Making sense of life
The makers of Karmakamet fragrances launch a unique collection of simple lifestyle items
He introduced us to mesmerising Asian scents through his Karmakamet brand and now Natthorn Rakchana is aiming to do wonderful things to our personal spaces with the launch of his lifestyle shop Everyday by Karmakamet.
Located a few metres down a small alley off Silom, the shop offers a welcome break from the city bustle with aromatic coffee and hot toast. Afterwards, head deeper the warehouse-like structure complete with steel beams and airducts and explore the range of lifestyle items that are simple yet chic.
Opened just a month ago, Everyday by Karmakamet is a zakka-style shop. Zakka means “many things” in Japanese and has also been described as the art of seeing the savvy in the ordinary and mundane. While Karmakamet focused on premium scented products with elegant packaging, Natthorn offers everyday minimalist products ranging from coffee mugs and water glasses, books and pens, cushions and shawls to zip-lock bags and bathroom amenities.
“Feeling overwhelmed by life in the fast lane? Office workers can take a break from their stressful work and enjoy our practical and affordable products while listening to soothing and nostalgic music and enjoying freshly brewed coffee and home-made breads,” Natthorn says.
“The shop may not look beautiful but it’s designed as a place where the weary can relax and recharge their batteries before going back to the daily grind. Our lifestyle products serve your needs from the time you wake up right up until you go to bed.”
The products are divided into five categories. “Eat” refers to foods and drinks that are served at the shop and food-related utensils like mugs, glasses, tumblers, plates and napkins. “Work” offers stationery like pens, notebook and postcard while “ETC” has second-hand clothes, vintage-style umbrellas, foldable nylon shopping bags and more.
Natthorn will introduce two more categories soon. “Clean” will come with goods like fabric softeners and floor cleaners fragrant with lavender and vanilla while “Care” will offer shower gel, soap, lotion and shampoo with essential oils like peppermint and orange
“We also plan to offer a lunch box, salt, sugar, coffee and spices for “Eat” category. The shop is targeted at urbanites between 27 to 45 who think out of the box. These people need a variety of products that are simple, practical, functional and value for money,” he says.
With Thailand entering the Asean Economic Community in 2015, Natthorn is concerned about the survival of small and medium-sized enterprises. Everyday by Karmakamet, says Natthorn, is a business role model and brings together good products by Thai designers who are creative, but lack adequate capital as well as knowledge about brand strategy and packaging design.
Among the products he’s fathered so far from his designer friends are sporty canvas bags from The Sash and leather bags from Buffalo Wing and Sleeveless Garden, cotton shirts and tees by Paul B Garcon as well as sacks and baskets made from unbleached cloth by Fill in the Blank. The ladies will love Labyrinth’s hand-made brass jewellery.
“I want Everyday by Karmakamet to evolve into a cooperative for lifestyle products in the next five years. This jointly owned enterprise will produce products and services based on changing lifestyles,” says Natthorn.
STUFF YOU OUGHT TO HAVE
>> Everyday by Karmakamet is open daily from 10 to 10. It is on the ground floor of Yada Building of Silom Road (BTS: Sala Daeng). Search for “everydaykmkm” on Facebook.
