Ottoman Empire

hand-carved from mango wood
(serenaandlily.com)

There is nothing better than coming home from a long day and putting up your feet.  I find such joy in sitting in our oversized arm chair, nestled in a cashmere blanket, cup of tea in hand, feet elevated on the ottoman.  After an especially busy day it nearly rivals an hour of vinyassa flow.  This one above is from one of my favorite online fabric and furniture stores called Serena and Lily.  Their collection of fabrics is amazing and I will certainly be on trolling their site once we are settled in Norfolk.

A little Monday morning etymology....the word ottoman was first introduced into the English language in the early 1800s.  It is synonymous with "footstool" due to its typical use in a reclining postion, a European association with the fashionable Turkish style.  The original ottoman furnishings were tall and cylindrical, resembling the long, rounded hats worn by Ottoman government officials.

original ottoman shape, modern color
(furniturebyduval.com)

Currently we have a matching chair and ottoman, but I'm on the hunt for an ottoman true to its original form: one that can stand on it's own or can pull up to a chair.  We also have an extra large dark leather ottoman (below) that serves a dual purpose as our coffee table with the wooden trays on them, or a very comfortable place to raise your weary legs.  I love a multi purpose piece.

Ottomans can take so many different shapes and sizes.  I prefer one in a bold color with plenty of room for big feet (I wear a size 10 afterall).  Here are a few others I like. 

Candace Bushnell's living room with Morrocan ottomans
(Elle Decor)

bold pattern, neutral color with carved dark wood legs
(thirteenthandsouth.com)

white alligator ottoman
(thelennox.com)

round, white, crisp
(Lucas Allen Photography)

blue leather tuft
(wonderland.net)

Souk Searching



A simple Souk setting (farm3.static.flikr)

I feel like I'm in need of some serious souk searching. Our current apartment with its white walls and white carpet has always felt too sterile and expected. My next home will be decorated with pieces I find, curate, scavenge, uncover. No more cookie-cutter Pottery Barn post-college decor for me!

My souk searching starts in Morocco. On my short list of places to visit has always been Marrakech.  The obsession began in 2002 when I studied their ancient buildings in an art and architecture class in college. Then last New Year's my colleague attended a wedding there and he returned raving about the city. Here are some pics of Morrocco I like.



Marrakech College (National Geographic)



Moorish home in Morocco (ArhDecor.com)



Moroccan portico (prlog.org)

 

Then last fall I was in Middleburg VA for a wedding and I discovered the eye-catching patterns of John Robshaw at the home store Creme de la Creme. My husband and I came out with two oversized pillows and a newly ignited love of Indian textiles. Here is the designer...



John Robshaw and his pillows (Oprah.com)

And here are his pillows adding some pop to our white sofa...

John Robshaw's accent pieces (pillows, table cloths, napkins, rugs) will make any space instantly souk chic.  Below are our pillows doing wonders for our plain white sofa.  Once we move into our new home, I plan to purchase a few of his woven dhurries. They would make an elegant runner down a hallway, a clean palate for a dining room with a large wood table, or I would put one of their more whismical patterns in a children's room.



John Robshaw Woven Dhurries