Guangzhou: Goelia Concept 225

So much of Chinese design and styling is unnecessarily glamorous and ostentatious that it becomes uninteresting and artificial.  Chinese revel in the new and flashy.  The retail industry is intense in China and sales assistants are abundant and aggressive at promoting the latest products.  Having said this, I was pleasantly surprised to come across Goelia Concept 225 in Guangzhou which is essentially a clothing brand that took over an historic office building and transformed it in to part store, part florist shop, and part exhibition space. The building is lovingly preserved and retrofitted for it's new use.  Furthermore, they regulate the amount of traffic allowed in the store so it's always a comfortable browsing atmosphere.

Murals, mosaics, and stained glass define the entry stair well from the street.

On the second floor a florist shop has millwork made entirely of cedar wood. It makes the place smell great. Goelia paraphernalia (including post cards) is tucked away in a back niche. You can buy stamps at the cashier and mail them from the cute little store mailbox.

The theme for the exhibit was traditional Indian art and imports.  These sketches from the buyer inspired me to buy a sketch book on the spot. Whether I will make use of my purchase is another story.

I love these hand-painted suitcases reminiscent of The Darjeeling Limited.

Some other interesting amenities of the store was a reading room for customers to relax and check out the latest selection of books for sale as well as a private restroom with high-tech occupancy/vacancy signage.  All that's missing is a proper cafe or sweets shop and this place would be perfect.