I met Karan Chandiramani by chance at a charity event supporting the NGO I work for. When he told me that his company - Indoglobe - manufactured, sourced and supplied bespoke furniture, I of course collared him and told him that I would have to write about it on my blog. Even better, this furniture was available to view at a store in Bandra - which then led me to visit Eastern Treasure! Some of my Mumbai readers seem to depend on me for home furnishing information and I am always happy to oblige by reporting on new finds!
Eastern Treasure may well be a new find to me, but actually the store has existed for eight years. The thing is, that in Mumbai, such places as Eastern Treasure are half hidden. You have to know exactly where they are first. There is little advertising (other than the odd mention in Architectural Digest magazine) and there are usually no shop fronts visible at pavement level. Many of these businesses seem to thrive on word of mouth. However, if that word of mouth is only between locals, it means that us expats can get left out.
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| Super cool aviation style desk (Rs. 1.55 Lakh) with studded swivel chair |
So here we are - I've found the store on the third floor of a building on Hill Road, Bandra and I've been given the tour of the furniture supplied by Karan. Actually, 'Eastern' Treasure is a bit of a misnomer - the showroom is completely different to what I was expecting. I found a style more consistent with a British gentleman's club or library. Karan, tells me that I am not imagining it - as the founder of the store - Renu Chainani (an interior designer who trained in London) strives for this look; masculine sofas and leather club chairs; a desk that looks like it has been made from the wing of a 1930s aeroplane; a studded, leather swivel seat by Timothy Oulton; armchairs with a Union Jack motif; an Indiana Jones style desk - trunk-like and made of leather, and adorned with a stainless steel vintage car model. The trunk desk is matched with a Louis Ghost Chair by Kartell. All around the walls are framed prints of stacked books - everything you could need to create that library feel.
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My personal favourite - Indiana Jones campaign trunk desk (Rs 1.25 Lakh) and
Kartell Louis Ghost Chair (9,500 Rs + VAT...selling out fast) |
But the collection is eclectic - because although there are buttoned back sofas and formal occasional chairs, there is also a large 70s style bubble seat and a couple of bright orange plastic stools. Somehow it works. On display I can also see a big comfortable leather corner suite, a unit housing stacks of manly looking cushions and some unusual, shiny accessories.
If you are into the colonial look - as I am - these furnishings would tie in wonderfully. A strong teak wood bookcase would sit beautifully with the Indiana Jones leather desk for example. Wooden art-deco side tables would look excellent with the leather club chairs. Some of the shiny accessories would look very glamorous on top of a rosewood cabinet.
As you know, I have been to quite a few home furnishings stores in Mumbai - but this has to be one of the first ones I have seen offering something for the style conscious bachelor. If you are guy setting up home in the city (with a few pennies in your pocket) - this is the place for you! And - if you can't quite find what you are looking for - Karan can arrange custom made furniture for you through his company
Indoglobe - which already manufactures tailored-fit items for hotels, projects and restaurants.
For custom made furniture, you can contact Karan directly on 9820052726 / 02 (www.indoglobe.in)
or visit the store :
Eastern Treasure Lifestyle
301, Libra Towers, 3rd Floor, (Above Lakme Salon which is above Play Clan)
Opposite Stanislaus High School,
Hill Road, Bandra West, Mumbai - 400050
Tel 9819102256 or (022) 65548203, 26432565
www.easterntreasure.in
Wow, what eye candies! I have to go check it out!!
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