Tulu Textiles

Once again, the Co-Lab pin boards have me lusting after a new crop of textiles. This time, the objects of my affection are created by Tulu, a company based in Istanbul that is owned by American expat Elizabeth Hewitt. Tulu is a snazzy looking shop in Tukey and the company also produces beautiful fabrics. Those fabrics are used to make pillows, bedding, table linens, and accessories like scarves and handbags and my oh my, they are all lovely.

I'm so sick of seeing the same old patterns (i.e. chevron, ikat, etc.), so to me, Tulu's prints are a breath of fresh air. Not only are the designs unique, the color palettes are stunning. With rich, vibrant colors at work, these fabrics definitely have the power to perk up a room! Here's a peek into the world of Tulu:

Mimi

Hand-stitched quilts

Stella

Alvin pillows

Doti Sheeting

Alma

LOVE this fabric, called Melvin, for upholstery!!

More Melvin - notice the cool border

Noor

Orphan Blue

I am dying to get some of these Bixby napkins!

Dupatta Shawls

And now, swatches of my favorite fabrics -

Stella

Talullah

Alma Blue

Alvin Pink

 Bixby Black

 Isadora

 Lola Blue

Madame Farfalla

Mahmut Pink

Melvin

Whew, I need to get some samples of these bad boys. I've got too many ideas on how and where to use them. Aside from a normal setting, I can totally picture Tulu fabrics in a vacation home or in a kids room.

What do you think of Tulu's offering? Are you loving the prints and colors as much as I am? If so, check out the list of retailers and shop away! Or if you're in Istanbul, pop into the Tulu store...

Online Resources for Moroccan Goodies

For the past year or two, all things Moroccan have been über popular - vacays to Marrakech, Moorish tunics and jewelry, and of course, Moroccan poufs and lanterns have been all the rage. Normally I tire of trends easily but I'm glad that Moroccan aesthetic has flourished in America and stuck around for a while. Besides the vivid colors and the distinctive style, most Moroccan creations and designs have a rich history behind them and so many are intricately crafted by hand, both attributes that are rare these days. Along with those qualities, I also appreciate how Moroccan style (especially in decor) is both exotic and comfortable at the same time.

A while back I wrote about Moroccan goods purveyors, E Kenoz and Sheherazade, and today I wanted to pass on a few more resources in case you're in the market for some zesty Moroccan accents. I've recently found great stuff at the following sites: Moroccan Prestige, The Moroccan Room, Just Morocco, and Marrakesh Trading House. I shopped all four stores and these were my favorite finds...

Moorish Brass Mirror - Moroccan Prestige

Moroccan Table

Giant 50" x 16" Palace Pouf

Ceramic Urn

Mosaic Fountain

Zebra Cabinet
Artizana Pouf
Fleur de Lys Tile
Brass Tray Table

Ceramic Vases

Granada Fountain

Assorted Zellij Mosaic Tile

I love the idea of hanging one of these huge painted square ceiling panels (shown first below) on the wall to serve as artwork or even as a headboard...

80" x 80" Ceiling Panels

Madeira Headboard

Jolting Colors Rug

Leather Pouf ($135)

Also, they aren't shown below but I feel like I should mention that the Moroccan Room carries a pretty good selection of rugs including the popular Beni Ourain style.

Azrak Bed

Moroccan Tea Glasses

Berber Rug

Some pretty amazing stuff, right? I'm really dying over the headboards and the mosaic fountains! A more feasible purchase would be a set of the bright and cheery tea glasses...I'd probably use them as vases for small flower arrangements. 

Do you like Moroccan decor? Even if you don't love the style, the colors are mesmerizing, aren't they?

A Little Bit of Moroccan

Moroccan-inspired home decor has been hot for a while now. Usually, I tire of trends pretty quickly, but that's not the case with the Moroccan goods. The authentic items and motifs have been around for quite some time, so it's really not fair to label them "trendy." Much like Chinese ginger jars, many traditional Moroccan home decor pieces are becoming ubiquitous in Western interiors. Rich with intricate patterns and motifs, the outstanding craftsmanship is apparent and very much appreciated by yours truly. In fact, one of my favorite accent tables in our home is a Moroccan piece (at least, I think it is).

The table was my grandmother's so I don't know much about where it came from or when it was acquired. If any of you have some expertise in this area, please feel free to set me straight on the country of origin! In any case, I love the table and especially like the detail on the brass top...

If you're itching to bring some Moroccan zest to your home, you've come to the right place. I've uncovered two great sources for Moroccan furniture and home furnishings...one is E Kenoz and the other is Sheherazade.

E Kenoz has good accent furniture and lighting...

Brass Tray Table

Mother of Pearl Table

Lantern

Pendant Lamp

Candle Lantern

Sheherazade has a wider selection. This is just a tiny sampling of their online inventory...

I LOVE these floor pillows!

Syrian Wall Sconce

Ottoman

Pendant Lamp

Accent Tables

 Chest

Ikat Pillows

Poufs (they have lots of colors)

What is your opinion on Moroccan-style home decor? I obviously like it, however, with all of the rich colors, textures, and details...a little goes a long way!