Sometimes in my travels I happen to come across a new shop in Perth that really excites me, and let’s face it – being a well worn, long term shopper it takes a lot to excite me!
But excited was exactly what I became when I ventured down Whatley Crescent in Maylands and stumbled across Chapels on Whatley. At present stuck on a street that is in the process of having a much needed face lift, it looks like Whatley Crescent will come into its own in the next couple of years.
Having foresight in business is one of the most important things if you want a business to succeed and I think what Glenn Bartels has created with Chapels on Whatley demonstrates he has plenty of it. He has seen the amazing potential for this area and has put his money where his mouth is – opening a store that offers a range of eastern influenced home wares that will not break the budget and offering incredible quality and style.
With stock coming in from China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam that’s all hand picked by Glenn, each item is of a quality that is sometimes lacking in imports from this region. He ensures that level of quality by going out to the workshops to ensure high end design and even the most discerning shopper will not be disappointed by what is on sale.
This is not just modern Asian home wares but a fusion of antique and modern that blends both the larger furniture items with some really exquisite smaller items like perfume bottles, fans, divine leather boxes and other gift ware.
I fell in love with an amazing Chinese screen that was beautifully hand made – with a finish like I have not seen since I was in China last year.
This business has been a long term dream for Glenn and, along with Jo Needham, he is hands on with every facet of the business. From the way the stock looks in store to the future directions that it is going to take, this is a business that is evolving as it attracts more people to stop in. Glenn can be found in the store six days a week as he believes it is important to be there for his customers and to listen to what they want so he can make the business a success.
The future certainly looks bright for Chapels on Whatley as they work towards opening a café in the next 18 months to complement the home wares on offer. With old favourite Riffo’s as well as a new Milkd just around the corner on Eighth Ave, Maylands is fast becoming somewhat of a new café strip. Chapel on Whatley’s offering to the eclectic mix will be enhanced with their own range of specially crafted exotic teas.
This store is also not standing still with its interiors and you will often find on a second or third visit things that you have not seen before as Glenn is constantly moving things around to give the store a new look. This works well to give you a real sense of the amazing home wares that he has on offer.
Glenn is aiming to add to his stock by bringing in soft furnishings, day beds, fabric by the metre and he is particularly looking for one-off pieces that will satisfy even the fussiest shopper.
In terms of trends for this year they see a fusion of east and west that will be enhanced by the colours coming from the Beijing Olympics later in the year, as well as a move away from minimalist to a more maxi look that will encourage layering and displaying of treasures in a stylish, no holds barred approach.
If it is an eastern slant that you are looking for in your home, either as part of a room, a total redo or are searching for a special gift then the sensual styling on show at Chapels on Whatley is a great place to start!
