Mid-Century Meets Morocco in Palm Springs

Kenya Knight is trying to get the outdoor lounging area for a holiday party just so: Fanned out on the lawn are three Moroccan rugs, one in chocolate and caramel striated with lines of varying width; another in psychedelic purples, pinks, and royal blues; one is red and green like a Christmas wreath. She ditches that for being too on the nose. Taib Lotfi, her husband, unfolds other options from a waist-high stack of rugs and they finally settle on the perfect three, tote out a tea table, and string a cactus with vintage Christmas lights. And magically, there under the towering palms, is a postcard-perfect place for guests to hang out at a socially distanced holiday party in Palm Springs.

Kenya and Taib’s house is a perfect example of an Alexander home, the modular houses designed by architect William Krisel. But the couple eschews the obvious Atomic Age look for an organic modern multiethnic vibe.

California Moroccan might be a design vibe some folks “curate” when they mix and match, say, an Eames shell chair with a leather pouf (always a good look), but for Kenya and Taib, it’s the nature of their relationship. They’re the owners of Soukie Modern, which might be the coolest little rug and housewares shop in Palm Springs, selling vintage and new Moroccan rugs, housewares, and festival bags made of imported textiles. You’ve likely seen them on Instagram if you follow The Joshua Tree House or any number of other influencers who snap up and then share their wares, which stand out from the factory knockoffs with their array of vivid colors, subdued tones, and true Moroccan vintage vibes: Indeed, some of them are still dusty from the souks in Morocco where they originated.

Taib was born in Morocco and is Berber, of the indigenous people who’ve lived in the region for thousands of years. Kenya is from Los Angeles, a Los Feliz native who runs a modeling agency in town when she’s not appearing in their viral videos, touting imported rugs Taib sources from a network of makers and buyers back in his home country.

The couple have put their distinct touch on the spot, bringing in their own rugs and blankets, framed Navajo textiles that inspire them, and one-of-kind pieces of furniture like butterfly chairs, albeit draped with vintage Moroccan fabric with the iconic frames cast in solid brass. And those snack tables? Those were Lucille Ball’s. Oh, and they also have an Eames shell chair and a leather pouf. Except theirs is a real Eames and the pouf is gold… and of course Taib sourced it from friends back at the souk in Marrakech.

For a couple with a business that’s blossomed on Instagram, Kenya and Taib’s relationship appropriately began on the platform back in 2014 when Kenya was shopping for an affordable Moroccan rug and stumbled upon the page Taib was running from Marrakech at the time. Taib was the first person in the souk to use social media to market his rugs. A friendship grew quickly and the two became a couple when she went to Marrakech on a trip. “If I hadn’t found his account I probably would’ve settled for a knock-off rug from one of the big brand stores,” says Kenya. Most of the affordable “Moroccan” rugs aren’t made in Morocco and no proceeds or credit go back to the original makers. “It’s cultural appropriation at its highest,” says Kenya. “Berber weavers are prolific artisans and they weave stories of their lives into these rugs with love.”

While the temperature in Palm Springs in December can hover in the 70s during the day, at night it can drop into the cozy 40s, all the better for sitting by the fire. Kenya and Taib have assembled a group of friends to celebrate the holiday, desert style, with social distancing rules in effect. Their home lends itself to this sort of gathering: There are at the very least four distinct zones to hang out in—the expanse of lawn where the rugs have been laid out; under the pergola in the dappled shade where throw pillows and a Moroccan tea table make the perfect setting for cocktails (above); a hammock; and the pool, with its numerous lounges and tea lights floating on it in trays.

Kenya typically finds baby’s breath too fussy, but she saw its unique potential on a holiday tree. Threading sprigs throughout the boughs of the tree, the flowers echo white twinkle lights and are a sort of botanical snow.

Kenya’s inspired use of billowy pampas grass as a tree topper might be our favorite holiday decorating hack in years.

Placing dehydrated navel oranges near twinkle lights adds a luminous natural glow to the tree. To make, preheat oven to 220°F. Slice citrus into 1⁄4-inch rounds, remove seeds, and bake for 2–3 hours, flipping every 45 minutes or so. Remove from oven before they begin to brown and let cool. Pierce a small hole near the peel using a knife or paper clip. Thread twine or ribbon through to hang on the tree.