New shops, old charm

Press, 7 September 1976, Page 11

New shops, old charm

Two old houses on just over half an acre of land in Merivale have been developed into a little shopping village complete with lawns, trees and open fireplaces, creating a unique and homely atmosphere. The houses, at 225 and 227 Papanui Road, were built in ‘ the early 1900 s. They were bought recently by Hardy Baird, Limited. The houses have been tastefully redecorated without detracting from their original charm. The grounds have also been attractively landscaped, with the trees, lawns and paths lending some tranquility to the otherwise rushed pace of shopping centres elsewhere along the road. The houses feature four different lines of business. At 225 Papanui Road,

t Hardy Baird offers furnish- [ ings, antiques and bric-a-brac. The company has an ! English-trained interior dei corator, Carolyne Harper, i who advises clients at the i shop or in their own ■ homes free of charge. The other three shops I are in the adjacent house ! at 227 Papanui Road. They include The Playroom, sper cialising in educational toys; The Finishing Touch i by Prudence, featuring • women’s accessories; and • Village Potts, dealing in : quality pottery, silk screen- ■ ing and similar things. i The shops have been : established to blend uni obtrusively , into their • environment. Their wares • are similarly displayed, making it much easier for • customers to visualise how . an item might fit into their , own home.