Curios from around the world

We never seem to tire of coveting those mysterious trunks and vintage crockery sets as part of our dream home. If you've been deterred by the logistics of procuring that lovely couch from Italy or are afraid that crockery would have to be a no-show thanks to its fragile tag, Sidewalks of the World could serve as a great option. The three-tiered home store looms large and is located right opposite Mt Carmel Church. Divided into mezzanine, ground and lower ground levels, it is choc-a-bloc with opulent curios and artefacts.

Top-view of the store Sidewalks of the World. Pics/ Pradeep Dhivar

Greeted by the store manager, Neha Raut, a show around was what we wanted. We were informed that most of the objects, from furniture to cushions and crockery to curios, were sourced from Europe.

Rajeev Biyani, the co-owner of the store, explained, "We wanted to marry artists and handmade objects. We are now looking at sourcing objects from South America and Mexico.

After that, Australia, Philippines and Japan are definitely on the cards while China is a big no-no."

From kitsch to classy, the store offers miniscule quirk objects such as toilet paper or pasta fridge magnets ('890), porcelain figurines (Lladro style as per Biyani), several brass or metallic objects turned into lamps (check out the jars' lamp, too), kettles that beguilingly look like bookcases and miscellany.
The store requires a wad of notesu00a0as even tidbits such as bottle stoppers are priced at '990.

At Sidewalks of the World, opposite Mount Carmel Church, Bandra Reclamation, Bandra (W). CALL 26407172
Log on to https://www.facebook.com/sidealksoftheworld?fref=ts

Our Top 5 picks

Figurines of professionals
Quirky and worth a laugh, these figurines are available for all sorts of professions, such as chefs, butchers, tailors, lawyer, doctor et all.
Cost: Rs 14,990 for the photographer

Customised cushion covers
The covers have various vintage designs that are exclusively customised for the store. With options galore, one certainly has freedom
of choice. Cost: Rs 1,351 onwards

Porcelain figurine
The store has commissioned Sibania, an Italian brand to churn out these detailed porcelain figurines where even the fabric is dipped into porcelain to maintain perfect ripples. Cost: Rs 44,990

Bar stools
These Italian bar stools come with a spring mechanism and are considered the pride of the place. Cost: Rs 75,990

Sewing machine-turned- lamp
A sure bet to grab eyeballs, various metallic objects such as gigantic horns, trumpets along with this sewing machine serve as lamps. Watch out for this an in-house speciality. Cost: Rs 52,990 for sewing machineu00a0