The new Reefined gift and antique shop at Reef Villa & Spa, Sri Lanka, opened its doors last week in a newly restored clock house building designed by Bernadette Barker and Brendan O’Donnell.
The restored building replaces the original micro gift and antique shop that has long served Reef Villa & Spa’s guests since 2010.
The refurbished three storey clock house building, as with all the buildings at Reef Villa & Spa, reflects Reef Villa & Spa’s proven commitment to the sustainability of the built environment.
Sets of antique Sri Lankan windows have been incorporated into the façade along with antique bricks. Low energy lighting is used throughout out continuing Reef’s policy for 100% low energy lights. Recycled timber has been used for the shelves and a street hawker’s barrow serves as a central display console.
Atmospheric Edison light bulbs combined with cleverly concealed lighting provides for maximum visual impact as well as enhancing the displays. On the façade, the clock now sounds the Westminster chimes as a nod to the heritage of the British and Irish owners.
The entrance into the shop is through a set of antique doors that open into a wonderful eclectic collection of antiques and carefully chosen handicrafts selected for their individuality, quality, elegance and decorative appeal.
The new Reefined gift and antique shop at Reef Villa & Spa now not only offers a wider shopping experience for Reef Villa & Spa’s guests but also fills a gap in the market giving local shoppers, expatriates and tourists an opportunity to buy select handicrafts, giftware, antiques and beachwear not otherwise easily found in the vicinity.
Included in the range of unique, carefully sourced and specially designed items are Ceylon tea planters tiered cake trays, brass tiered tiffins, betel nut crackers, antique wooden spice boxes and limited prints and postcards of Ceylon. Giftware as well as holiday essentials such as elephant print beach bags, casual beach jewellery of shells and mother of pearl, colourful sarongs and an array of sun hats, together with hand printed cushions, block printed hammocks enhance the collection.
Brendan O’Donnell, Managing Director, says that the new Reefined gift and antique shop at Reef Villa & Spa takes account of the growing demand from our guests. Soon he says that the first floor will open up as a gallery to display Reef Villa & Spa’s extensive collection of antique prints.
