Indian style in Zurich homes

Niwas in Zurich. Niwas

The owner of a new Zurich shop specialising in Indian furnishings is already talking of expansion.

Gioia Matheson Saulez opened Niwas, which offers reproduction and refurbished Indian furniture, in July, near the banks of the River Limmat.

On entering the shop one is transported into an oasis of calm and beauty.

With its relaxed charm and solicitous staff, it presents a change from the more hurried commercial stores along Zurich’s shopping streets.

Customers are invited for tea and drawn into discussions on travel or the origin of items in the store.

Born into a Swiss-Indian family, Matheson Saulez has lived in both India and Switzerland. She divides her time between her work in Zurich and the colonial home she refurbished in the Indian state of Goa.

Generating the idea

Refurbishing the home in Goa kindled her interest in Indian furnishings.

“Friends and friends of friends coming to my house all liked the furniture and things I had and that gave me the idea to start the shop,” said Saulez.

“Buying the furniture I got to see things from various states within India, to understand the specialities of these regions, and I could also make a lot of contacts.”

Niwas is tapping into a retail trend as it sells unique items of furniture at prices comparable to those of big furniture stores.

“We sell unique pieces that offer a special kind of charm to your house,” added Saulez. “It’s nothing like any other person has – it’s very personalised.”

The Niwas store in Zurich opened more by chance than by design, according to Saulez.

“I was just thrown into it. I had an exhibition for three days last December and had a very good response,” said Saulez. “Then I came across the shop and everything just fell into place.”

Since July trade has picked up. However, as with any new business, finding the financing is a major consideration when getting things started.

“It’s always the money problem – you just have to get someone to have a certain amount of money available and then you can go and fill up a container in India. Everything is very easy it’s just always the money part.”

Travels to India

Visiting India most months Gioia Matheson Saulez enjoys getting involved in the hunt for fresh goods in the bazaars and shops to bring back to the store Zurich.

She is also certain that Zurich customers are more than ready for a taste of India in their own home furnishings.

Many of Niwas’s customers have travelled extensively, while others are open to new styles. She lets customers try the pieces out.

“It’s important that we can trust people so they can keep the pieces for a day or two first of all to see if it really fits into their home,” added Saurez.

She hopes her small business will grow.

“I would like to have a nice old city villa in Zurich and really make and oasis of peace and quietness where people can come and see beautiful things and even have some small Indian snacks. It would be a whole world of India in a homelike setting.”

by Tom O’Brien