Stylish Home Décor and Lifestyle Boutique in Tianhe

Clock, RMB148

"Here they are!” Ms. Gao exclaims after seeing her dream tea set on display at a boutique. “I've been looking for them everywhere!" The tea set is of a simple and stylish design, like many of the other items in the store.

Located near a subway entrance in one of the busiest shopping malls in Tianhe, the lifestyle boutique offers the tranquility of country style. The owner, Mr. Zhang, has worked in the foreign trade business for years. His travel experience has exposed him to many fashionable household boutiques, each with its own unique characteristics.

Having established a solid network with many export factories, Mr. Zhang decided to open his own store, which led to the birth of Si Zhi Sheng Huo Guan in early 2007. Items sold in his store come from factories directly and many are the company's house designs, which are mainly sold abroad.

Jewelry boxes, from RMB58 to RMB 118

Season containers, RMB58

From a 15 Yuan purse to a 1000 Yuan chest-of-drawers, almost everything in the boutique looks like something you would find in a Japanese comic book, TV drama or in someone's dream country home. The shop owner hopes to offer a selection of unique and useful household items that are natural and simple in style. Even the most tiring and mundane household tasks, such as cooking, can be turned into a form of art by using products selected from such a collection. Jewelry, newspapers, letters and TV remote controls - even a key - can find a lovely and stylish home at the boutique.

To maintain the characteristic of uniqueness, the boutique provides small numbers of each product. "Much of the merchandise is of limited quantity," says Ms. Li, the manager. "We don't consistently carry the same lines of products, so we usually suggest that customers not wait too long before buying. When something leaves the shelf, it is hard to know when it will come back."

Small basket RMB 28

As can be clearly seen, customers don't need much persuasion, even though prices can sometimes be surprising if compared to ordinary-looking necessities. "Our prices are quite low compared to our competitors since the products come straight from factories; however, you get what you pay for – quality items come at a price."

Full of dreamy designer household items, the boutique attracts not only customers. "Some walk in and ask about joining as a chain store, but we don't really do it that way. We just opened a second shop in Shang Xia Jiu this year, and the third one is coming soon." Ms. Li smiles while introducing the future plan. "The living standard in Guangzhou has risen and people care much more about lifestyle and quality now. We are trying to be a place that everyone, from kids to the elderly, can find something they would like to have in their homes."

"I am definitely coming back," says Ms. Gao as she heads home happily with her newly purchased tea set.

Source: Lifeofguangzhou.com

Editor: Zhu Yanshan