News just in- a vortex seems to have opened up from the ancient silk road and deposited one of its tents in the middle of Newtown. Overblown introduction? Perhaps, but this place felt like the real deal to me.
With a sloping ceiling covered with colourful linens in imitation of a traditional Afghan tent, a wooden floor peppered with exotic rugs and the entire shop lit by little coloured lamps I wasn't sure whether I'd walked into a shop or my imagination.
Every inch of this shop offers a different and more beautiful item of decoration than the last. There are cushions, rugs, drapes, jewellery, trinkets, clothes and furniture, all uniquely characterised by traditional Afghan patterns. By far my favourite items were the lamps that were dotted around the place. Their coloured glass exteriors meant the light they shed was both romantic and atmospheric and they came in almost every colour. They turn Afghan Interiors into an Aladdins Cave of treasures!
Being of import, all these items are quite pricey but the quality is comparatively good. I may not earn enough to fill my house with this magical stuff, but I will certainly do my best to imitate the shop! I pity my housemates who will constantly be having to take down drapes I've enthusiastically put up to make our house into a tent, and blow out candles I've left lit in tiny little lamps around the room... read more