Adeline Kurniadi of Maison Haim and Alexander Gotama of LXE Moments were inspired by the stunning Jardin Majorelle in Marrakesh to create a Moroccan-themed table setting for Ramadan and Eid Mubarak.
Among the myriad wonders of Marrakesh, Morocco, is the magnificent two-and-a-half acre Jardin Majorelle. This botanical and landscape garden offers shady lanes in the midst of trees and exotic plants of dreamy origin. Visitors walk past refreshing, burbling streams and pools filled with water lilies and lotus flowers. They hear, wafting through air laden with oud sugared fragrances, the rustling of leaves and the chirping of numerous birds.
The garden was created and developed by a French Orientalist artist, Jacques Majorelle, over almost 40 years from 1923. It features a Cubist villa designed by French architect Paul Sinoir in the 1930s. In the 1980s, the property was purchased by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé, who worked to restore it. Today, the garden and villa complex is open to the public. The villa houses the Islamic Art Museum of Marrakech, the Berber Museum and the recently opened Musee Yves Saint Laurent.
“I love Marrakesh, and my mind immediately flew to Jardin Majorelle and the Laurent museum,” said Alexander Gotama of LXE Moments, a provider of event decoration services, as he and Adeline Kurniadi of Maison Haim, a Senopati-based retailer of luxury furniture, lighting, gifts and accessories, were putting the finishing touches to their Ramadan and Eid Mubarak table setting for Prestige. “The dominant colours of the villa are electric blue, yellow and a little bit of sage green,” Alex went on. “Both of us were inspired to incorporate these colours into our setting.”
Added Adeline: “The table cloth is in electric blue with a touch of yellow on top to add contrast. What’s unique about Majorelle is the total clash between the colour of the house and the plants in the garden. For me, it is very unique.”
Adeline and Alex created two centrepieces. Alex went for a vase filled with peonies, ranunculus, fritillaria, chrysanthemums, waxflowers, dianthus and roses, explaining: “I chose them because they are my personal favourites, and my brand is all about making statements with colours and premium flowers.”
Meantime, Adeline chose the Mughal Garden Tea Set by Michael Aram. “This is a limited edition of 100 pieces in the world. The designer is very inspired by the maharajas’ palaces in India. But because it holds the same style and design components, we started to blend it into the Middle Eastern and Moroccan styles. One special feature is the special gems on the tea pot handle, while the lid of the sugar bowl has a purplish gemstone that I really adore.”
Tableware, silverware and ice buckets are from Michael Aram’s The Rainforest Collection. Alex designed and painted the menu and the place cards in water colours, with calligraphy from Veronica Halim. Veronica is an international calligrapher known for the expressive, delicate yet graphic quality of her penmanship. She’s the author of Calligraphy Styling, published in Japan in 2017.
Wrapping up their inspiring project, Adeline said: “Through everything we have designed for this table setting, the purpose is to help keep the traditions of the season alive. Ramadan and Hari Raya are about bringing families together. It’s a season filled with hope that must be enjoyed and cherished.”
