Thank you Maryam. Thank you beyond words really. You see readers, Ms. Marrakesh fulfilled a dream of mine today, one that I’ve had for eons, to own a genuine vintage Moroccan wedding quilt. It’s something I’ve wanted for so long now that I stopped searching because everywhere I looked, I couldn’t find one that spoke to me or my wallet. Over the past few years, I’ve been scouting for them, but those I found exceeded my budget and reached up into the thousand dollar range, and that my friends is a bit over the top, even for a dream item. It’s hardly a need, it’s not that practical – like say a car or a vespa. It’s a blanket. But not just any blanket.

A very happy guest bedroom.

And though the last thing I need is another textile in my home, the very one I’ve wanted was the very blanket I couldn’t have. Until today.

I owe Maryam a huge hug for bringing this with her on a recent trip to Boston, she was here and I was in Germany so sadly, I couldn’t meet her. But she left something very special behind with her family (they live outside of the city) and they kindly shipped it to me. Here’s a glimpse of it freshly unpacked and resting on the bed above. It looks exhausted, it must have traveled many miles to meet me. So while it relaxes there in our guest bedroom, I’m pondering next steps. Where will I display this beauty, the blanket that makes beautiful music when you shake it just a little as it sparkles in the sun? I must treat something like this with such care. If I ever have children or pets, all will know to respect the holy sparkle blanket from Marrakesh.

Thank you again Maryam. So, so much. If anyone is interested in a owning a blanket like this one, she may carry them in her future shop. Until then, if you know of a resource, kindly comment below. Maybe you’ll fulfill the dream of another reader.

UPDATE: If you would like one, Maryam said that she has 10 in stock. You can email her to place your order at maryam AT mtds.com

(images from holly becker for decor8)

22 Responses to “Never In My Wildest Dreams…”

1 gazella commented:
December 4th, 2007 at 9:32 pm

gorgeous! did she make it herself? i’d definitely buy one!
2 susanna commented:
December 4th, 2007 at 10:12 pm

What a special, beautiful gift! It looks like the blanket has stardust sprinkled across it. Magical! Maryam is such a lovely person, isn’t she? She sent me a present of goodies last year including two pairs of beaded moroccan slippers. I gave one pair to my sister and we both did a little dance in them in the livingroom. One day I will visit her in Morocco and stay in her guesthouse. Don’t you think that would make for a terrific artists’ retreat?
3 scrappy girl decorates commented:
December 4th, 2007 at 10:43 pm

Oh, I’m so happy for you, Holly. It’s gorgeous. Reminds me of this dress my mom let us play dress up in.
4 Meg commented:
December 4th, 2007 at 11:02 pm

completely lovely, now you have me wanting one. Any resources or suggestions would be wonderful.
5 Kristin commented:
December 4th, 2007 at 11:40 pm

It is beautiful.

You made me chuckle at the words “..all will know to respect the holy sparkle blanket…” :-)
6 Grey Tea. Design commented:
December 5th, 2007 at 12:15 am

That blanket is beautiful!
I’m very envious!

.. and now I want one too.
Some day!~
7 S. commented:
December 5th, 2007 at 12:25 am

The crosshatch is wonderful. I’ve never seen one like that! I’d love to own a real one too, but till that day Urban Outfitters just introduced rugs in the row style and pillows in their stores.

The look for less, folks…
8 j. shim commented:
December 5th, 2007 at 7:24 am

Oh, how LOVELY!
9 Erin Lang Norris commented:
December 5th, 2007 at 12:51 pm

WOW that is unbeatable. I saw the “perfect” Moroccan wedding blanket about 3 months ago that I wanted so badly…I knew the price had to be high…but not $1600 high! Yours is so special because you know that it came from somebody who truly cares. :)
10 Porcelain commented:
December 5th, 2007 at 4:14 pm

Wow! I mean wow!!! It looks great Holly! Yay for internet friends!!!
11 Maryam in Marrakesh commented:
December 5th, 2007 at 5:21 pm

Holly, I am so glad you like it. I want you to know that yours is esp special because the sequins are in a cross hatch pattern rather than rows. Shows the gift and creativity of the maker.

I currently have a stash of 10 vintage Moroccan wedding blankets. Each perfect and picked by me.
12 LallaLydia commented:
December 5th, 2007 at 6:06 pm

Maryam managed to hunt down a great one-I’ve never seen a white/cream colored one before. Usually they come in all shades of red, russet and orange but not such a pale, almost ethereal shade. Lovely! Congratulations, or, as they’d tell you in Morocco after getting something new “biSaH!”
13 Melissa @ The Inspired Room commented:
December 5th, 2007 at 6:06 pm

Maryam is so sweet to bring that to you. It is a lovely blanket!
14 Maryam in Marrakesh commented:
December 5th, 2007 at 6:35 pm

I am so glad that people like these beautiful blankets. My blankets in my stash are for sale!
15 Jennifer at Design Hole commented:
December 5th, 2007 at 10:07 pm

I love the cultural element to the blanket. Beautiful.
16 Zylo commented:
December 5th, 2007 at 10:29 pm

It’s gorgeous! What exactly constitutes a wedding blanket though? I did a search but couldn’t find any information.
17 Brooke commented:
December 6th, 2007 at 5:39 am

Maryam hand picked a pair of white leather with silver sequin slippers for me, and they are one of my absolute favorite things in my little studio apartment. I have them propped next to my bed, as the perfect accent to my bedding.
18 joy commented:
December 6th, 2007 at 1:37 pm

so beautiful!
19 travelingmama commented:
December 6th, 2007 at 5:47 pm

Gorgeous! I live in Morocco and I haven’t seen anything like this before. Maryam has an amazing eye and is the ultimate treasure hunter! I love your poof too!
20 decor8 commented:
December 6th, 2007 at 7:10 pm

Thank you! Yes, Maryam has a great eye. :) The pouffes are from Egypt, I have two. I look at them and they remind me of how I nearly grew up in Cairo. My family ALMOST relocated there in 1978 but instead, he decided it may not be the best place to raise a little girl so he decided to take an assignment in South Carolina where I grew up instead. To this day I wonder about his decision and if I had grown up in Cairo, how that would have shaped my views of design, the world, etc. It’s funny to think about. I’m sure decor8 would not look like the same blog!
21 lush commented:
December 7th, 2007 at 12:14 am

this is breathtaking. i have a few clippings of these blankets in a folder of things i dream of having one day.
22 M?lanie commented:
December 7th, 2007 at 12:38 pm

The blanket looks very happy ..wonderful piece . You are a lucky girl

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