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Two new furnishing stores fuse ecology with economy, but while Zeba aspires to deliver a degree of exclusivity at a bargain, Yamini sticks to its formulaic mass-produced chic style

Two new furnishing stores fuse ecology with economy, but while Zeba aspires to deliver a degree of exclusivity at a bargain, Yamini sticks to its formulaic mass-produced chic style

Candidly admitting that this branch of the lifestyle store doesn't offer as much variety as its other outlets, Dinesh Negi, Yamini's Retail Manager, Operations, draws your attention to a new addition. "We have introduced an organic collection," says Negi, explaining that though the collection is currently limited to bathrobes (Rs 1,300) and hand towels (Rs 225 for sets of 4), "We plan to extend the product range." The store at Phoenix Mills also stocks curtain fabric (Rs 650 to Rs 2,000 per metre), bedsheet sets (Rs 900 onwards for single-beds and Rs 1,200 onwards for double-bed size), cushions (Rs 200 onwards), napkins (Rs 40 per piece), table and bed runners (Rs 450 onwards) and cotton tote bags in bright, summery shades (Rs 435 each). Beach/grocery bags woven out of plastic (Rs 450) have been designed for resilience, and baskets woven out of jute or plastic make for great storage solutions (Rs 450 onwards for plastic baskets, Rs 185 onwards for Jute varieties).

We loved the bright prints on the store's range of quilted throw cushions, modestly priced between Rs 395 and Rs 1,290 and a set of beaded napkin rings (Rs 395 for 6). The store does not customise products however, and while their tailors can drop by to measure your windows, stitching doesn't fall under Yamini's list of services.

Zeba, on the other hand, has a project division that you can coordinate with if you'd like to work on designs for your home. "We've got a small range of furniture now," says designer Krsna Mehta. Telling us that Zeba was working towards packaging both, style and affordability in its new collections, Mehta offered the example of a set of circular coasters (Rs 99 for set of 6) and revealed, "These were made out of the extra cut-off fabric that would otherwise be wasted. The idea is to transfer the cost-saving benefit to the customer." The same principle, we noted, was applied to a modish series of footstools, the design of which had negated the use of wood, thereby affording these a price tag of Rs 7,650 as compared to wooden footstools which were priced at Rs 10,800 onwards.

Though the store had a limited range of products designed in Mehta's trademark kitsch style, he says it's the cru00e8mes, beiges and browns that fly off the shelves.u00a0
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Atu00a0Zeba, Shop No. 20, SkyZone, High Street Phoenix. Call: 65209708.
Yamini, Shop No. 1. Call: 30404437