Entertaining in a Small Space? Create a Moroccan-Style Dinning Room
By Sarah Tricha
When thinking of Moroccan design, it is easy to drift into thoughts of saturated color, exotic accents, and warm breezes. But don’t overlook the practical use of space that is a hallmark of Moroccan design. I’ve hosted successful dinner parties for a dozen people in a 650 square foot apartment by serving dinner Moroccan style.
A Moroccan salon is a traditional greeting room lined with sofas. The walls are often decorated with zillij tiles and the ceiling made of plaster etched with intricate designs. In practice, this room is like an American dining room; formal and kept out of daily use. But when it is used, the Moroccan salon is magnificent in its ability to serve multiple functions. While Americans may retire to the TV room after Thanksgiving dinner to nod off after a heavy meal, Moroccans are free to collapse in style in the very same spot where they consumed their feast. The sofa perimeter serves as a daybed, dining chair, and couch. The round table functions both as a dinning table and a coffee table. More tables are added to accommodate guests as needed and removed once used.
In Moroccan dinning, there is no head of the table or separate seating and place settings. The room is designed for communal gatherings and meals are served and eating from one large plate. It’s a dream for hostess when it comes to cleaning up, particularly if you don’t have a lot of dishware for serving individual plates. But, if your guests are squeamish about sharing, you can always offer individual plates, as foreigners in Morocco are usually offered.
Dining rooms make easy conversions to Moroccan salons because they are usually square with walls on at least two sides. Start by lining the perimeter of the room with custom benches. Once you have the bench bases in place, top them with custom foam cushions covered them in fabric of your choice, be it plain canvas or something more ornate. Use standard size bed pillows covered in matching or complimentary fabric to line the wall and form a back to the bench.
If you are not a do-it-yourselfer or cannot afford a custom carpenter to build the benches for you, you can use a day bed, which I did. I ordered mine online from West Elm. You can buy or make futon covers. Or, if you’re lucky enough to go to Morocco, you can order covers made according to your specifications. Mine were a gift from my thoughtful mother-in-law. However, daybeds are deeper than traditional seating, so you will need to add extra pillows for the back.
If you do build your own benches, consider ordering carved wood plaques from a Moroccan artisan, which you can use to finish off your bench base, giving the final product an authentic feel. Or, you can cover the base with some batting and upholstery with fabric that matches or compliments the cushion covers.
I like to keep the base wood as it gives me more flexibility in terms of changing the fabric covers. They are easily removed, washed, and replaced. Think of them as fitted sheets. You can change the fabric of the sofa, and the look of the room, on a whim. No need for re-upholstery!
Once your sofa benches are in place, add a round table and a few poufs or ottomans for additional seating around the table. You now have a room with more capacity than a traditional dinning room and one that can serve many purposes. Have dinner, drinks, coffee or tea, play chess, take a nap, or just talk. Dinner guests never have their comfort shifted during the transition from dinner to desert to drinks. In fact, that is the danger of the Moroccan salon: your guests may never leave.
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June 15th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Do you have any suggestion of who to contact as far as finding a moroccan artisan to make the wood panels for the front of the sofa? Thanks!
June 16th, 2009 at 8:39 am
I don’t have any specific contacts. I suggest contacting Internet retailers, such as http://www.berbertrading.com/. I believe they handle specific requests. It may take some time and money, but they could likely trackdown what you’re looking for. I haven’t worked with them yet, so I am speaking from an assumption.
I’d love to hear from anyone out there who has better suggestions or recommended contacts.
July 14th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Hi,
This is for the person who’s asking for wood panels for the front of the sofa,
I’m a Moraccan graphic designer and artist, and if you need any help with the wood panels design i can help, because i made them for living.
Thanks.
July 27th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I am also looking for a source to make custom panels for the front of a sofa. Were you able to find someone?
Thanks for your advice!
July 27th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Rhizlane, do you also have a source to make the panels you design?
Thanks!
August 1st, 2009 at 6:38 am
we in our workshop in oman can do it for you as we have a morrocan carpenter
August 28th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Try contacting Badia Design. They are in the Los Angeles area. I’ve done business with them and they have always been very helpful. They go to Morrocco several times a year on buying trips and can have custom items mfg. to your specs. Alternativly you may be able to utilize the various sized wood panels and trim items that they have in stock. They have a web site that has pics of nearly all their stock. Good Luck
April 13th, 2010 at 6:01 am
how large should the benches be?
April 13th, 2010 at 6:04 am
It depends on the size of your room. They should be deep enough to sit on comfortably, but otherwise the length/size is determined by the space.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:35 am
We can take custom order for any need, we have artisan to make the wood panels, sofa, daybeds or any other furnishing need
April 25th, 2010 at 12:31 am
Hi,
If you are going to build a morocon daybed/dining area – what is the best height for the seating/coffee table..
thanks
August 12th, 2010 at 9:10 am
Hello everyone
I would like to share a great website with you guys http://www.fezinteriors.com
best
Fouad
November 24th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
if u ganna buy salone from morocco im here to deliver it to ur door from morocco to london
call latif on 07960984290
January 10th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Can you tell me of any website or a place in the U.S that sell dinner ware zillij pattern or any Islamic patterns. Thanks
January 13th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Hi Omar,
I’m sorry but I don’t have any specific recommendations. Good luck!
January 19th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Try badiadesign.com
March 14th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Moroccan salon,true traditional salon can be found at Orientalism 8340 Beverly blvd ,L.A 90048. They import directly from Morocco,they import the very well known Moroccan brand: Richbond.They can custom order your living room or you can buy fromthe store.They deliver everywhere in the U.S.You browse the website then you call them and they take time to explain send you picture and samples of fabric.I truly recommend them!
March 14th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Try the website: http://www.richbond.com for Moroccan traditional salon.send your request in an email for a free estimate at orientalism68@gmail.com.
April 30th, 2011 at 11:09 am
We imports directly from Morocco a large line of outdoor mosaic tables, along with lightings, sofa and wood furniture, and home accessories.We also do rental for moroccan party,wedding ,anniversary ect…Please check our website at : http://www.kenza-imports.com and email us at kenzaimports@gmail.com for any question you might have.
July 3rd, 2011 at 6:34 pm
I am an expert in special type of plaster work from carving either new or restored. I use all kinds of settings/designs on walls, ceilings for clients in Orange County, LA areas. During 1990′s, I was a professor at University of Restoration (L’Institut de Formation aux Metiers Traditionnels du Batiment) in Fes, Morocco teaching his students as a team. They were the preferred restorers for the Riad Projects. Riads were set up with the express intention of supporting restoration work in various cities, Morocco. Please check out my website at http://www.moroccanelegance.com and call/email me for appointments as well as with questions. Thank you.
October 29th, 2011 at 12:41 am
Hello everyone
This is a great website for Moroccan interiors design and decorations. enjoy http://www.fezinteriors.com
best regards
Fouad
November 3rd, 2011 at 7:52 am
I bought foam rubber from Sun Fabricators in High Point, NC to make my own Moroccan salon furniture. Quality was great and Lisa in customer service was very helpful. I would suggest to anyone wanting this type of furniture in North Carolina to call Lisa at Sun Fabricators in High Point to get the job done. 336-885-0095
December 15th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
Is there someone in NYC that has wood panels. Does anyone know an artisan who can create this in NY for a reasonable price.Thanks for the help.