Stuart Hough, Sunnyside Trading Co.

This newsletter arrives amid multiple changing seasons with Spring winding down and Summer creeping in; students finishing up their final days of classes, and the Sun entering Gemini, an astrological movement associated with new energy and excitement.

Change, in and of itself, can get a bad rap, disrupting routines, forcing new patterns, and taking us outside of our comfort zone. However, not all change is inherently bad.

Embracing this time of seasonal change, what shifts might you have been considering? Have you (also) had that itch to explore? To seek a new path or passion? To experiment with something new? To tap into your creative spirit?  Are you ready for (new) adventures?

If Spring has been about planting and tending to our seeds, then Summer is time for adventure, creativity and fun.

I am looking forward to traveling soon to one of my favorite places in the world, Morocco. Morocco was a subsidiary trading route along the old Silk Road, and remains a hub of culture, art and craft. Morocco’s culture is a blend of religious and ethnic traditions, encompassing Berber, Arab, African, Mediterranean, and Jewish influences.

Greeted with mint tea and warm conversation in the old souks (or markets), I have been fortunate to see some of the most beautiful textile and tile work created by local artisans. And I simply cannot get enough of the colors in the botanical wonderland that is Jardin Majorelle, created by Yves St Laurent. The colors in this garden resonate with me in the same way as Monet’s Giverny, and I hope someday you are able to visit both.

On this trip, I am traveling with friends and will be a “tourist” more than treasure hunter. I will visit Essaouira for the first time and will end the trip in Fez at the Sacred Music Festival. My bag is packed….

With this in mind, we have shared below some of our favorite Moroccan pieces that embody the magic of the season, especially beautiful vintage carpets woven by the Berber tribes in the central Atlas Mountains. And, as always, we’d love to see you at Sunnyside and hear all about your adventures!