The Chic side of Colombo

If you've been inspired by the beautiful interiors of Shanth's Gallery Caf or the gorgeous Tintagel Hotel, then Paradise Road is the place to find his incredible interior designer pieces. This idyllic colonial house is full to the brim with iconic household items and furnishings, from larger-than-life bulbous stone sculptures of human heads, to unusually detailed elephant serviette rings. Upstairs you can treat yourself to Kolu cooking sauces, homemade jams, designer crockery, and a personal favourite: serene, hand-shaped stone tea-light holders, which cradle little candles to really set the mood for any candle-lit dinner. Don't miss the coffee shop on the top floor, selling giant pieces of pure indulgence in the form of double chocolate cheesecake.

High Street and Designer brands

From here it's a short walk to Sri Lanka's famous department store, Odel at No. 5 Alexandra Place, and with high-street and designer brands, a joyful kid's toy section, and a great food court with ice creams and sorbets, there is really something for everyone to enjoy. Parents can leave the little ones in the supervised play-area on the top floor, whilst Mum tries on the new pair of shoes she's been meaning to buy for ages.

Right around the corner is White Spa Ceylon 5, Alexandra Place, Colombo 7, wellness retreat for mind, body & soul and a welcome break from your busy shopping spree. Here you can pamper yourself and buy infused, organically grown products, including massage oils, soothing body scrubs and the popular lemongrass bath tea.

After this refreshing stop, you can head on to the popular Coco Veranda, only a short walk away at 32 Ward Place. Buddhi Batiks is a lovely designer boutique dress shop, providing a retro-modern take on vintage shapes and designs made from sumptuous silks. As the name suggests, all the pieces show simplified Batik motifs, printed on bold greens, pinks and yellows to make everything from long gowns and handprinted shoes, to matching bags and hairties.

Upstairs, Arugam Bay has two small rooms which cater for the contrasting markets of chilled-out surfers, with their beach dresses and flip flops, and high-fashion enthusiasts, with designs straight off the catwalk at Colombo Fashion Week.

Something little different

If you're after something a little different, the next stop provides just that. The National Museum and the huge Laksala Museum Shop next door will leave you with pearls of knowledge about Sri Lanka, and some souvenirs to match. Laksala covers the art and artisans from all over the country, including the mask makers of the South, the high-end leather designer market, bejewelled elephants and both the old and contemporary wood carving traditions. If there's anything you missed out whilst travelling the country, you can pick it up here, with informative displays and reconstructions of the Sri Lankan trades. You can also enjoy a quick drink in the Barista coffee shop by the entrance, before exploring what Colombo has to offer you for the rest of your shopping excursion.

You might not have expected to pick up beautiful china crockery with distinctive Japanese designs but here you can get stuff to match your designer dress from Noritake chinaware store opened, and can still be found at 309 R. A. De Mel Mathawa, Colombo 3. It's named after the tiny village where the crockery is made, and has retained all of its old charm.

If you're after the original young Sri Lankan designers, you need to head further out of the city, to Melache, at No. 29/3 Visaka PVT Road, Colombo 4. Their motto, 'Where dressing chic is an art' will certainly ring true as you explore the many local labels housed there. Their patrons are proud to wear Sri Lanka's own design talent, and enjoy receiving the 'Audrey Hepburn' shopping experience in the bridal changing room upstairs, cordoned off with beautiful silk drapes. This shopping experience is uplifting, as fashion should be, and Melache will add more than one sparkle to your wardrobe. Do note that the shop is not on the street but off to one side, so make sure you ask when you get there - you wouldn't want to miss out on this amazing designer place.

Read the rest here:
The Chic side of Colombo