Moroccan Mood

As Seen in Palm Springs Style:

An Intimate Dinner Party Concept That Will Transport Your Guests To Another Time And Place

When you step through the front entrance of Karokia Pensione in Palm Springs, you are greeted by a courtyard that could just as easily be in Morocco, with a gorgeous fountain laden with floating Bougainvillea blooms, a handcarved, keyhole-shaped wooden door, and lush citrus and olive trees, oleander bushes and date palms. The boutique hotel property was originally built in 1924 as a hideaway for Scottish painter Gordon Coutts, with Coutts recreating his past life in Tangier through Moroccan-inspired architectural features and décor.

We drew inspiration from Korakia for a dinner party concept, tasking a few talented local folks with helping us create a memorable menu and setting that will transport you to another time and place. We set the scene at Korakia starting with a base of a beautiful vintage Beni Ourani rug from Soukie Modern, under a handcrafted wood table from Planks and Patina. Studio Kate Floral created a lush centerpiece and smaller satellite arrangements of multicolored florals, featuring blooms like poppies,ranunculus and hydrangea, with an abundance of vintage brass candlesticks running down the center of the table. Vintage Moroccan wedding blankets and pillows, also from Soukie Modern, cover a wooden daybed to create a comfortable and chic lounge area.

LOCATION: Korakia Pensione // 257 S. Patencio Road, Palm Springs, korakia.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: Katie McGihon // katiemcgihon.com

MENU: Chef Gavin Grabe of Clementine Gourmet Marketplace & Cafe // 72990 El Paseo, Palm Desert, clementineshop.com

FLORAL DESIGN: Studio Kate Floral // studiokatefloral.com

FURNITURE: Planks and Patina // planksandpatina.com

VINTAGE RUGS, BLANKETS, PILLOWS & TEA SET: Soukie Modern // soukiemodern.com

VINTAGE WINE GLASSES & FRUIT BOWL: Flow Modern Design // flowmodern.com

PLATES & NAPKINS: World Market // 2465 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, worldmarket.com

FLATWARE: West Elm // westelm.com