Perhaps you didn’t know what it was called or the origins of it. Yes it’s trendy and amazing and beautiful and I know why! But did you where it really came from?

Spelled : Zellīj (Arabic: الزليج)

The word "zillīj" (زليج). Zellige means “little polished stone” in Arabic The tile first appeared sometime in the 10th century.

Zellige is a style of mosaic tilework made from individually hand-chiseled tile pieces set into a plaster base. The pieces were typically of different colors and fitted together to form elaborate Islamic geometric motifs, such as radiating star patterns. Our first taste of this was on day 1 when we went to Dar El Bacha on our way to the souks. This tile work design is one of the main characteristics of Moroccan architecture.

The process of making zellige is complicated and requires a large working force that has to be experienced, patient, and precise in order to follow the foundation of rules that is transmitted through the generations. Today in the U.S. we are using the most basic style for bathroom showers, kitchen backsplashes. Of course we love it in neutral and clean white, but would be thrilled if a client wanted to go for a colorful, ornate pattern!

THE ROSE CITY

The other inescapable visual element that stood out to me was the COLOR of Marrakech. Located at the base of the Atlas mountains, Marrakech is also known as the “Red City, or the Rose City” because of the most incredible color of salmon pink that can be found everywhere! This is due to the fact that the buildings are made out of the simplest materials: red earth, otherwise known as Tabia — a mix of red mud and water. In fact, it is a building requirement in the Medina (center) of Marrakech that every building be a shade of this color. This is because cities in Morocco each have a signature color — think about it, Casablanca being the “white city,” and Chefchaouen being the famed “blue city.” Every corner you turn you discover winding pathways of color, delight, and wonder.

Marrakech is the Jewel of Morocco and I was truly captivated the color. The arches, tile work, carvings, and color really took my breath away. But even more so, the spirit and the outlook of its people are still grand and festive. This city takes you on a journey, takes you back in time as you scout through the alleys, guided by the red and ochre walls. This city is one of romance, mysticism, and royalty.

Marrakech left me with a rose-colored view of the world and the realities of our life.