IN THE DESERT SPIRIT

IN THE DESERT

The most stylish Moroccan rug merchants in the West host a socially distanced holiday party in their mid-century Palm Springs home.

KENYA IS TRYING

to get the outdoor lounging area for the holiday party just so: Fanned out on the lawn are three Moroccan rugs, one in chocolate and caramel striated with lines of varying width, another in psychedelic particolored purples, pinks, and royal blues, one is red and green like a Christmas wreath. She ditches that for being too on the nose. Taib, her husband, unfolds other options from a waisthigh stack of rugs and they finally settle on the perfect three, tote out a tea table, and string a cactus with vintage Christmas lights. And magically there under the towering palms is a postcard-perfect place for guests to hang out at a socially distanced holiday party in Palm Springs.

California Moroccan might be a design vibe some folks “curate” when they mix and match, say, an Eames shell chair with a leather pouf (always a good look), but for Kenya Knight and Taib Lotfi, it’s the nature of their relationship. They’re the owners of Soukie Modern, which might be the coolest little rug and housewares shop in Palm Springs, selling vintage and new Moroccan rugs, housewares, and festival bags made of imported textiles. You’ve likely seen them on Instagram if you follow The Joshua Tree House or any number of other influencers who snap up and then share their wares, which stand out from the factory knockoffs with their array of vivid colors, subdued tones, and true Moroccan vintage vibes: Indeed, some of them are still dusty from the souks in Morocco where they originated.

Taib was born in Morocco and is Berber, the indigenous people who’ve lived in the region for thousands of years. Kenya is from

Left: Kenya and Taib sit on matching peacock chairs surrounded by the stunning vintage rugs and wall hangings they sell at their boutique Soukie Modern.

“Berber weavers are prolific artisans and they weave the stories of their lives into their rugs with love.”

Kenya and Taib’s house is a perfect example of an Alexander home, the modular houses designed by architect William Krisel. But the couple eschews the obvious Atomic Age look for an organic modern multiethnic vibe. Los Angeles, a Los Feliz native who runs a modeling agency in town when she’s not appearing in their viral videos, voguing imported rugs Taib sources from a network of makers and buyers back in his home country. They’re also the owners of the coolest little Airbnb in Palm Springs. The couple have put their distinct touch on the spot, bringing in their own rugs and blankets, framed Navajo textiles that inspire them, and one-of-kind pieces of furniture like butterfly chairs, albeit draped with vintage Moroccan fabric with the iconic frames cast in solid brass. And those snack tables? Those were Lucille Ball’s. Oh, and they also have an Eames shell chair and a leather pouf. Except theirs is a real Eames and the pouf is gold… and of course Taib sourced it from friends back at the souk in Marrakech.

For a couple with a business that’s blossomed on instagram, Kenya and Taib’s relationship appropriately began on the platform back in 2014 when Kenya was shopping for an affordable Moroccan rug and stumbled upon the page Taib was running from Marrakech at the time. Taib was the first person in the souk to use social media to market his rugs. A friendship grew quickly and the two became a couple when she went to Marrakech on a trip. “If I hadn’t found his account I probably would’ve settled for a knock-off rug from one of the big brand stores,” says Kenya. Most of the affordable “Moroccan” rugs aren’t made in Morocco and no proceeds or credit go back to the original makers. “It’s cultural appropriation at its

Fig Old Fashioned

MAKES 1 / 5 MINUTES

Dried figs add just a bit of tannin and even more caramel notes to bourbon. Orange bitters and peel take the drink in a decidedly holiday direction. Fig bourbon can be made by steeping eight figs cut in half in a half-liter of bourbon overnight.

2 oz fig-infused bourbon dash orange bitters 1 sugar cube orange peel soda water

Add sugar cube to a double Old Fashioned glass and add orange bitters. Add a dash of soda water and muddle the sugar cube and bitters until the sugar starts to dissolve a little. Pour in bourbon and stir to fully dissolve. Add ice and stir again to chill. Flame orange peel over the drink and rim the glass with the expressed peel. Drop the peel in.

Moroccan 75

SERVES 1 / 5 MINUTES

This variation on the crisp and effervescent French 75 champagne cocktail gets its blush from the simple addition of pomegranate molasses. To make molasses reduce 12 oz of Pom Juice over medium heat by half. Then add 6 oz of dry sugar and stir until dissolved. Add a few dashes of orange flower water. When it cools it will thicken.

1 oz gin ½ oz pomegranate molasses ½ oz lemon juice 3 oz chilled sparkling wine, such as cava, prosecco, or champagne

Shake all ingredients with ice except the champagne. Strain into a flute and top with the champagne. Garnish with a lemon peel.

Tea in the Kasbah

MAKES 1 / 5 MINUTES

1 ½ oz vodka 2 oz mint tea 1 oz lemon Juice 1 oz date syrup soda water fresh mint sprigs for garnish

Shake all ingredients except soda water and strain over ice into a highball glass. Top with soda water and garnish with ample mint sprigs. NOTE: If using store-bought date syrup, dilute it with an equal portion of water

highest,” says Kenya. “Berber weavers are prolific artisans and they weave stories of their lives into these rugs with love.”

While the temperature can hover in the 70s during the day, at night it can drop into a cozy 40s, all the better for sitting by the fire. Kenya and Taib have assembled a group of friends to celebrate the holiday, desert style, with social distancing rules in effect. Their home lends itself to this sort of gathering: There are at the very least four distinct zones to hang out in—the expanse of lawn where the rugs have been laid out, under the pergola in the dappled shade where throw pillows and a Moroccan tea table make the perfect setting for cocktails, a hammock, and the pool, with its numerous lounges and tea lights floating on it in trays.

The menu is simple and true to Kenya and Taib and true to place. Taib makes a killer couscous. While the hardcore way to make a fluffy, next-level couscous is to make in the traiditional steamer, Taib does the next best thing: He bakes it in the oven in a closed vessel which steams the dish ever so gently, evenly

Kenya’s Desert Tree

While you could put up a hodgepodge of decorations accumulated over the years, consider taking a cue from Kenya and find three statement pieces that stand out and complement each other. While the botanicals aren’t native, their colors echoe the desert hues—it’s maximalist minimalism at its finest.

BABY’S BREATH

Kenya typically finds baby’s breath too fussy, but she saw its unique potential on a holiday tree. Threading sprigs throughout the boughs of the tree, the flowers echo white twinkle lights and are a sort of botanical snow.

PAMPAS GRASS

Kenya’s inspired use of billowy pampas grass as a tree topper might be our favorite holiday decorating hack in years.

CITRUS CIRCLES

Placing dehydrated navel oranges near twinkle lights adds a luminous natural glow to the tree. To make, preheat oven to 220◦F. Slice citrus into ¼-inch rounds, remove seeds, and bake from 2–3 hours, flipping every 45 minutes or so. Remove from oven before they begin to brown and let cool. Pierce a small hole near the peel using a knife or paper clip. Thread twine or ribbon through to hang on the tree.

cooking each grain. Afterwards he fluffs it by hand, further separating the grains so they’re ready to absorb the accompanying sauce and the other ingredients laid out for folks to customize their bowls.

Today Taib has made a vegan version with roasted vegetables and a garlicky tomato sauce, but on other occasions he’s separately served it with braised meat on the side so carnivores and vegetarians can partake in the same dish. Bonus: Tagines are perfect for making ahead of time so you can hang out with your guests.

The cocktails on the menu tonight courtesy of their friend Steen Bojsen-Møller, beverage manager and co-owner of Palm Springs hot spots Seymour’s and Toucans. With bars at diminished capacity, Steen has redirected his creativity into the California Moroccan drinks he created for the party. With effervescent Moroccan 75s tinged pink by pomegranate molasses, spiked tea, and figinfused Old Fashioneds in hands, Kenya, Taib, and their friends take turns serving themselves buffet style at the dining table and spread out on rugs throughout the yard to celebrate as the sun sets in the winter sky.

“Kenya, Taib, and friends sip Moroccan 75s tinged pink by pomegranate molasses”

Tea lights float on tea trays in the pool. Nancy Deane and Laura Angelone toast with French 75s as the sun sets.

The sprawling yard allows for distinct socially distanced gathering spots.

Taib’s Holiday Couscous

SERVES 6 / 90 MINUTES

For this year’s holiday party, Taib made a strictly vegetarian version of his family’s couscous recipe, but at previous gatherings he’s offered a chicken variation as well. Cooking the tomato sauce, chicken, and vegetables separately allows guests to customize their plate to suit their tastes and dietary preferences. While you could simply make couscous according to the directions on the package, Taib’s oven-cooking method yields delightfully ethereal results.

6 tbsps olive oil, divided 1 medium onion, one half diced, the other sliced 2 large skinless boneless chicken breasts 1 pinch saffron 1 tsp cumin powder 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp paprika 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 tsp grated fresh ginger 1 28 oz can tomato purée 1 4 oz can of tomato paste 2 cups chicken broth 1 cup cremini mushroom, quartered 5 medium carrots 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1 zucchini, cut into rounds Handful of heirloom cherry tomatoes 2 cups of Bob’s Red Mill Golden

Couscous 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 2 tbsp butter ¼ cup golden raisins ¼ cup chopped almonds Salt and pepper to taste

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In a Dutch oven or large sauce pan over medium heat, add 1 tbsp of olive oil. Add ½ cup of diced onion and cook until translucent, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Add chicken breasts to the pan. Add the saffron, cumin, turmeric, paprika, garlic, ginger, salt and pepper. Using tongs, turn the chicken in the spices and aromatics to coat well. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, giving the spices time to open up and season the chicken. Add the tomato purée, tomato paste, chicken broth, carrots, mushrooms, sliced onion, cilantro, and parsley, and let cook for 10 minutes. Add the zucchini and heirloom cherry tomatoes to the pan and cook for another 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, to make the couscous: Preheat oven to 350°F. Add couscous to a 3-quart rectangular baking dish (about 9 by 13 inches), drizzle with 1/4 cup of olive oil. Using a spoon, mix the couscous and olive oil together well and add salt and pepper as desired. Add 4 cups of water to the couscous. Cover pan tightly with tinfoil. Put in oven cook and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, or until couscous is tender. Remove from oven and fluff the couscous with a spatula. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Transfer to a large bowl and continue to fluff and mix together with a whisk, or, if you feel like it, use your hands to break any clumps of couscous into single grains. Add lemon juice, butter, almonds, and raisins. Mix together again and fluff with hands. Return couscous to the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes then serve.

Kenya and Taib transport rugs and holiday cheer in their 1957 Ford pickup truck.

PALM SPRINGS

The hotbed of mid-century cool remains an essential destination

There’s a reason Hollywood stars chose Palm Springs as their go-to getaway: The air was clear, the mountains stunning, and the striking desert compounds offered unparalleled privacy. Today, top-flight restorations sit alongside exciting new developments, making Palm Springs one of the top destinations for SoCal residents fleeing the city—for the weekend or forever. Here are some of our fave spots, with expert picks from local insider Kenya Knight.

SHOP

1. Desert Chic Taib and Kenya, our cover stars, run their eclectic and stylish boutique Soukie Modern in downtown Palm Springs. From rugs that really pull the room together to locally sourced antiques, there’s something for everyone’s digs. soukiemodern.com 2.Vintage Vibes If you want to go all-in on mod desert fashion, look no further than iconic contemporary resort wear genius Trina Turk’s flagship store for vibrant swim wear, caftans, and more. trinaturk.com

3.Glass From the Past When designer Jonathan Adler needed to trick out The Parker Palm Springs with period-correct glassware, he sourced dozens of brightly colored bottles and vases from vintage housewares shop Bon Vivant, located in the Uptown Design District. psbonvivant.com

EAT

4.Sushi With a Twist The idea behind chef Edgin Onural’s Sandfish in Palm Springs is to marry top-flight bourbon with handcrafted, high-quality sushi with a Scandanavian twist. We support this marriage. Sandfishps.com

Mr. Lyons

EXPERT PICK

5. Steakhouse Supreme An elevated reimagining of oldschool Palm Springs steakhouse Lyon’s English Grille, Mr. Lyons has all the nostalgic touchpoints plus contemporary flourishes: Think emerald green banquettes, Parker House rolls, Wagyu ribeye, and textbook executions of cocktails like the Vieux Carré. mrlyonsps.com

6. Strip-Mall Score The Vietnamese-American fare at Rooster and the Pig works well no matter what the temperature outdoors: Go with spring rolls on a scorcher; opt for pho when the weather’s cool. roosterandthepig.com

EXPLORE

7. Hike With Spirit The Agua Caliente band of Cuahilla Native Americans who once populated Palm Springs in great number considered the Tahquitz Canyon a locus of great spiritual importance. Their descendents now oversee this spiritual site and hiking trail. Pay the entrance fee—and pay respect to the land and its stewards—with a visit to the site. An hour-long hike takes you past ancient gathering sites, petroglyphs, and stone grinding sites culminating in a lush, 60-foot waterfall. tahquitzcanyon.com

8. Go Spike-Seeing A “living museum of desert lore,” the Moorten Botanical Garden was established in 1938 and now plays home to 3,000 species of cacti, not to mention a handful of tortoises lazily lolling about. As an arboretum, it’s undeniably unique. moortenbotanicalgarden.com

EXPERT

PICK 9. Quick Day Trip High atop the San Jacinto Mountains, the alpine town Idyllwld has all the feels of a ski destination without the traffic. Just a 45-minute drive from Palm Springs, take this ultimate wintery day trip and enjoy the charming small town with its independently owned shops and restaurants. Bonus: Around the holidays there is often snow, which makes it all the merrier. Year-round activities include mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking trails and camping.

Tahquitz Canyon

STAY

10. Hilltop Views Up a winding road and overlooking the entire valley, the slope-side perch at The Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage helps you stay far above the fray. ritzcarlton.com

11. One-of-a-Kind Luxury Once the horse ranch of Gene Autrey, the 13-acre Parker Palm Springs started its life as the country’s first Holiday Inn. After being owned by TV titan Merv Griffin for years it was overhauled by designer Jonathan Adler in 2004. Lush gardens and unique art installations make for a fresh experience no matter how many times you visit. parkerpalmsprings. com

13. Pool With A View Two years ago the Kimpton hotel group’s The Rowan made a splash as the most stylish addition to downtown lodging. Its smart take on desert design includes guestrooms that tip a hat to mid-century without going overboard plus a rooftop pool with sweeping views of the mountains. rowanpalmsprings.com

12. Convivial Courtyard Hammocks, a hot tub, and a centrally located pool are the stars of the courtyard at the 27-room Les Cactus, but our favorite pastime while staying a while is to pluck a piece of citrus down from the dozens of on-premises trees and give them a squeeze in the guest kitchen. Just add vodka! lescactusps.com

VALUE PICK

Our Covers. Your Walls.

We recently uncovered a trove of posters litho-printed decades ago, featuring some of Sunset’s greatest classic covers—and now we’re offering them to you. Show off your pride in the West, and get them while they last at shop.sunset.com.