Moroccan Treasures

Summer is over. Our coveted Pacific Northwest sunshine is quickly fading to mellow gray. As a way to fool myself into thinking it is not cold, blustery and wet outside, I’ve started looking into interior lighting for a little color and light therapy. Said search led me to Moroccan Treasures on Broadway in Tacoma.



The store carries an impressive array of artful henna lamps. Sturdy wrought-iron frames bent into curving, flowing form make up the inner structure of these incredible double rooster floor lamps. The willowy design of some heavily suggests movement, exotic dances and silks fluttering in a breeze. Others resemble an animal horn or tusk with very strong masculine sentiment.



Each lamp is individually made by hand in Morocco, so no two are exactly alike. After the goatskin has been stained or painted with a base color or a fanciful star design, it is stretched over the curved frame and given a lacquer coating. Once illuminated, the soft glow seeping through the goatskin is warm and luxuriating.



Lamps range from 2 feet to 6 feet tall and come in red, yellow, blue, and orange ($345 to $360).



Hollowed-out tabletop lamps ($145) made of a quartz-like stone are a bit subtler, but just as eye-catching sitting on a side table made entirely from Moroccan fossilized marble. The remains of 400 million year-old giant fossilized mollusks riddle black, charcoal, deep rose and brown-colored marble that has been transformed into sinks, fountains and tables. Moroccan marble has the highest concentration of fossils of any in the world making one think of the North African country as a dinosaur cemetery and not just a bustling point of export, tourism and great beaches.



Smaller items like bookends, jewelry boxes, candleholders, serving platters, business card holders, and paperweights are also sold.



[Moroccan Treasures, 906 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.552.4000, www.finestmoroccantreasures.com]

Baggallini Trunk Show

Watermark Gifts and shop proprietor Karen McGrath hosts a Baggallini Trunk Show Friday, Sept. 28. What is a trunk show? Trunk shows are typically a first viewing of new products that allows limited numbers of buyers first-shot purchasing.



Jerry Boyle, Baggallini representative, will be bringing a truckload of bags in fun fall colors and will be on hand to answer questions and share his expert opinion on what bag is best for you based on your function needs. Baggallini products are known to be durable, high functioning and fashionable, made with quality fabrics and strong stitching.



Check out oversized totes, carry-alls, messenger bags, makeup bags, purses, and more. Designs have a broad range appeal due to the varied styles and Baggallini’s smart ability to offer items that compliment almost anyone’s fashion sense and personal style.



[Watermark Gifts, Friday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1115 A St., Tacoma, 253.383.2041, www.baggallini.com]