Back from my Marrakech retreat and looking through my pictures, those colors stay with me and bring back warm memories. When we begin to think of colors from Moroccoa, what would come to your mind? Perhaps the terracotta hues of Marrakech, also known as the Red City. Or the blue color that makes Chefchaouen so recognisable. The explosion of color when wandering through the souks; the leather, the spices, the ceramics. The colorful zelliges that adorn your Riad or appear in historical monuments. Exactly, it is a rich source to start looking for color combinations and to discover they can be a great inspiration and not only for an ethnic or bohemian style. You’ll notice I’ve chosen mostly modern and even minimalist interior to show how these Moroccan palettes can be adapted in contemporary settings.

This picture is a detail from a fountain in the garden of hotel La Mamounia. A combination with quite neutral tones: a warm beige base, touches of olive and chocolate, an almost black to provide contrast, and a muted pale blue to lift up the palette. La Mamounia was built in 1923 and quickly became the favorite retreat for politicians, artist, musicians. Churchill went there to relax and paint, calling it “the most beautiful place in the world”. Alfred Hitchcock stayed at the hotel while writing and filming The Man Who Knew Too Much. The Rolling Stones vacationed there at the end of the 1960s. It was the favorite place of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berger before they purchased property in Marrakech. A place of lasting inspiration for many. You don’t have to stay at the hotel to be able to stroll around, have a drink in the bar or sit in the garden.

This color palette is perfect for a modern, more minimalist interior, offering a clean and uncluttered look that feels inviting. Neutrals paired with the warmth of the wood floor and the open shelves. The black accents provide a nice contrast with the muted blue of the room. Altogether, the color harmony feels calm and measured, an atmosphere to relax the soul.

I went often to Marrakech but never made it to the desert, so an evening in a tent resort at the Agafay dessert for dinner was on this year’s list. We arrived around 6 PM, in time to wander around and visit one of the tents, a luxurious setting in the middle of nowhere. You would feel almost as if you were in one of those old-fashioned adventure movies. Slowly the sun went down and we had a delicious dinner under the stars by candlelight.

The natural colors we see in nature are the starting point for a relaxed bathroom, you can easily create your personal wellness spa right at home. Especially now, with the dark months ahead when we are less tempted to go out, you will have all the space you need for a calm evening or a restorative wellness weekend. Natural materials and the soft, muted tones will gently soften the space around you and invite a sense of peace.

Also when wandering through the souks and passing the heborist’s shop filled with all the spices and the Moroccan remedies for beauty and health wellness, the vibrant natural color pigments stand out in strong contrast against the bundles of herbs, mint, stones and black soap. Whenever I arrive in Marrakech I always stop by to see Aziz, who greets me time after time with a warm hug, and I leave with my favorite spices to recreate at home the Moroccan dishes I love so much.

A more mono-colered harmony also had to be part of this collection of Moroccan color palettes. Especialy in Marrakech, the Red City, you will see it all around you. And the beauty lies in the subtle nuances. You can finish your walls with a lime paint to create this soft, cloudy effect, or if you are decorating your bathroom, you could have specialist install tadelakt on the walls. Tadelakt is a lime plaster mixed with natural pigments; craftsmen apply the plaster in several layers, compact it with a small stone, then finish it with black soap, which renders the surface water repellent. Pair the terracotta tones with a dark exotic wood and heavy linen to complete this look.

The Madrasa Ben Yousef was constructed mid of the 16th century. It displays the full spender of the Moroccan craftsmanship; refined zellige tiles, intricately carved cedar wood doors and ceilings, and delicate stucco decoration. Students traveled from distant regions to study religious sciences, philosophy, medicine and mathematics. On the first floor you can see the student rooms, modest yet functional. Walking around you can sense a quiet serenity that invites you to reflect and meditate. The Madrasa is for sure one of the most beautiful historical monuments in Marrakech.

The soft off white tones are paired here with the richer colors of the zellige tiles, used as an accent within the room. This bedroom, dressed in warm off-white hues, is anchored by the dark blue wall-to-wall carpet. Does it feel too spartanic, or is it simply the ideal setting for winding down? To me, it feels as entering a space where all the noise of the outside world is kept at a distance.

Enough of the natural colors, let’s also take a look on all the vibrant color explosions we see in the souks. The picture above is from a table on the roof bar of El Fenn, a very trendy spot somewhere tucked away in the Medina. It all started with the Riad El Fenn, that quickly became a hit on Instagram. Later they expanded with the El Fenn concept store showcasing the work of young Moroccan designers. Climb the spiral stairs and you arrive at the rooftop bar, decorated in a modern, colorful style, where you can relax and enjoy a good view on the Koutoubia mosque.

Mixing all those strong colors can work very well in a modern interior. By keeping the walls simply white and choosing a warm wood floor, you create the perfect backdrop to play with all those bold colors. A useful tip on how to make sure the colors connect well is to introduce small accents where you find a mix of this tones; it can be a pillow, a rug, a small vase or a painting on the wall.

September is the month when pomegranates are abundant and you can enjoy a freshly prepared drink, juiced for you right on the spot. All those deep red tones, here set against a cobalt blue plate, create a warm and joyful harmony. The vivid contrast between the red and the blue is softened by the presence of warm off-whites and beige tones.

Another sparkling combination that fits very well a striking modern setting. The colors are well defined and deliberately distinct, nothing gets mixed, creating a look fitting well a small Parisian apartment. Make sure you have enough natural light entering the room to keep a positive, uplifting vibe, that gives you energy.

Woven baskets, shopping bags, hats and more, to show a wider range of their craftsmanship skills, offering inspiration for a final color harmony. The same sparkle as the ones before, yet here is feels much more feminine through the use of these different pink tones. Here, a turquoise accent adds an additional gleam, and brings the harmony more to life.

I always love modern interiors in a classical setting, and if we wouldn’t have here the warm red and pink accents, the room would feel rather boring. There has been this trend over the last few years toward all-beige interiors, but now clients start asking for a touch more color. We can introduce a little extra personality in our homes. We don’t have to blend in with what we see on social media, just be you and let your home reflect this.

You see, take a look at your holiday pictures and let the memories come back to you. Translate those feelings into a color harmony and allow it to become the starting point for a creative project—one that doesn’t have to be limited to interior design. Get inspired, the colder months are here, start a new hobby, discover maybe your creative side.

Make it a colorful week!

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Martine Claessens Blog

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How the Colors of Marrakech Can Inspire You