In the Media A new furniture and accessories store in downtown Bandra, for all those who still prefer ethnic and aesthetic wooden furniture.
In one of the cozy nooks of Bandra West, lies a new artistic destination - Just Art etc; a place for Restored Period furniture, reproduction antiques, artifacts, curios and other entity for art lovers.
Announcing this arty nook is a sleeper board with pots, vessels and other artifacts stuck to it, giving the name board a novel appearance.
From the panel with the logo imprinted on it, to the furniture and accessories all lined artistically along the ground floor of the building, Just Art etc is an art of lover's treasure trove. A huge temple bell announces the visitor inside the passage lined by massive cupboards of bygone era. At the entrance lies a gigantic genuine `Stuttgart' piano, made in 1926, adding the right element of sophistication to the shop. Each piece has a history to tell, each inimitable by its beauty and panache. It is evident that all artistic items have been selected painstakingly and restored with care and devotion. And the man behind this is Mr. Manohar Khatri, a 46 year-old entrepreneur with varied interests who bestrides effortlessly between Finance, Hotel, Investments and now Fine Arts. |
"Art promotes peace and harmony and is the need of the hour."
Believes Mr. Manohar Khatri, who had this passion for art and restored furniture, and Just Art etc. has realized this dream of his.
The outgoing business slowdown was just the right time for Mr. Khatri to pursue this vision of his. Constantly on the look out for designer and exclusive pieces, he also inovates old furniture to be put to use in diverse ways. A camel seat from Rajasthan has now been transformed to a shelf and astride this shelf are various other artifacts, each vying for attention with its old world grace. A bar unit from Gujarat is a large chest with brass handles opening to house bottles of brew; and this occupies one side of the shop. Wooden low seating sofas with drums forming the side tables are an innovative living room display, while the horse chariot as a base with glass top is the center table. Ladders used in the Himalayan stilt houses are now made use as shelves in Mr. Khatri's Just Art.. etc. Dining chairs in Burma Teak and Rosewood, Chinese vases, Roman Lithographs, 75 years old, Ganesha series in vegetable dye all dot the showroom. 
The ceilings are also display areas for antique fans with rich yellow wooden display areas for antique fans with rich yellow wooden blades and black body. Table Fans of bygone era in gold fins also occupy prime position in this shop.
Grandfather clocks chime away smoothly transporting us back from those ancient times to the present day.
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"Grandfather clocks are an all time favorite with most American families today," explains Mr. Khatri. Surrounding it are beautiful old authentic clocks with modern motors perfectly in tune with the passing times.
An ancient dowry chest waits for its bride, while bankers chest with wooden file units awaits it destination.
Doors in ancient wood have carvings depicting Lord Krishna's birth and childhood. Replicas of sculptures, and paintings (copies) of Picasso, are priceless collectors items.
The aim of this treasure trove has been not only to collect and re-create traditional artifacts but also to make them available to the masses. "There are not many places in Mumbai where you can get otherwise rare artifacts at honest prices." believes Mr. Khatri. 
"The response has been over whelming and hence we are converting the first floor to display more and more of these artifacts." Says Mr. Khatri. Here too an old iron winding staircase has been used to make the first floor accessible from the outside adding to the charm of this place.
So for those who still value genuine wooden furniture and antiques this store is the place to visit, and you will carry home with you memoirs of the by-gone era, for each priceless piece here has a story to narrate. |