Yves Saint Laurent: Villa Oasis

What I wouldn’t give to be sipping mint tea in Marrakech today. Suffering from a summertime cold, I awoke early this morning and started leafing through The Elle Book of Decoration (2001). I borrowed it from a friend last week and I am deeply enamored with every page.

A perspective on French design, the book explores the work and influences of contemporary designers, including Philippe Starck, Didier Gomez, Christian Liagne, Andree Puttman and Jacques Grange. It also includes past homes of Loulou de la Falaise, Kenzo, Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent.

I was particularly thrilled to find these amazing images of Villa Oasis and Jardin Majorelle (Majorelle Gardens), originally designed by French artist Jacques Majorelle. In 1980 Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé purchased the garden and restored it to its original splendor, leaving it open to the public. When Saint Laurent passed away in 2008, his ashes were spread in the garden.

A palette of blues and greens inspired by Henri Matisse graces the drawing room. The finely wrought stucco and top moldings in 'zelliges' are original to the home.

An Arts and Crafts writing and drawing desk.

A corner of the bedroom boasts Syrian furniture inlaid with mother of pearl, and Anglo-Indian armchair and French chandelier (18th century).

A spacious terrace opens to the extraordinary garden.

The 'Menzeh' is the most informal room at Villa Oasis. The view overlook the garden and the pond designed by Majorelle in the 1920's.

Yves Saint Laurent in Marrakech, 1976.