A Jonathan Adler designed room at the California hotel Parker Palm Springs.

Morocco may be known for its vivid, flat-weave rugs but another style is so completely different you may not have realized it too, hails from Morocco.

Vintage Beni Ouarain (the name of the tribe) rugs were woven by Berber women of Morocco’s Mid-Atlas mountains in the 1940’s to 1960’s using natural-color sheep’s wool in varying shades of white and brown.  The result is an almost oatmeal-hued background often decorated with abstract line drawings and patterns.

Close-up of a Beni Ouarain rug. (Via Mosaik)

I’ve seen dozens of these rugs and the natural colorings make each one unique.  The wool is soft, fluffy and similar to the retro 1960’s shag carpet that has again become so popular.

If you watch closely, you’ll see these earthy, organic textiles appearing in various designer room settings.

Designer Jonathan Adler decorated the Parker Palm Springs (Hotel) with vintage Beni Ouarain rugs [top photo, above and below] pairing them with his signature retro style ceramics and “Rat Pack” era furniture.

Whereas Adler’s rooms were designed around a lively, retro, mid-century modern theme, Chicago designer Kara Mann takes a different approach in this Mexican villa [below], focusing instead on the monochromatic style of the carpets.

Used in conjunction with other natural elements in the room, the carpets reinforce the tranquil atmosphere of the home’s ocean front location.

Photos above via:
Parker Palm Springs
Jonathan Adler
Kara Mann Designs

Tags: Beni Ouarain moroccan rugs, jonathan adler, kara mann, passion for rugs oriental rug blog, undyed moroccan rugs