AT the debut of the new Tabateek home accessories shop and cafe, visitors first noticed the unique array of items gathered from around the globe and then enjoyed the coziness of its living-room atmosphere as they savored coffee, juices and appetizers.
Located on Ilya Abo Madi Street near Alshurrafa Cafe in Jeddah, the new shop is a dream realized for owner Nuha Bokhari who opened the place with her husband’s help. The name, Tabateek, refers to an old Arabic word meaning home accessories. She got the idea for the shop while traveling abroad with her husband.
“Home accessories shops attracted me more than any clothing shops,” Bokhari told Arab News. “I used the word tabateek to refer to these items, so my husband suggested I use it for this place.”
Prices of items at the shop range from SR60 into the thousands, but Bokhari said the idea is to have a selection of accessories perfect for a friend’s birthday or a memorable wedding gift.
Tabateek also is an art gallery of sorts, with some paintings created especially for the shop by a Lebanese artist along with signed lithographs from around the world. “It’s true I like paintings, but because I like them I don’t like to display them all around the place,” Bokhari said. “So people won’t get bored from seeing them all the time. I prefer to hang them on sliding doors as if being hidden, to keep an interesting sight for the observer.”
Bokhari said most of the accessories and gift item come from France, Italy, Lebanon, Holland and Japan. She said she goes through many places to get different styles and designs to suit a wide variety of personal tastes. For example, she has handmade blankets and bedroom curtains from Holland, unique candles that light yet don’t melt and handcrafted jewelry boxes from Lebanon.
Obviously, business changes during Ramadan, but Bokhari thinks her customers will be pleased. “Especially now during the holy month of Ramadan as the place has taken a new surprising theme.” What will that theme be? The only way to find out is to pay Tabateek a visit.
