I was to pick up a small parcel from Amazon. The carrier had delivered it to the wrong address, which made me mad, of course. It was on the outskirts of the town, at a petrol station shop.
After I left the service station with my parcel, I got rewarded by the sight of a very special store nearby. In fact it was more like a long shaped warehouse. The sign read "In and Out Design". It shared the vast open space on which it was set up with an adjacent big cat and dog shelter . A bit further - a strawberry field . The whole space used to be one big strawberry field, now only a marginal part of it is allocated to the growing of the delicious fruit (Agriculture, like many other good things in this country, is rapidly deterioratng).
warehouse look
narrow entrance
When I entered the place , I felt like floating in the the world of the arabian nights : all magic around - a multitude of lights and colours , furniture, plants, light fixtures, some statues and statuettes - new and vintage - all collected by the owner from all over the world.
The store also offers design advice by architects and other professionals.
bamboo items
lightfixtures
plants
plants
'You'll have to come back during the day hours to have a better look', I said to myself. I doubt it , though, whether I'll buy anything; not only because of the high prices, but also because I'm in the phase of minimalism and simplicity. Here, it seems they've managed to turn even the simplest natural bamboo stick into some sophisticated item.
sign in hebrew indicating the cats & dogs shelter
On Fridays between 11:00 and 14:00, adoption of cats and dogs takes place in the area near the design store. Big event for both the adopters and the adoptees!
I remember asking a neighbor of mine how much she paid for her puppy. 3 - was her hesitant reply. 3 hundred? No, 3 thousand came her answer. Well, why pay so much, when you can get one for free at this gorgeous adoption center:)
The store sounds like one to browse in, not necessarily buy from especially downsizing. Those pet shelters on the other hand should sell out if it weren't for the people who want designer dogs. Irritates me when there are so many needing homes. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteThe pet shelter has nothing to do with the design store. The pets are not designer pets. They just share the vast space (which was once a strawberry field).
DeleteI'm in a phase of minimalism and simplicity like you but I still like to look at things like the bamboo items. Here in Japan, puppies and kittens are also crazy expensive and I've never seen or heard of a shelter here. I think adopting from the shelter is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThe shelter/adopting center is indeed a great idea.
DeleteI never cease to look at nice things; it's human. However, I try to refrain from buying things that are not strictly neccessary.
Well, Duta, at least the inconvenience of having to go and pick up your package was mitigated by a visit to this interesting emporium. As you say you probably won't buy, but it's fun to look.
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed myself at the store, so it was time well spent after all. 'Emporium' - the word has a nice ring to it.
DeleteSometimes good things come from being taken out of your way
ReplyDeleteRight. Sometimes, we get pleasantly surprised by circumstances that irritate us in the first place.
DeleteThe store seems a nice place to enjoy beautiful decorations and plants.
ReplyDeleteI like those big pots, Duta; but I will not get them either :)
Indeed, it's a place that allows us 'to feed our eyes' , as they say, on the beauty around us.
DeleteLooks like little hidden heaven! There is nothing I like more than home decor and furniture stores, possibly even more than candystores and teastores :) We don't have any of the home decor chain stores in my city, sadly, and when I go to Novi Sad or Belgrade they are usually not on my way.
ReplyDeleteDo you have cats or dogs, Dutie?
Yes, it's definitely a 'hidden gem'.
DeleteThese home decor stores are usually located on the outskirts of the city. So you'll have to go there to find one.
As to your question, I'm more of a birds' lady.
That would be an interesting store to explore! I too am a minimalist and only buy if absolutely necessary, so I wouldn't buy but I always enjoy looking at things. Its a shame you had to retrieve the package though; you would have thought if Amazon messed up they should have sorted it out themselves.
ReplyDeleteWe love corgi dogs and had one that we paid $400 for as a puppy back in 2004. Recently at the shopping mall here at the pet store was a corgi puppy for $3800. No way! Payment plans to get a dog?? I don't think so :) We haven't decided yet if we are going to get another dog, but we will get it from a shelter or rescue if we do.
betty
The word 'explore' is the very right word here. In and Out Design is a big place with lots of attractive stuff. One has to do a bit of exploration even if one doesn't intend to buy a thing.
DeleteI'm waiting for Amazon's reply to my complaint.
Wow -- that looks like a fabulous shop. I could get lost in there. I'm all for adopting a shelter or rescue pet when possible. I know some people have their hearts set on a certain breed and I get that, but for me, there are so many animals who need a home. Stimpy and Gypsy both "came" to me. Lizzie was rescued by a colleague with her kittens. No one wanted the mom. It was a tough transition but I adore that little girl now and she's so sweet. I wouldn't give her up for the world. Someone lost a good one when they let her go.
ReplyDeleteJeanie, you're an amazing person treating rescue pets with love and compassion, giving them a loving and responsible home. And now they are a wonderful addition to your family.
DeleteThat's crazy to pay such a lot of money for a dog only because it's a famous breed ! there are so many unhappy dogs in a shelter, I have always had cats but they all came from a shelter ! And they were all cute and intelligent and lived almost 20 years. Now I still have two.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Why not get a free of charge cute cat or dog with all the tests done by a vet, and and clear instructions given by the shelter volunteers ? People probably have too much money and throw it away on what they could get for free.
DeleteI like bamboo too. That's a nice looking shop.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of pay for a pet. My daughter's dog just had puppies and she already has homes lined up for them and she's giving them away to her friends for free.
Good for your daughter and the puppies! A friend- giver is a reliable source, and friends' homes for the puppies are the best!Money's not all. Generosity, genuine care for the puppies are most important.
DeleteYeah, I always support adoption, so many pets in need that need our help! Have a lovely weekend ☺
ReplyDeleteKudos to you, Natalia! That's the way to go. Society needs more people like you who feel for the pets in need.
DeleteEven though the package delivery mistake was frustrating and annoying, as it is here too, what a nice surprise you found in that shop. We have also adopted cats and dogs when we were pet owners. It’s the only way to go in my opinion. The same hilds true fir humans.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, sometimes annoying things lead to pleasant surprises, as was in the above case.
DeleteSo, I gather that now you're no longer pet owners. Well, there comes a time when it becomes difficult to care for pets.
It was nice that your annoyance at the parcel (non-delivery) was turned around by finding this shop... a pleasant experience to browse even if not to buy anything.
ReplyDeleteAll good wishes to you Duta, and thank you for your thought-provoking and pleasant blog posts throughout the year.
Warmest regards, Sue ~😊🎄💖~
The store sure softened my frustration regarding the parcel's wrong delivery.
DeleteThanks Sue for your kind words.
Wishing you all the joy in the world!
I like bamboo and cane, too. I have quite a bit of it (furniture)...it has a lovely, relaxed feel about it.
ReplyDeleteAmazon (or the courier service) did you a favour by the looks of it! :)
I'm glad you like bamboo too. Unlike wood, it's light and easy to handle and care for. The only shortcoming in our parts, is its price.
DeleteIsn't it wonderful to find hidden treats we never expect to see while out and about? That store looks totally fabulous! Adopting pets is definitely the way to go for sure. Hugs, RO
ReplyDeleteIt sure is. The store, though unappealing from outside, doesn't disappoint. It's quite a treat to the eyes.
DeleteAdoption day is a day of hope for both pets and the people looking for one to give it a home and loving care.
Nice that you got a "reward" of an adventure for going all the way to pick up a parcel!! Where we live is also famous for bamboo crafts, and they are beautiful, mostly simple...I like to look at them, but I also have rarely bought any!! I remember you love fruit, so I wonder if the strawberries are in season there? It would be pretty to see the fields of strawberries, or even whatever are left♡
ReplyDeleteI guess bamboo is more affordable in Japan than in my country.
DeleteThe strawberry season is just starting. Well, there are strawberries at the supermarket but I believe they are from greenhouses not from the fields yet, and they're quite expensive.
Thank you for taking us with you on your visit to that fabulous store. I so very much love it when you take us along on your adventures. I agree on the animal adoption, as well. Loved this post, DUTA.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you, Bica.Thank you for going along with me in my post.
DeleteHave a wonderful New year!
I LOVE bamboe too. Chanukkah Sameach for you.
ReplyDeleteWell, you've got good taste, Aritha.
DeleteThanks for the wishes.
I hope you've got a great Christmas, and now you're expecting a great New Year!
Wishing you a fabulous New Year, indeed!
Oh, the bamboo is beautiful! I remember your post about growing bamboo and often look at the little plants at the store. I know if I get started, I'll be hooked! I'm afraid my resistance is fading.... ;)
ReplyDeleteThe little plants at the store are called "lucky bamboo" , but they don't belong to the bamboo family - the one which is the source of furniture and various kitchen items.
DeleteNevertheless, I'm hooked about them , and I have about 30 plants. These plants are an integral part of the chinese philosophy of feng-shui design. I take from this philosophy only what suits me, not the entire set of rules.
It is sometimes strange how things turn out! From the inconvenience of having to go and pick up your parcel you had an unexpected visit to this store. I did enjoy your photographs, and sometimes it is just nice to look at new and different things.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Strange things happen to us all the time. We hope for 'good' strange things.
DeleteI'm glad you liked my photos. The light was not very good for photography.