DETROIT NEWS
JEANINE MATLOW
A Moroccan-themed dining room strikes a festive note that feels right year-round. (Hagopian)
Our homes can stay festive after the holiday decorations come down. A decadent dining room at the Cranbrook Holiday Tables event serves as the perfect example.
This project was a joint effort between The Teich Group (Steve Teich and Stanley Lecznar) in Royal Oak and Suzanne Hagopian, executive vice president of Hagopian World of Rugs, with Metro Detroit locations.
Their theme was “Moroccan Nights,” which Hagopian describes as magical, colorful and warm, with shades of deep-raspberry, red, turquoise, cobalt blue and gold.
The challenges they faced were not unlike those of the average person who is forced to work with what’s in place. For instance, many of the pieces had to stay put.
“The biggest challenge was tying together the period furniture with the modern table setting,” says Hagopian. “We were able to accomplish this by using textiles that bridged the gap, like the table cover — an antique Kilim rug that picked up colors from the existing rug in the room.”
As Hagopian explains, Kilims are flat woven rugs that represent the oldest form of rug-weaving. “They are mainly of tribal or village origin and they are woven exclusively by women,” she says. The Kilim pillows on the chairs added another layer of pattern and texture to the Moroccan theme, while enhancing the carving on the chairs, Hagopian says.
For the centerpiece, an exquisite antique samovar was filled with a jewel-toned floral arrangement designed by Tracey Meagher of The Teich Group.
The unique piece was flanked by solid brass, hand-etched vintage candlesticks. “A shining addition,” Hagopian says.
Gold chargers and red plates brought additional color to the table. The settings were selected by The Teich Group and purchased from Pier 1 Imports. The solid brass flatware was from a personal collection.
“Don’t be afraid to use your antiques with your affordable accent pieces — they can make your space uniquely yours,” says Hagopian. “One example would be a beautiful antique tribal rug to provide a dramatic backdrop for a modern dining table.” A round table by the bay window was covered with an antique hand-embroidered Uzbekistan rug.
By the fireplace, a hand-hammered Turkish copper pot held logs, while a pair of striking 5-foot-tall antique brass water pipes that was converted to candleholders, captured the essence of Morocco.
This display proves that a unique theme can spice up a rarely used dining room. For information, call 1-(800)-HAGOPIAN or go to originalhagopian.com.
Jeanine Matlow is a Metro Detroit interior decorator turned freelance writer specializing in stories about interior design. You can reach her at jeaninematlow.
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