Gaobeidian Furniture Street

I've decided what I want to "bring home" from Beijing.  

It's a known fact and guaranteed thing here in Beijing.  Us expat wives get to "treat" ourselves once in a while for traveling  living on the other side of the world, away from family and friends for years just so our spouses can build their careers.  We put our lives aside and do what we need to for our hubbies.  This comes with some added perks for us.  Some people want pearls.  Others purses.  Diamonds.  Jade. 

I want furniture.

Is that too much to ask?  Just a small treasure here and there.  And I don't really look at it as selfishness, cause in all practicality - a piece of furniture benefits everyone.  Visually, comfortably, functionably.... the list goes on.  It lasts forever, and I don't have to have a "special occasion" to bring it out.  

This weekend, my friend and I went to Gaobeidian Furniture Street.  This is more than a street my friends.  It's a mecca for us furniture addicts.  It literally made me sweat, smile, and tear up.  The most beautiful, exquisite, gorgeous pieces you can't even dream up I saw.  We were there for a little under 3 hours and didn't even hit but a fraction of the stores.  Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Good's, Restoration Hardware - sorry... you ain't got nothing on this place.

Gaobeidian Furniture Street.  Beautiful.

It was hot, nobody spoke English (except in the high-end store), and we were hungry.  But I gotta tell you - we enjoyed ourselves and laughed like we had been friends for years.  We started off in Lily's Antiques, which is a higher-end store.

Lily's outside view.

Benches and swings - the heaviest wood you have ever sat on.  Of course, when you are this tiny, you don't need to worry.

This is the "antiquey" pottery they had.  But there was plenty of modern, earthy tone ones, too.

Color Pop.  It's like a Schwann Cream Pop.  

Or maybe yellow is more your look.

Can't decide?  Use them ALL!

LOVE the different woods.

And different fabrics.

As my English/German (I use a "/" here because she has a strong English accent, yet speaks in German.  Worldly woman!)  friend sat in this oversized chair, she picked up a magazine that had been placed on it.  OMG... it's her HUSBAND on the cover!  He had an entire interview published about his job in Beijing at Ritz Carlton.  Way to go!

I won't be bringing this piece home, but it's by far the coolest table I've ever seen.  Tiled.  All hand tiled.  And the antlers above I love.  

They've taken a Chinese medicine cabinet and made it functionable.  The little drawers have actually been converted to shelves inside - they are faux drawers!

Beautiful all-weather piece made from cork.

Must.  Have.  Me.  Want.  Very.  Badly.  

Wait a minute.  Want.  This.  More.  

So far all of these pieces were in Lily's Antiques.  Just ONE of the stores on this street.  It has 3 levels, with the bottom being the "modern" stuff, the 2nd floor being antique-fakes (not really Chinese antique wood, but kinda look like it), and the 3rd floor being real authentic, 3000+ year old things.  

Like this opium den.

And these chairs that were $10,000 for one.  Notice the one on the right has a hole in the seat.  I think it was actually more expensive.

After Lily's we were already pretty overly-stimulated, but journeyed anyways one way down the street.  We went in about 1 of every 5 shops we saw.  A lot of shops you don't even need to go inside, because the amazing pieces are outside.  

Like this ridiculous elephant. 

The manes on these lions were AMAZING.  Of course, all hand made.  

My mom's gonna kill me for repeating this story.  My friend will as well.  But when we were admiring these huge beasts, she points and says (in her strong English accent), "Look!  This one's even got a proper _____!"  I.  Lost.  It.  

While walking down the street, we ran into my driver taking a snooze on the job.  I thought it was hilarious.  I haven't shown him these pics yet - keeping them for a good laugh someday.  We love Mr. Yang.

At least he took his shoes off.  Notice them on the top of the car.  

We were lucky enough to see some pieces even being built right before our eyes.  

Of course, not every one appreciates true art and beauty.  This is something I would LOVE to have in my house.  I'm sure my husband would think otherwise.  But to me, this is beauty.  

And this is the most adorable children's piece I've seen.  Great for books on top, toys in the shelf.  Love it.  

And in honor of our special, loved, and missed family in England.