How to Get the Midcentury Moroccan Look Design Trend-Setters are Coveting
It’s Modernism Week in Palm Springs, a time capsule of California-past. Modernism Week is a time for celebrating the architecture that made this place a Midcentury haven and raise funds to preserve this historical landscape.
This year, the featured home tour was that of a Midcentury Moroccan themed estate that had everybody talking! It is the perfect combination of styles (Mid-century Modern, Hollywood Regency, California Cool, Bohemian) that design trend-setters and taste-makers alike can’t shake. This is Modernism Week’s first Showcase Home by Thomboy Properties. This is a one of a kind custom-built home from 1975 by architect Hal Lacy recently renovated to modern luxury.
10 Tips to Get the Mid Century Moroccan Look in Your Home
Even if you’re not planning on buying a mid-century fixer upper in Palm Springs to entirely transform, you can still get the Mid-century Moroccan look yourself with a few accessory upgrades and design projects. Read on because we’re breaking down the 3 main ingredients in the Mid Century Moroccan style: Glamour, Modernism, and, of course, Moroccan Accents.
The Glamorous Elements:
1. Edgy Color Palette
For this modern moroccan feel, you’re going to want to select a palette that isn’t as earthy as you might ordinarily see in a midcentury home. Jonathan Adler and Christopher Kennedy’s work are both great references for palette. They both do a great job incorporating unexpected colors into midcentury designs to glam them up. But even if you don’t want to go for as loud a palette, think more along the lines of magenta and matte black (rather than rust and brown as you so often see in these dated, desert properties). This is going to give your home a modern, edgier look. Doesn’t this dining room make you want to experiment with a bright, bold color palette?
2. Lighting for Entertaining
One of the reasons so many design fans are converting this look right now is not just because it is aesthetically pleasing, but because it’s all about crafting the perfect space for entertaining. One of the best ways to achieve that functionality is to be sure it’s lit correctly: light in layers and emphasize height with glam, statement lighting, in the typical mid-century fashion.
3. Sparkle & Shine!
True glamour is subtle and lies in the details. Table legs and kitchen details should emphasize shine with some gold accents or like this glamorous bed! And don’t be afraid to mix metals for a layered, designer touch! And rather than leather and tweeds, op’t for suedes and velvets. Rock n’ Roll, baby!
The Midcentury Desert Elements:
4. Desert Vibes
No desert home is complete without some landscaping that plays with scale. Usually we recommend low-maintenance succulents, especially in the desert, but if you truly want to achieve the Mid-century Moroccan aesthetic, go for a mix of larger palms as well!
Watch how I made over my own Midcentury Ranch Style Home:
5. Lounge Furniture
There is a reason midcentury furnishings are integrated into so many homes in Southern California. There is an inherent lounginess to them that fits in perfectly with a California-cool, indoor-outdoor home and the desert is no exception.
6. Large Scale Art
The large scale art in this home draws you through the space, gallery style and helps define the space as a funky, poppy environment.
A Taste of Morocco
7. Moroccan Accessories
This is where you’re going to showcase pattern and geometry and bring in the Moroccan style. An easy way to do this is through patterned throw pillows and blankets and stylish divider screens.
9. Rugs
When you think of Moroccan design, what comes to mind first? Probably the gorgeous rugs!
10. Indoor Outdoor Style
We’d be remiss if we didn’t revisit the point of indoor-outdoor style: One of the beautiful things about this Estella property is it’s large windows that let natural sunlight pour in. Working with what is outside first, and letting that dictate your design choices can help edit your home and keep it fresh and modern.
