A B.I.G. heart for design

You’ve left it a bit late, but you’ve still got one day to grab some of the savings at the Bangkok International Gift and Housewares Fairs at Bitec in Bang Na. Prices are sliced by 20 per cent on goods from more than 600 local manufacturers.

The twin fairs’ theme is “Heart of design and lifestyle showcase of Asean”.

There are many, many pieces of stationery, furniture, home decor, kitchenware and handicrafts to browse through, so let us mark some stars on your map to get you to the best deals quicker.

First stop is P’Liv’s corner of creative stationery in bright shades. Notebooks, bookmarks and mobile-phone bags are printed with cute cartoon motifs, but the highlight seems to be the canvas handbags, shoulder bags, totes, laptop carriers and coin cases.

Anita Silk, established in 1959, devotes its shelves to Eleph lifestyle gear aimed at local youngsters. You can find polyester-taffeta beach bags that double as elephant dolls, along with slippers, ceramic mugs, hats, multipurpose bags, phone straps and name-card holders.   

Newcomer Savas evokes a homey atmosphere with compact, natural-shade teak furniture. Scraps of wood salvaged from lumberyards become side tables, clothing racks, bookshelves and an entire work-table set – clock, book stand, pen holder, stool and lamp.

Veteran artist Thavorn |Ko-udomvit’s Ardel Design catches the eye with attractive leather accessories that are simple, functional and durable. Grab an earth-tone camera strap, tape measure, belt, handbag or shoulder bag.

Alongside is New Folder by Saprang, packed with brass jewellery. The approach is simple and traditional, inspired by the beauty of nature. The necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings are all marvellously crafted.

The Remaker is another standout with its fashion gear and home decor made from used cloth, old billboards and discarded inner tubes. There are smart handbags and shoulder bags made from denim, leather jackets and corrugated pants, black pencil bags and vases and vivid wallets.
But don’t miss the rubber “jigsaw pieces” that can be fit together to form a tissue box, necktie, handbag, lamp or coaster.

And finally, have a look at the A.T.R General Supply booth, where dolls are ready to fill your home, all hand-made from printed cotton and polyester. Exported to Europe, North America and Japan, they include plastic bag holders, gloves, baskets, aprons, potholders, towels and doorstoppers.

Quickly, now
<< The Bangkok International Gift and Housewares Fairs end today at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Bitec) in Bang Na.
<< Get there between 10am and 9pm.
<< Find out more at 1169 and www.BIGAndBIH.com.