The Sheltering Sky is a slow and steady looker of a film that follows an American couple as they travel through Northern Africa in 1947. Hoping to rekindle their faltering marriage, the couple sets out for an adventure but is met with more desperation and depression at every turn. It’s hardly a bright ray of sunshine, but the stunning surroundings make it the most delectable morsel of melancholy you could hope for.
Image above: 1. Pith Helmet, $20; 2. Brass Globe Pendant, $518; 3. Casablanca Fan, $239; 4. Illesteva Sunglasses, $230; 5. Leather Passport Cover, $27; 6. Steamline “Aviator” Luggage, $131+; 7. Patent T-Strap Heels, $120; 8. Medina Box, $58; 9. Salt Chair, $98; 10. French Carafe and Glasses, $30
While the storyline slides along slowly, it’s hard to ignore the sound of your heart racing at the gorgeousness onscreen. Moorish lanterns mingle with vintage lingerie, linen towels and classy fans keep you cool in the Moroccan sun, and leather luggage sets almost steal the show. When sadness is served up so stylishly, you’ll definitely want to take a slice home.
Image above: 1. Large Vintage Lantern, $2850; 2. White Pitcher, $8; 3. Maroon Fez, $18; 4. Sisal Diamond Rug, $250; 5. Linen Towel, $21/each; 6. Vintage Octagonal Table, $1880; 7. Wooden Clothes Pins, $4; 8. Wicker Bottle, $98; 9. Araks Lily Teddy, $225; 10. Marquee Letters, $170; 11. Minox Digital Camera, $179
23 Comments
This is my all time favorite movie. I have seen it so many times and get something new always. I like movies to change how I see the world. Speaking of which… My second favorite is “Northfork” and might make a good movie for this feature. “It’s 1955, and the town of Northfork, Mont., is about to disappear off the map, the victim of a newly constructed dam. Six men are charged with clearing Northfork of its last hangers-on: a couple, a man who owns an ark and a nearly comatose orphan. Acclaimed filmmakers Michael and Mark Polish deliver another movie mining the drama of America’s changing fortunes.”
Beautiful! I miss Egypt now, thanks a lot. Oh oh oh do one on Jamon Jamon, please? Have you done an Almodovar? I’ll check.
“most delectable morsel of melancholy”! I love this post – I haven’t seen the movie, but I’d love to. And the decor you’ve connected to the scenes in the movie is so oddly dreamy. Like!
Just watched this movie while travelling through Africa and totally thought this would make a great Living In post – thanks so much for making my unspoken wish come true!
I’m guessing that I will be dragged to see this by Mrs Jason! Think I’ll enjoy the product placement more than the story – but think of the brownie points!
I love the music and the ambiance of this movie, but I have to say both the movie and the book it’s based on are seriously depressing…
What an extremely good idea to deconstruct a movie and find ways to recreate it / bring it into your life. Awesome idear!
Oh yea, a new beautiful movie for me to watch. Just so you know, I love this category, I looks forward to it, buy whatever shoes you’ve found, I just love it! So, just to let you know, you are amazing ; )
I have to see this movie!!!
Ooh I would live like this. So pretty ;)
Great article by Edmund Morris in New York Review of Books about Bowles and this novel and movie…highly recommend. LOVE this post. Those shoes! d
I love, LOOOOve this movie!!!
you did really well with those accessories here, especially with the luggage, Casablanca fan (gorgeous!), linen towels and the camera!
This makes me want to watch this movie again, and do a little shopping as well ;)
Oh I haven’t thought about this movie in a long time but I have to say this would be in my top 10! Thanks for refreshing my memory!
Amazing post, I wrote about the Sheltering Sky the other week too! We stayed in a hotel in Tangier that had been used for the film when I was living in Morocco, so beautiful. Love it!
This makes me think of A Passage to India. I don’t think I’ve seen a Living In post on that movie yet. It has some serious living in potential. But I love all of these! Thank you, Amy!
OMG! That table, #6 is my table. An old family heirloom that I got rid of at some point in my early twenties because I got tired of moving it and fixing the hinges! Crazy!!! It’s not from France though. And in SF and now it’s in Atlanta! Trust me it’s the same one. The pencil markings inside match mine exactly.
whats up with the nostalgia for colonial africa? huh? the designs from the era were created for white europeans’ enjoyment at the cost of the locals. it says something interesting about contemporary aesthetics that’s worth acknowledging.
Where is my Friday email from Design Sponge?
Lately, the Friday (and sometimes on Saturday) Design Sponge has not been delivered to my email…???? Again, this Friday, no DS. What’s up?
Opps…also, forgot is anyone else having trouble recieving their DS emails?
Hope someone from the site will look into this…and get back to me! Thanks.
Beautiful post, I love the mix of traditional and ethnic elements. (your Live In posts are my favorite, live how you deconstruct the while into elements).
Gorgeous. And that lantern is magnificent! If you haven’t checked out the movie Cracks with Eva Green, it’s also a little gem of beautiful things/wardrobe.
That movie is so stunning. Its so hard not to get wrapped up in both the characters and the beyond breathtaking scenes.
I grew up in Tangier and knew Paul Bowles through intimate circles, may he RIP. The Sheltering Sky is a superb movie and it was great to see the familiar locations in it…
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