The other day our Ahamu service got a question regarding Home Decor in Colombo and we realized we hadn’t been too diligent about covering places where you buy things for your home. To fill this gap in our coverage we trotted/tuked off to our neighbors Gandhara.
Now Gandhara is more a high-end decor empire than a shop. Along with its off shoots and affiliates the store occupies an entire swathe of Stratfrod Avenue. Inside the many-floored, several-roomed emporium you can find everything from antique Chinese cabinets and figurines from South Indian temples to more pedestrian items like candle stick holders and forks.
There are lot of very lovely things here – the collection of wooden horses and some of the Sri Lankan bronze work is quite exceptional however nothing is inexpensive.
You’ll struggle to find anything in the whole huge space for less than Rs 3000. That’s not to say your getting poor value for money- nice things are expensive and for certain big ticket items Gandhara prices aren’t worse than any where else. You can pick up a nice sofa set for Rs. 60 000 and carved antique pettiyas for Rs 100 000 which is the same priced you’d pay anywhere else. For unusual and attractive wedding gifts it’s worth checking out. From Rs. 3000 and up you’ll find some boxes and bowls that should serve as worthy gifts.
The sheer size of the place means it’s more or a one stop shop than paradise road/barefoot (no furniture) and it’s a pleasant place to wander about- there’s a Barista’s attached and Cafe Che is next door so you can grab lunch/coffee and browse the beautiful things. Good for window shopping and the odd big ticket gift- but of course if you have the means and inclination to pick up a Rs 300 000 antique wooden horse- well go ahead… I would.
