Moroccan Lanterns - an Escape Into Moroccan Furniture

In a perfect world, you would be in your Mediterraneanwith promises of modern creature comforts, but you
parlor, reclining on a luxuriously upholstered ottomanremain unswayed. Beneath your feet, the cement
with a warm bowl of harira soup. At this moment,gives way to the provocative fractals of a Moroccan
however, the rich comforts of Moroccan furnituretile floor; the hardened concrete path appears as the
seem impossibly far away. Instead you find yourselfluxurious hand-made Berber carpet that adorns the
walking through the wet, blustery chill of a Februaryfloor of your Mediterranean parlor. And within the icy
morning at an hour so early that it still feels likepuddles, you can see the reflection of an elaborately
yesterday. Gone are the lush fabrics, bold colors, anddecorated Moroccan ceiling above you. In this world,
cinnamon earth tones of Moroccan decor- they haveyou may walk between the raindrops, unscathed by
been replaced by the concrete reality of thethe neon lights that buzz cynically overhead; and in
surrounding metropolis. You clutch your overcoattheir place, you see only the romantic glow of
against your chest, hoping to ward away the worst ofhand-wrought Moroccan lanterns.
the sleet until you reach your first destination - the busYou have finally arrived at the office where you have
stop. As you get off the bus, you see the glowing lightreached countless compromises in the past. The
of Moroccan lanterns shining. Each step drags yourevolving door of the building has little to offer you in
further and further from your treasured Moroccancomparison to the intricately engraved entrance to
furniture. But you have planned for this; the vision ofyour Mediterranean parlor.
your Mediterranean parlor will sustain you throughoutIn Morocco, the doors are designed to welcome
the day until you can return to its welcoming mirth.guests, enticing them with grace and artistry. But here--
The bus is drawing near, and you wonder if you willin the real world-- the doors seem to throw you out as
encounter the surly bus driver today. With batedsoon as they invite you in. Your body may enter here,
breath, you climb aboard and-- the surly driver greetsbut your mind will remain transfixed with the exotic
you with a dismissive snort. But you aren't even there.ambiance of Moroccan decor. Co-workers greet you
The bus has already morphed into the Mediterraneanwith bowed heads and grave countenances; and you
parlor, Moroccan lanterns are everywhere glowingrealize that many of them will live their entire lives
their magical flare; the stiff bucket seats have beenwithout ever having glimpsed the subtle beauty of
replaced by the forgiving cushion of your favoriteMoroccan furniture.
ottoman, its refined silken upholstery buffering youEntering the board room, you take your seat at an
against the onslaughts of a callous society. The din ofelongated table. The faces around you look bored. For
cell phones and the steady groan of the city meltthem, all tables are rectangular-- or square. They have
away as you remember the quiet solace found only innever seen a hexagonal table with fascinating Moorish
your own Moroccan furniture.designs and a hand-carved facade; that much is clear
This is your stop. A hydraulic sigh accompanies yourfrom their expressions. On your own face, there is a
leap from the bus steps, and you take to the sidewalklook of total contentment. The Moroccan furniture has
as if in a trance. And still the visions of Moroccanpulled you through the worst of another day, thanks to
furniture and the shining Moroccan lanterns captivateyour own sense of style and taste. Now you are
your imagination. Smoke from a nearby ventilation pipecurled up in your favorite ottoman, sipping your bowl of
reminds you of a steaming cup of mint tea. Furnitureharira soup. Board meetings are so much better this
shop windows try to lure you from your daydreamway. And no one suspects that you aren't even there.