New Moroccan Style: The Art of Sensual Living

A specialist in regional design, Sully (Savannah Style; Charleston Style) turns her attention from the American South to Northern Africa in this lavishly illustrated and impressively informative guide to""new"" Moroccan style. Though the country's architectural and cultural traditions have influenced Europeans and Americans since the late 19th century, Sully points out that""new Moroccan style"" is different from its predecessors in that the""revival is finding explosive expression and avid consumption right on Moroccan soil."" Thus, almost all of Cazals' full-color photographs are shot in Marrakech, Fez and Essaouira. Each chapter of the book is devoted to a public building (such as the red leather and dark wood nightclub Comptoir Darna) or a private home (such as the minimalist, earth-toned abode of German Ambassador Herwig Bartels). And Sully's text explains how each location exemplifies or modifies the Morocco's characteristic mix of Berber, Arab, Spanish and French Art Deco styles. Smaller sections describe new trends in textiles, ceramics, glasswork, and furniture. Overall, this is a lovely book--a good choice for anyone interested in learning more about the history and application of a complex design tradition.