Open blue door with green climbing plant, Morocco

by Monique Tekstra-van Lochem

An open blue door in Chefchaouen, Morocco. Who might live here? And what story lies behind this door? The inviting opening in the old stone wall makes one curious about the life going on inside.

The wooden door, painted in a bright turquoise-blue shade, stands ajar. Through the opening, a small glimpse of the interior is visible. The façade consists of rough natural stone and weathered plasterwork in soft pastel shades of blue, beige and grey. To the right, a green climbing plant winds its way up the wall, whilst terracotta roof tiles and a light blue door complete the authentic street scene. Chefchaouen, situated in the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco, is renowned for its blue-painted medina. But behind the colourful façades lies the everyday life of the people who live there.

It is precisely the imperfection of this old wall, the simplicity of the open door and the greenery of the climbing plant that give this photograph a warm and personal character. An image that not only shows a place, but also evokes a sense of welcome and curiosity.

As wall art, this documentary travel photograph combines pastel blue and turquoise with natural sandy tones, grey and fresh green. The soft colours and weathered materials fit beautifully into a Mediterranean, rustic, bohemian or wabi-sabi interior. A characterful piece of art for lovers of Morocco, authentic architecture and photography that tells a story.