Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Inspiring S p a c e s... (Yazd, Iran: making home look like home)



In the middle of the desert in Iran, there is an ancient city called Yazd. It's history dates back over 3,000 years, and the age shows in the beautiful architecture and mosaics. I have heard more stories about this city than I can count. Grandma's recollection of it is bitter and dry, and Grandpa talks about it like a love he lost many years ago. I like his stories best, because he has a place in his heart for Yazd like I do Oklahoma. Their families lived there for generations, and neither of them can recollect any part of our family coming from a different part of Iran. In their 50's they came here, following my parents, and left their home behind.

Angela recently visited Morocco, and after seeing her pictures I told her I would have to dig into my hundreds of photos I have saved to show her some of my favorite spaces with Middle Eastern influence.

Growing up, our home always looked like Yazd.



Layered Persian rugs, tapestries, intricate plates hung on walls, and lots of color. Even our meals that we share together as a family every Saturday are a reflection of home, and the culture we still enjoy from it. I always appreciated my parents incorporating these little bits of who we are into our every day life. It shaped and changed my senses to love anything that reminded me of Yazd, too.

Here are a few of my favorites that I have saved over the years. I apologize in advance that I never have sources for anything. Some of these photos are so old that I can't even remember where I got them from. I have owed Angela these for months, and I thought I would share with anyone else that is interested in a little ethnic inspiration.




Oh, my heart melts to the tune of a jewel-toned rug, layered pillows, and lanterns.

So it came as no surprise than when it was time to feather my own nest, I would find ways to pull bits and pieces of our culture into my every day.





Even my little spot at the last Arts Market is a piece of home.


Over the years I have found inspiration in so many different places, but none of them can compare to what runs through my blood, reminding me that Yazd holds a big piece of my heart, as well.

42 comments:

Kalei's Best Friend said...

U definitely have a way w/decorating..omg..Ethan Allen/Crate and Barrel should hire u!. I love the photos of the rooms- so light an airy... Yours have that special touch.

Anonymous said...

Utterly enchanting :) I can't even begin to start commenting on all the things I love in these images! Beautiful! Thanks for sharing! :)

curiousjessica said...

What a beautiful post, Aura. I am travelling to the UK and Europe next year, and I can't wait to see where both sides of my family and my husband's dad originated from.
Last year I went to New Zealand, which is where my husband's mum comes from, and I'm so glad I will be able to share with our children all the wonderful places that they (and we) originated from.

BlackPearl said...

Love your rug and your home!

Unknown said...

absolutely. positively. stunning.

Ashley Foster said...

All of your posts are filled with such beauty and inspiration! You are a wonderful woman and I think more people could find inner peace if they just took a tiny glance at your blog.

And, I was wondering if you made the PEACE sign that is in front of your fire place. It's gorgeous and I was wondering if you did it or purchased it? If you could email me at your convenience (xx_badkarma_xx@yahoo.com) it would be appreciated! Thank you!

Kathleen said...

i bet everything in your home has a story. it's not just "something you bought" i love that. when my family came to the united states from the middle east, they brought all their rugs, jewelery and some furniture thinking that they could sell it. well, turns out no one wanted it. i am so thankful because the everything in my home has a history that is nothing but my own.
you're home looks like... home

Kristi said...

i am 100% dutch but have never traveled to the netherlands. i recently received a package from a blog friend in the netherlands who gifted my littles with books and illustrations that every dutch child has grow up with. it feels amazing to have these little pieces of my homeland to share with them.

Monique said...

The abundance of color in those rugs is striking. A dear friend of mine says, "Every home should have an old man, if there are no old men, they must have old rugs."

Love, to you and yours.

Monique

Aura said...

Thank you, every one!


Fancy- Yes I painted the peace sign last year.


Kathleen- Every little thing. People come over and pick random things up and the story begins.
Unfortunately, my family wasn't able to bring a lot. They escaped Iran during the revolution, and a lot of their things were gone when they came here. Some clothes, tapestries, etc made it. They do still have some jewelry, and that red & black rug in all my pictures came from Iran :)


Monique- I love that! My old rug is who knows how old. It's not even the slightest bit stiff, anymore. It rolls like a blanket.

Kathleen said...

*your home looks like home.. not "you're home". GOODNESS.

RMT ellen said...

Wow your pictures are so inspiring!!! i love the look of low seats, textiles, lots of pillows, cozy atmosphere... Thank you so much for sharing!!!

Ryan said...

As everyone else said, beautiful. It is full of nostalgia, but also full of coziness and warmth and love.

kay* said...

oh i adore this post! i'm hugely into interior design and decor and this is my favourite style - a global/ethnic style - it's just so me. i love spaces that reflect different cultures, countries...so beautiful and interesting. i love how you've incorporated your culture into your home.

i'm moving to india for a year and have been collecting all of the inspiration photos i can so that i can refer to them when decorating my new flat - these will definitely be added to my inspiration file - thank you for sharing.

btw have you head of the blog my marrakesh? i think you would like it - the blog author maryam lives in morocco & recently opened her own boutique guesthouse (built from scratch) and decorated it herself. every item is handmade, or designed by her, or transported back from one of the many countries she visits for work - so beautiful.

Unknown said...

Girly you have some great style!!! Seriously:-) Gorgeous. You must come help me decorate our home lol

Meemo said...

Truly beautiful. I love your shelves. Thanks for the inspiration as I am at a loss for ideas but itch for change.

I see all the stuff you have on the floor and can't help but think of all the baby proofing you'll have to do. Before you know it, you'll have a crawler who likes to eat even the tiniest bit of lint off the rug.

siniann said...

I adore different cultures and I would like to have both in my home, the spicy world meeting my own icy world.
Here were I live, it's mixed with french and moroccan (algerian etc) traditions, it's really interesting and can see it in everyday life.
Thank you for sharing these!

The Maiden Metallurgist said...

I can't tell if that's kefta, but it looks like it... Since I've been feeling good enough to eat again it is the only meat I've wanted- I've been eating kefta two or three times a week.

Sarah Katie said...

you have a black and white long-haired cat. i have two. they are both lovely kitties.

Unknown said...

Our Iranian friends all have gorgeous homes. And the women are all super put together too. (And they have really good rice)! ;-)

Breeze said...

Every thing is so gorgeous. Seriously, EVERYTHING. Those pictures you found made my heart yearn for travel and living abroad. Thank you for this post! You should post some of your grandpas stories some time. =)

Vanessa Rae said...

How lucky you are to have such amazing roots. The interiors that inspire you are beautiful, thanks for sharing!

angelarenai said...

These pictures are so gorgeous!!! Thanks for compiling them for me. I am in love. :)

julie said...

Aura, have you ever been to Iran? Do you want to go someday?

Parissa said...

Beautiful, stunning photos!! I love the colors, textures...I can almost smell aush bubbling on the stove when I look at these photos. :)

Alivia said...

Oh I adore your style & that you shared some of your inspirational history. Just lovely :)

Scott and Tabi said...

one of my favorite posts!!! thank you! :)

my mom is from Yazd too (her maiden name is Yazdi!!) but i've never see it! she has amazing memories from there but we always took family vacations to Rasht, where my dad's from. i just know there's a huge contrast between the two places; Yazd being dry and ancient and Rasht being the extremely green little village by the sea with overgrown fields.

i SO SO SO want to go to Yazd one day. will you ever take a trip with your hubby and little one to Iran one day?

yours truly, melissa said...

Cute new header! We're using a winter tree in our wedding invites... I love trees. It's a cliche thing to love in photos, but how can one not? They're so beautiful, no?
Also, all these photos are beautiful and inspiring. I love the simplicity, the layering, and the warmness of each photo - my favorite is the first large one on the top left with the curved topped door, the lavender, and inviting floor pillows. Also the picture with the dogs.
Your mantle looks great - did you already take all your Fall decor down?

Unknown said...

Absolutely gorgeous photos. So darn inspiring!

beka said...

I'm totally loving all the photos.
*happy sigh*
They're amazing.

p.s.
I really loved your comment on She Breathes Deeply, about birth. :)
It's pretty awesome. Baby Catcher, by Peggy Vincent, is the book that totally flipped my mind about birth--in the best way possible:)

Cindy Lee said...

Hi Aura! Congrats on the baby :)
I was just wondering if you are selling any of your stuff online yet? I love your LOVE signs! You can email me at cindylee5@hotmail.com.
Cheers!

Julie-Inspired Shares said...

Family roots are so important to really "feel" however that may be. Expressing it in your home is what makes your house your home, and yours looks so beautiful. Thanks for your sweet comment too..hows baby doing? Sending growing, positive energy your way!

Julie xo

Julie-Inspired Shares said...

The photo with the amazing desk, tapestry and dogs is from Elle Decor cover...ages ago. I kept this magazine, and still have it. I just loved and still love everything about it.

Julie xo

Unknown said...

oh my word - i have only just now stumbled across your blog and i am head over heels for it. you are magical! i love your energy and your appreciation for life.

also i love that you've brought in your culture in the most perfect way. I am half Algerian so I love tucking in bits and pieces of my culture into my American lifestyle. It makes it so full and colorful.

anyways - so happy that i've stumbled across this blog. i know it will provide me with endless inspiration.

Elisa said...

What a lovely story Iran and Yazd. I enjoy listening to my grandparents stories about Mexico and how a loaf of bread used to cost cents. It's very important to continue telling these stories to the new generations.

I was reading about your trip to Colorado since it was my homestate before moving overseas.

Congratulations Mama-to be. That has to be the sweetest way to tell your son/daughter of the day you found out he/she was coming into the world. and that you are going to be parents to your hubby.
And I will add what a lovely gesture from your Mother to come back home to homemade bread and yogurt.

It was a pleasure stumbling upon your blog.

Jen Laceda | Milk Guides said...

Hello Aura,
I'm new to your blog and found you via A Cup of Joe. Consider yourself blogrolled! Love your site!

By the way, I love Oriental carpets, esp. Persian! My background is Chinese, but I have a deep passion for anything North African / Middle Eastern. You are very lucky to have a wonderful family who incorporated your culture in your upbringing! I hope to do the same with my 2 kids :)

Ciao and see you 'round! Happy Thanksgiving!

Unknown said...

Oh wow Aura! You always manage to inspire me - beautiful photography, beautiful words, beautiful homes, beautiful you... what a lovely start to a Saturday morning. xx

Studio 13 said...

ADORE your "All you need is love" signs. I just featured your fabulous blog on mine this morning. Have a wonderful weekend!
~Blair

www.studio13inc.blogspot.com

Full Cup said...

these pictures are simply amazing. I love all the various colors, textures, mixtures of designs, styles, etc. The last few pictures are so soothing to look at. The room looks so inviting, but also very real. Like you could put your feet on the furniture and be at home. I'm so glad I just discovered your blog! Following!:)


xo,

Molly Jane

PS. Stop by and follow me if you want;)

www.browneyedcharmer.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing these pictures with us. I'm always amazed how your pictures are as polished and beautifully inspiring as any professional magazine/gallery book.

My friend and I wanted to visit ME countries we haven't been to and Iran is on our top 5 list.

Mice Aliling said...

Thank you for sharing! I am planning to start building my own home, my dream home :) in a couple of years and I should start collating pictures. Thank you for sharing the photos. And I love the details of anything Persian. I adored Turkey when I was there :)

Kelly @ turned UP to ELEVEN! said...

All of these spaces are amazing and yours is no different. I love that your home is a reflection of all the places your family has been. I've always loved rugs, we had tons of them in the house growing up and it's always the first place I want to warm the room up with, regardless of if we have carpet there's always room for one more area rug. ox