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TOP SHOPS
BOUTIQUE BUYS
While shopping at Phnom Penh’s curio-filled Central and Russian Markets is an absolute must for most visitors, less frenetic shoppers should head over to Angkor Beauty Handicrafts to stock up on locally-produced souvenirs.
Located alongside the National Museum, this treasure trove is easy to find. The boutique’s Cambodian owner, Chan Thary is also quite happy to chat away in English or French and recommend local beauty spots.
Many of the products are sourced through NGO organisations – from street children and disabled people. Silk purses, bags, ties and soft furnishings decorate the shelves, while tables and cabinets are adorned with silver jewellery and wooden crafts. There is also a small selection of hand-stitched silk and cotton clothing for children and adults. 33 Street 178, tel +855 (0)12 945801
NEW FLAME
For a unique and practical memento of your time in Siem Reap, mosey on to Angkor Candles near the Old Market. Based on Angkorian themes and motifs, the candles are sweetly scented with natural essential oils as opposed to man-made perfumes and are available in a range of colours and sizes.
The best time to visit is in the evening, when many of the display candles are lit, casting a magical light and mesmerising shadows of apsaras, Bayon heads and elephants across the shop’s walls. 565 Pi Thnou Street, Mondul 1, Svay Dangkum, tel +855 (0)63 760778
LEGENDARY SILVER
For the best quality silver in town, follow the sounds of the silversmiths’ hammers down Luang Prabang’s Mekong Road to Phothisack Silver Shop and Workshop.
The owner, Mr Phothisack is the son of the silversmith to the former royal family. Their designs are strictly Lao, featuring the famous “three elephant and parasol crest” of the Lang Xang Kingdom. Bowls and belts take months of shaping, with the patterns depicting stories and legends from local culture. 4 Ban Xiengmouane, Kaem Khong Road, tel +856 (0)71 212654
UNIQUE UNDIES
Why should guys be limited to novelty Spongebob designs when they want to put something a little bit different under their trousers? They certainly aren’t in Hiroshima.
King is a New York-inspired men’s underwear boutique that has playful designs based on ’70s and ’80s pop culture motifs. Brands include Japan’s tongue-in-cheek “Over The Twelve” (as in centimetres) with adventurous Y-fronts, eye-popping thongs – and lots in between. Something to suit any occasion! 1F Yanagida Building, Gukuromachi 2-1, Naka-ku, tel +81 (0)82 247-2739
GIFT OF GIVING
Searching for the perfect Christmas present? Look no further than LUXE (www.luxecityguides.com). Choose from their brand-new guides to Cambodia and Laos; or go the whole hog and order a fabulous Asian Grand Tour box set. Whatever title or set you select, you’re guaranteed excellent tips on what’s hot and what’s not – as well as some entertaining prose.
ON THE WALL
World-famous Wallpaper* magazine recently got together with Phaidon and launched Wallpaper* City Guides (www.phaidon.com/travel).
Covering the world’s greatest cities, each one is packed with updated information and practical advice. Among the recommendations in the “Shopping” section of the turquoise Bangkok title are silk designers Almeta (www.almeta.com); Panta’a natural homeware at Siam Discovery Centre; and Siam Centre’s quirky fashion stores (www.siampiwat.com).
Q&A
Khun Vichada Phongsathorn was listed in Elle Décor magazine (Thailand) as one of Southeast Asia’s up-and-coming designers. As well as being responsible for the total design concept of two luxury resorts – Rayavadee in Krabi and Chiang Mai’s The Tamarind Village, the talented Thai also co-owns home textile company, Beyond Living, and opened Quattro boutique in Bangkok last year. We talked to her about her work and passion for life.
When did you first become interested in interior design?
I grew up in an environment where interest and respect for culture and the arts is a way of life. My mother loved to decorate our home, which is how I became fascinated from a young age at how objects can transform a simple home into something really special.
I have also been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to travel and visit beautiful architectural sites, which inspired me so much that I decided to enter the field of interior design.
What are the main inspirations behind your work?
Local culture is the inspiration of my designs and concepts. I love playing with colours, textures and patterns.
Why did you set up Beyond Living?
The question that my partners and I asked was: must decorative items simply decorate and beautify space, or should they decorate life, including one’s feelings and soul? We felt the latter was true and so, in February 2003, we decided to design things that would decorate people’s thoughts and minds as well. We don’t just seek to fill houses with beautiful furniture and decorative items. That is just living in a house. We want to go beyond that – beyond living – and touch their minds.
Why are your textiles and designs so special?
We take years of culture, the intricacies of Thai craft and countless raw materials that the Kingdom has to offer – and marry that with the practicality and creativities of the western world. From this marriage, we get a sort of fusion design of our own.
Our raw materials are from the villages around the country, and include things like reeds and banana bark. They are beautiful and exotic. We utilise many techniques – hand-knitting, hand-weaving, crochet and hand-embroidery. We even weave brass!
What led you to open Quattro last year?
In my position as the Design Director of two hotels, I hand-pick and select the decorations. The end result is a transformation that brings wonders to homes, hotels and other spaces. The immense satisfaction I get from this is what made me decide to set up a gallery and showcase of my own.
What types of product can be found in Quattro?
Assorted decorative items from antiques to custom design pieces. For example, you will find antique mirror frames, wall sculptures, urns, picture frames, lamps and much more.
What do you never leave home without when travelling?
My digital camera, a measuring tape, my ipod and my credit card.
How do you combat the effects of jetlag?
Drinking lots of water and acclimatising to my destination’s time zone by staying active on my first day of arrival.
What is your favourite place to shop in Bangkok?
I like to go to Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market. There, I can find antiques, handicrafts, artefacts, paintings, and all sorts of fascinating decorative items.
You are obviously a very busy lady. How do you relax?
I love what I do, so I am quite relaxed when I get a chance to sit down and design my projects, or simply go out to source for ideas or items. I also enjoy travelling.
What does next year hold for you both?
I am expecting my first child in February, so I will be dedicating my time to raising my baby for at least the first few months before continuing from where I left off.
Beyond Living, 23/61 Sorachai Building 18th Floor, Ekamai, Sukhumvit 63, tel +66 (0)2 714-3109, www.beyond-living.com Quattro, 63 Civic Park Building, Thonglor 13, Sukhumvit 55, tel +66 (0)2 712-5822
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