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Monday, May 21, 2012

CULTURE

Meet Moroccan Maryam: Humanitarian, Hotelier, Style Ambassador

Maryam Montague has a job title that could fill both sides of a business card—and then some. The human rights and democracy specialist is also a journalist, photographer, hotelier, shopkeeper, mother of two and soon-to-be author. (Her first coffee table book on Moroccan interior design is due out Spring 2012 from Artisan Publishing.) Her work for a Washington, DC-based international development consulting firm has taken her to over 40 countries, where she’s trained women candidates to run for office, advised parliamentary committees, even run a prisoner rights program. But it wasn’t until she was reassigned to Morocco out of the blue in 2002, that she and her architect husband traded in their nomadic lifestyle for a nine-acre olive grove located just outside Marrakech.


Maryam Montague

Peacock Pavilions at Sunset

Now, in addition to their regular work, the two multitaskers manage Peacock Pavilions, a boutique hotel they run out of their home, and have a shop, Red Thread Souk, where they sell local wares, like leather poufs and Beni Ourain carpets, to customers worldwide. Montague documents all her adventures—including her continued humanitarian work in Mali and Egypt—on her award-winning blog, Moroccan Maryam. We recently caught up with the Montague to chat about her love affair with Moroccan style (it's something we at The Inside Source have in common with her!) and how she unwinds after a long week’s work (ahem, she scrolls through eBay).

 

Maryam Montague at her home in Peacock Pavilions.The Inside Source: How did you end up in Morocco?

Maryam Montague: I was living and working in Namibia on assignment when my office in Washington DC called and told me they wanted to send me on a posting to Morocco. I had never been and neither had my husband. But we’re adventurers and risk-takers. We moved sight unseen.

left: Maryam Montague at her home in Peacock Pavilions.


The Inside Source: After living and traveling to so many different countries, what was it about Marrakech that made you want to put down roots?

Maryam Montague: Marrakech is unlike any city I’ve ever known. It’s populated with a large number of artists, designers, writers, photographers and filmmakers. The old city and its souks are extensive and bursting with beautiful things to look at, touch and buy. The cuisine is fragrant and delicious. And I can’t help but love that my two children are growing up speaking not only English, but also French and Arabic.

 

The Inside Source: Which came first: Peacock Pavilions or Red Thread Souk?

Maryam Montague: Once we made our great leap to live in Marrakech more permanently, we began looking for the perfect piece of land. When we found our olive grove with 200-year-old trees on 8-plus acres, we knew it was the place for us. As I was decorating, I was finding oodles of beautiful carpets and textiles. Red Thread Souk emerged as a way to share with my friends.

Maryam Montague

The Medina Pavilion at Peacock Pavilions

The Inside Source: What was your decorating philosophy for Peacock Pavilions?

Maryam Montague: I never shop for spaces. Rather, I fall in love with things and then find a place for them. Each of the rooms at Peacock Pavilions is decorated individually, and my intention was for the whole place to feel not like a hotel, but more like the house of your stylish, if somewhat eccentric friend.

Maryam Montague

The Golden Gazelles room at Peacock Pavilions

Maryam Montague

The Sufi Scribe Room at Peacock Pavilions

The Inside Source: Moroccan décor in three words…

Maryam Montague: Color. Pattern. Intrigue.


The Inside Source: Did most of the décor come from the local markets?

Maryam Montague: I’ve been shopping at souks and bazaars all my life. I was born in Egypt, and my Mom is from Iran. So this kind of shopping experience is second nature to me. I love the bustling nature of the souks, where products are packed haphazardly from floor-to-ceiling and your senses are on overdrive—far, far from the sanitized experience of shopping in the U.S.

 

The Inside Source: Any bartering tricks you care to share?

Maryam Montague: Decide how much the item means to you, name your price, and smile—then walk out the door. If the seller wants to sell it, he’ll come after you!

 

The Inside Source:  We hear you’re a fan of eBay?

Maryam Montague: Oh, I love shopping on eBay. I find trawling a great way to unwind. There’s so much amazing stuff. I’ve bought everything from antique silk saris and old Santos (wooden saint sculptures) to a 1960’s low-slung leather couch and a desk chair I attached wheels to myself (see photo). I find that no matter what I want, if I’m patient, it usually shows up on eBay—often sooner rather than later.

Maryam Montague

A chair Montague won on eBay.

The Inside Source: Do any of your bartering tricks for the markets come in handy on eBay?

Maryam Montague: I use Auctionsniper [a service that automates the process of placing your bid at the auction closing]! (Sneaky me.)

Montague scoured eBay for her favorite Moroccan (and Moroccan-inspired) finds. Here, the covetable results.

Roll over items for details
Set of Two Marrakech Wrapping Paper Sheets
(buy it now price, $1.40)
Eco-friendly Moroccan Print Shower Curtain
(buy it now price, $12.99)
Moroccan Ceramic Tile
(buy it now price, $4.95)
Moroccan Hand-Painted Wedding Table
(buy it now price, $75)
Misto Moroccan Dinnerware Setting
(buy it now price, $43.99)
White Ceramic Garden Stool
(buy it now price, $249)
Porcelain Moroccan Table Lamp
(buy it now price, $428)
Six-Piece Towel Set
(buy it now price, $39.99)
Meet Moroccan Maryam: Humanitarian, Hotelier, Style Ambassador

1. Set of Two Marrakech Wrapping Paper Sheets : “I would use this gorgeous Moroccan-inspired paper to wrap small presents.”

2. Moroccan Mosaic Mother of Pearl Side Table: “These mother of pearl inlaid tables add glamour and mystery—and work even in small spaces.”

3. Eco-friendly Moroccan Print Shower Curtain: “This shower curtain is the perfect combination of modern and [traditional] Moroccan. So fresh!”

4. Porcelain Moroccan Table Lamp: “These Moroccan-inspired lamps are fantastic! They would look great on a console in an entryway.”

5. Moroccan Ceramic Tile: “I used Moroccan tiles liberally at Peacock Pavilions. Buy a few of these lovelies and use them as trivets.”

6. Six-Piece Towel Set: “These patterned towels would be just right in an all white bathroom.”

7.  Misto Moroccan Dinnerware Setting: “Fun for setting the table with Moroccan color!”

8. Set of Eight Moroccan Tile Notecards: “These Moroccan tile notecards are adorable and so zippy. I would leave notes for friends and my husband for no reason, if I had them!”

9. White Ceramic Garden Stool: “I’m crazy about these Moroccan ceramic garden stools! I would use two of them as coffee tables in an apartment.”

10. Moroccan Hand-Painted Wedding Table: “This sort of table is very low, and a great companion to floor cushions.”

(images courtesy of Maryam Montague)

 

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eaf09ba6-62c3-43b4-ae9e-2e198fa90996 Thu, 6 Oct 2011 14:47:33 PDT Thu, 6 Oct 2011 14:47:33 PDT
Andi
comment-post

Maryam is sooo extraordinary! Totally an inspiration to all. Loved this interview!!!

a36c4885-0324-4045-abbb-dd3a6f05427b Fri, 7 Oct 2011 21:20:43 PDT Fri, 7 Oct 2011 21:20:43 PDT
Emily Tate
comment-post

Love that she & her husband are 'adventurers' who have created such a beautiful space out of a business move!! I can't wait to pay Peacock Pavillions a visit someday - hopefully soon...

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