PUBLISHED April 22nd, 2013 02:43 am | UPDATED July 23rd, 2024 12:52 am
While good taste is highly subjective, there are some people who seems to have an innate sense of beauty, colour and style. These are the people whose homes you go to and you secretly hate them a little bit because you covet everything they own! “Oh this old thing” they say, “ya, I picked that up at a flea market in Amsterdam’ or “mmmm, it’s a vintage sari of my mother’s” that they’ve just happened to fashion in to a deeply stylish, interiors-magazine-ready and enviable tablecloth! Arrrrgh! I know it’s not charming to lust after another person’s fabulous life but I put my hands up and confess, my name’s Zoe and I’m a stylish home-envier!
Thankfully, one of these purveyors of good taste is sharing her impeccable eye and has launched a website featuring all her unique finds; if it’s quirky, colourful and a little bit girly, you’ll find it at Shiva Designs. Everything stocked is different, with a touch of whimsy and a big splash of colour.
Rima, the founder of Shiva Designs is a jewellery designer and it was back in 2005 in Melbourne that she kept meeting artists and designers through her work whose designs she loved. Wanting to showcase her finds, she set up a shop that stocked beautiful, handcrafted, design-led homewares, jewellery and gifts. Fast forward a few years and she’s only gone and done it again, but now in Singapore. Each item is selected by Rima, with an emphasis on quality, design, craftsmanship and style because it is something she would buy for herself. So what you get is a small collection (which will expand every time a new discovery is made) of simply lovely things. Here’s a few of our favourites:
Samantha Robinson
Samantha Robinson’s delightful collection of porcelain is bound to make your mornings a bit brighter. A young, talented potter from Bondi in Australia, her creations are eye-catching, enticing and have a lovely organic, relaxed feel to them. A wonderful combination of modern, chic and a bit like something your granny would own, but in a good way! Prices start at $45
I Wish I Had A Shop
First of all, best name ever! These bright and cheerful lolly necklaces are handmade from Polymer clay by Tasmanian artist ‘I Wish I Had A Shop’. Absolutely love their bright colours and almost have to remind myself that I cannot eat them, they look like a grownup version of those delicious sweetie necklaces. Price: $75
Shiva Designs Bespoke
Rima’s own collection of market finds from her travels, sourced from blogs and little treasures she’s discovered has some wonderful items like these Filagree cuffs, which I love. Delicate and intricate yet strong, with something of the Amazonian princess about them. Prices for the collection start at $30
Shiva Designs offers a small, intimate shopping experience. Don’t expect a huge selection, or for stock to be around forever, but what you absolutely can expect is a collection of beautiful things that will have you coo-ing in appreciation. I’m just hoping that Rima takes another vacation soon, so I can see what wonderful treasures she brings home with her!
Written by Heh Zee