How Alexandra Loew Transformed a Storybook Victorian Cottage into a Moroccan-Inspired Family Home
The bohemian town of Santa Cruz, California is 10,000 miles from Fez, Morocco. But inside a perfectly gingerbread Victorian house in the coastal surf town, home to a travel-loving family, the North African country feels surprisingly close in spirit.
“In decorating, authenticity is not as important as the feeling that things work together and that you are drawn to them.” says Alexandra Loew, the home’s Los Angeles-based interior designer. “You don’t need design to be connected to your sense of identity.” In the midst of a lengthy review of lighting options, one of the owners zeroed in on a pair of filigree Moroccan lanterns and a light bulb went out for Loew. She thought of the late American decorator Bill Willis, a Marrakech transplant whose hedonistic, pan-Arab pastiches (often the result of hallucinogenic benders) were all the rage for jet-setters like Yves Saint Laurent and John Paul Getty, Jr. Willis is became the patron saint of the project.
The late 1800s architecture was wonderful, sure, but needed updating. Loew and his team removed the claustrophobic drop ceilings, carefully preserved the home’s historic stained glass windows, and designed a significant addition that would take years to be approved by the local landmarks board. From there, Loew began creating languorous interior spaces in the spirit of Moroccan riads.
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“There’s just something about the combination of earthy metals, shimmering silks and silvery mirrors.”
With patterns reminiscent of zellige mosaics, the cinema room’s tapestry and layered wallpaper are old-world counterpoints to a modern sectional sofa, while the living room’s look comes from a mix of rustic ( rush floor mats) and refinement (Fortuny pendant lamps). Glistening with smoked glass, silk textiles and the star shapes of filigree lanterns, the dining room is a lavish scene straight out of Thousand and one Night.
Despite the seeming incongruity of the storybook architecture and alluring interiors, Loew found parallels. An interior palette of lavender, peacock, and terracotta — the latter reminiscent of the Kasbahs of the High Atlas Mountains — isn’t far off from the vibrant colors of Victorian homes. That, too, suits the setting of the house: Santa Cruz, an ice cream-colored beach town that almost defines Americana. For Loew, the magic is in the incongruity: “It’s all a bit bizarre, a bit anachronistic and a bit unexpected.
Living room
Loew designed the interior architecture to express the pinches of the roofline and “layered” the moldings for a Victorian character. Convertible: 1stDibs. Ground suspension: silk lampshade by Fortuny. Drapery fabric: Fox Linton Silk Wool, Kneedler Fauchere. Side table: Interiors Syrian and Moroccan Mosaik. Chair: Warren Platner, 1st Dibs, in Trudeau Stripe, Kneedler Fauchère. Cocktail tables: bespoke, Alexandra Loew, in silk velvet.
master bedroom
Zellige tiles in a Moroccan trellis pattern line the backs of the shelves. Bedhead : made to measure, Alexandra Loew in C&C Milano Fabric by Thomas Lavin. Lantern: Vintage Moroccan, Mosaik Moroccan decor. Bedding: vintage, collection of rugs by Jamal.
Kitchen
An architectural turret has been transformed into a dining area. Counters: flamed granite (left); butcher block, John Boos (right). Cabinet paints: Palladian Blue, Benjamin Moore (left); Blue from The Hague, Farrow & Ball (right). Backsplash: Heather ceramic.
Dining room
A small seating area in the bay window serves as a table for the children during large gatherings. Table and poufs: custom, Alexandra Loew. Tapestry: Moon Silk Silk, Alden. Drapery: Fox Linton silk wool by Kneedler Fauchère, with Samuel & Sons The Little Silk border and Rouen glans.
Movie room
The mix of green botanical textiles gives a “saturated, layered and cozy” feel, says Loew. Wallpaper: Pimpernel by Morris & Co. from Jasper Showroom. Drapery fabric: Marly in Blue Greens by Colony de Scalamandré. Chest: ancient Romanian, 1stDibs.
Guest room
The Moorish star shape of the custom headboard has been specially designed to accommodate a set of sconces. Bedhead : custom, Alexandra Loew, to Ruskin Fabric by Colefax and Fowler of Cowtan & Everything. Bedding: vintage textiles, carpet collection by Jamal. Side table: Interiors Syrian and Moroccan Mosaik. Mural: Cloud Cover, Benjamin Moore.
Primary bath
The perimeter of the bone tile mirror references the opulent mother-of-pearl inlays prevalent in Moorish furniture. Backsplash: Tile key. Faucet: Aqueduct. Lantern: vintage Moroccan, Mosaik Moroccan interiors. Mirror: to try similar Wisteria. “I like to pair a little worn rug with a bit of shine,” says Loew. Bathtub: The bath works. Garden stool: 19th century Minton earthenware, 1stDibs. Towel dryer: EuroConcepts. Shade fabric: Fiandra Stella Machè by C&C Milano by Thomas Lavin.
Study
The owners requested a couch by the window so the kids could curl up while doing their homework. Drapery fabric: Isan, Jim Thompson. Wallpaper: Bird and Pomegranate, Morris & Co. Sofa: Napoleon III, 1st Dibs. Table: 19th Century Charles X, 1stDibs. Lamp: Armilla 41, Fortuny. Pillows: personalized from reclaimed saris.
Swimming pool
Adjoining the cinema room, the infinity pool overlooks a vegetable garden below. Deck chairs : Janus and Co. Poufs and lantern: vintage, Mosaic. Carpet : Jamal’s rug collection.
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