If you're a boy and have been slightly bored by the growing proliferation of Calypso stores, there is now reason to be happy. Calypso Home has arrived, bringing with it a totally funky, eclectic, colorful homestyle that you can really sink your teeth into. This store is fun.
Last week we got into the store with our camera and snapped pics of everything. Calypso Home is ground zero for decorative pillows, blankets and bedding, but they complete the picture with a highly edited selection furniture, lighting, tabletop and accessories. The inspiration is French - with a mix of world cultures seeping in.
Problems? Not too many that we know of. The website is a bit confusing and doesn't really show Home at all. They used to have one store, but now they have three (midtown, downtown and the hamptons) and prices are aspirational, but not out of orbit. If anything, it could be frustrating that the collection changes frequently so you have to leap on it if you like it.
As you check out the store also note the cool use of metal and big beam wood for beds and shelving. Designed for the store by the husband of one of the women in charge, the beds and the shelving are now for sale and can be customized to your home.
I love the silver (and gold) leather square poufs. So cool.
The Indian-style fabric used for upholstery looks amazing, too.
looking at the calypso website it feels like a I have reached a store in some rural part of north/west India.
2 weeks a ago when I was at a store in SOHO - furniture, pillows - I saw a cabinet for 3000 bucks and it was the same - the one my great grandmother in kerala used to store vegetables and dried fish.
Uh, yeah... totally loving this store. No fair featuring on the site when I'm trying to (once again) wrap my head around the concept of "decluttering". ;)
so very beautiful. so very expensive.
Yesterday I posted about a lamp in eBay Scavenger that appears identical to one being sold at Calypso Home:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mercury-Glass-Lamp-medium_W0QQitemZ4433985426QQcategoryZ20704QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
This lamp, offered by the same seller, has to be the same:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Glass-Lamp_W0QQitemZ4433122989QQcategoryZ20704QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
These aren't cheap, but they probably cost less than they do at Calypso.
Exploitation, raising prices that high above what they get it for overseas. And that's with marketing, etc. It's really a shame. I just wish the original suppliers got some of the pie, that's all.
Nice stuff though. I'll take notes like I do at ABC so I can pick some of it up on my next trip to Asia.
The funny thing is that most of this stuff can also be found at places that feature local artisans.
Check out http://www.trunkt.com and the store in Tribeca. That place makes sure the original suppliers get their due.
i finally went there last week to check it out and must say i wasn't that impressed. the store is very nicely done up but barring a couple of pieces of unusual and interesting furniture, the place is full of very ethnic looking stuff from india and morocco that one can find everywhere. (they even had thomas paul pillows in there!). so not sure how their store is different or unusual. i do think her clothing stores carry far better designs.
I really love the ecelctic bohemian style that calypso promotes - but it's just soooo expensive! I just can't justify spending $200 on a PILLOW of all things. But they're so beautiful. Thoughts on any cheaper alternatives??
view nicolemdc's profile
I too went into the store in Soho. I understand mark ups because of customs and the profitability of running a retail store. I also saw items that are at cost no more than $20.00 in Morocco, that held a hefty price of $450.00 in the store. Cheaper to get on a plane and get it yourself and have a nice vacation at the same time. It would also feel better not to be a victim of highway robbery. And I should add, the people in the store are not all that helpful or nice.
view right angle's profile
rip off central. the same stuff is on sale at many lovely smaller stores that have a fair mark up. Plus I have an issue with people hiring staff that aren't knowledgeable about home furnishings and interior decor, just about selling cute outfits.
view savy shopper's profile
i don't normally do this...
i have no personal affiliation with the store, but if you're looking for fair-priced Indian-style pillows covers (sewn from embroidered saris and tapestries), go to Dress Shoppe at 2nd avenue between 5th and 6th (i believe - i always miss them at first). Their pillow covers sell for about $20 each! the place is old and cramped but heaving with Indian goodies. clothes, a few pieces of furniture, deities. plus, the store is run by a real Indian mom and pop and their son. i buy all my indian-style items (except for the few from ebay) there. and you can haggle! i just hate to see chain stores like Calypso take over with their exorbitant markups. just my 2 cents.
view *heather leaf*'s profile
WOW, that looks really yummy!! Can't wait to enter this store on my next visit to New York.
view Petra from Europe's profile