So what's in Storia?

Walking through the lifestyle shop Storia is like being warmly welcomed into the home of the four owner-partners. The long-time chums who own the place – an interior designer, a fashion stylist, a graphic designer and a marketing professional – have similar tastes in chilling out.

 

“We all love to travel and hunting through flea markets, museum shops and boutiques for things that will cheer up our homes and offices,” says Thanomkhwan Chuttithanawong, the graphic designer, “but most of all we love vintage style. 

 

“I like to collect stationery that’s classic but still functional. My stylist friend loves mix-and-match fashion gear, and the other two enjoy home accessories and fragrant products. So we’re merging fashion, decoration and vintage here.” 

 

Despite its compact size, the store offers thousands of eye-catching items to brighten up everyday life. There are “rooms”, loosely set out for convenience. The living room has drawers and cabinets full of clothes for men, from ties, cufflinks, belts and wallets to rings and pens, as well as clocks, picture frames, candleholders and crystal perfume bottles in classic European styles.

 

“The fashion items are for mixing and matching,” says Thanomkhwan. “There’s a wide range of ties and bow ties by Paul Smith selected from Japan, and you can have fun playing with the pins and scarves by Japanese designers. 

 

“Some customers even come in wearing plain outfits so they can try mixing and matching the accessories.”

 

The dressing room has more clothes and accoutrements, mostly streetwear but also many adventurous pieces. You can find Veja sneakers from France, clothes by Lavin en Bleu, Pinceau ties and Missdeco hats for gals and guys, alongside graphic T-shirts from Hong Kong and messenger bags and canvas backpacks from Japan. There are plenty of two-tone canvas shopping bags too.

 

The sitting room offers crystal ware, porcelain and fragrant products like hand cream, body lotion, shower gel and scented candles, plus many aromatic teas. 

 

“We try to select unique and sophisticated handcrafted blends with good packaging, such as Bellocoq from the US, Kusmi from France, Singapore’s TWG and Japan’s Green and Flavors,” Thanomkhwan explains. 

 

“Also perfect for the home are scented indoor candles and Diptyque room sprays, fragrant skincare lotions by the local brand Karmakamet, and aromatic ornaments by Ballon in Japan. 

 

“Then there are the Knowles collector plates, hand-painted fine china with famous scenes by Norman Rockwell and James Auckland. They’re still in the original boxes and come with certificates of authenticity.” 

 

Thanomkhwan’s favourite area is the work room, which is piled high with exactly the kind of stationery she loves – old-fashioned but still ready to use. The “macaroons” from Laduree of Paris aren’t the French sweets but stylish notebooks, stickers and masking tape. 

 

“Laduree and the Japanese brands are my favourites. You can get journals, pens and pencils, calculators, playing cards and magnetic mini-frames to suit every working mode.”

 

ALL YOU NEED

<< Storia is on the ground floor of the Eight Thonglor Building on Soi Thonglor 8, off Sukhumvit 55. 

<< It’s open Monday to Thursday from 11am to 8pm and Friday to Sunday until 9pm. 

<< Find out more at (02) 714 7718 and the Storia page on Facebook.