The Godown, seriously – you should go down!
PUBLISHED February 1st, 2013 01:44 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:57 pm
So, picture the scene, I’ve just done my weekly shop at Great World City and my trolley is pretty full (not the most exciting opener, but bear with me here!) when I discover that the lift is not working. Total fail. With 5 heavy bags laddered up each arm, digging deep grooves into my flesh, clanging against my legs (oh the eggs! please don’t let them break!) and the ever-impending possibility of a bag disintegration, I scurry up the escalator, through the shopping concourse and out to the taxi rank, cursing Great World City and their shoddy mechanics with every step. I’m hot, bothered, exhausted and slightly appalled by my negligent upper body strength, when….suddenly like a mirage, I see a beautiful shop appearing through a hazy horizon. Ok, when I say hazy horizon, I mean 4 lanes of busy traffic but lets not nit-pick!
Yesterday I returned to the spot to see if what I saw was a manifestation of insanity or did Great World City really have a very cool new neighbour, and I’m pleased to say that I am not crazy and yes! there is an amaaaazing new shop, just opened on Zion road and it’s full of absolute gorgeousness!
Called The Godown (historically in Singapore, a ‘godown’ was a warehouse commercial building on the riverfront for storage of goods in-transit to its future home destination across the world- hey! you learn a new thing every day), this compact little boutique is full of one-of-a-kind homewares and accessories.
It’s the passion project of Audrey Lee, an Interior Designer here in Singapore and Annie Ahman who is based in Bali. When finishing off a interiors project Audrey would often struggle to find those last but so important flourishes, the trinkets and accessories that make a room. On her travels she would purchase unique pieces for her projects, when it occured to her, that if she was having this problem, the rest of us probably were too. A few pow-wows and round-the-world inspirational sourcing trips later, Audrey and Annie came up with The Godown. Good call ladies! The result is a collection of unique finds, and inspiring got-to-have pieces, each of which have a unique story because they’ve been sourced for their individuality and quirkiness.
From the discreet, smart, red-brick shop house exterior, to the casual living-room style interior layout, and the warm welcome, ‘glass of water? would you like a biscuit?’ I have to be honest, this is totally my kind of shop. I’m delighted to have it so near and also slightly concerned that my tiny apartment is going to end up looking like a Christopher Columbus grotto, because I ended up leaving with a couple of lovely, lovely things, all in the interest of Nomad research you understand.
As a rule whenever I go away, I always buy some unique item from every country that will serve as a wonderful reminder and effectively a catalogue of my travels, and ultimately my life. Well, it seems I could have saved myself all the carrying and excess baggage fees, because one trip to The Godown and you’re in a market in Indonesia, Papa New Guinea, or Thailand. There are only a few pieces of each item, and everything has the same tactile, inviting quality, but it’s the stories that get you in the end.
For example.. glass dishes have been collected from the trash by a salvager and designer friend of Audrey’s in Bali. They are cleaned..thoroughly! smoothed and smartened up, but are essentially just a recycled, gin bottle ($39). Next to them are amber vintage apothecary jars from Indonesia ($79).
an intricate shell necklaces are handmade in Papa New Guinea….. ($149); and rotund little vases are from Vietnam, hand glazed so each one is unique (starting at $49 for the small). The Godown also carries a selection of reproduction vintage prints, pre-framed for your convenience ($59) so no trip to Ikea necessary (yeh we all do it)!
Superbly, The Godown caters for all budgets so objects of beauty are not out of reach. You expect everything to be hugely expensive because it looks sleek and exclusive; as a store it’s beautifully put together, and resembles a collection of exquisite artefacts rather than the truth that everything from the furniture to the trinkets are for sale. But there are some real gems in there for fantastic prices. Sure there are also some astonishingly expensive pieces, but there’s something rather nice about looking at a price tag and seeing $1, 400, and then looking at another and seeing $39. It’s very clever, and accessible, and inclusive.
The Godown is quite frankly, my new favourite place. Beautiful curated items from inspirational locations, a warm inviting welcome, it’s a great concept, flawlessly executed …so be prepared to stay a while!
A heads-up, there’s a neat kitchen area which I am told will soon be launched as an intimate cooking school, with a variety of visiting chefs. The plan is to have cooking lessons and it will also be available for private hire. Shopping for vintage treasures AND eating delicious food simultaneously?? Seriously! My favourite place. We’ll keep you updated on this.
Written by Heh Zee
