Inspiration from: Morocco

Exotic.  Overwhelming.  Intriguing.  Moroccan design is intoxicating, a riot of pattern, colour, texture.  This is where The World Collective journey begins.  These images from Peacock Pavillions, a guesthouse near Marrakech, had me thinking - how can I bring a slice of this beauty into my own world?  Should I replicate this dramatic stencilled wall in the bedroom of my own modern apartment?  Perhaps a rustic side table or exotic rug would do the trick in the loungeroom.  Or a lantern or two to set the mood....

Images from: decor8blog

Noss noss - what else?

image: Cathy Leighton

OK, so I know this is supposed to be a design blog.  But I wanted to share something from Morocco that has truly impacted my day-to-day life.  Coffee coffee coffee!!  Or more specifically noss noss.  A noss noss means 'half half' and is a delicious small glass off hot milk, espresso shot topped with a scoop of froth.  Oh, and served with a couple of sugar cubes.

On a recent trip to Morocco, I enjoyed at least one of these every day.  I loved the whole experience of sitting in a cafe with my travel buddies watching the world go by while we enjoyed our caffeine hit.  And a good noss noss is not just a treat for the taste buds - it can also be a treat for the eyes, as the coffee and milk merge together in beautiful ever-changing ripples.   It is truly a little slice of heaven in a petite glass.

I have continued my quest to create the perfect noss noss back home in Australia - with varying results.  The quest continues...