Beijing is not the best city when it comes to kitting out your house with creative furniture brimming with personality and flair. In fact, let’s face it – our fair city is downright lacking in small furniture stores with character. Thankfully, if you are looking for something for a special occasion or to burn some of your bonus, the Dairuhe Handmade Art Store at Xinyuan Nanlu is a solid option to do just that.

Dairuhe is full of goods carried over by Japan

The name dairuhe (待入荷) means waiting for the arrival of goods, which luckily you won’t have to do once you’ve perused and filled your basket with household furnishings, accessories, tableware, and other knick-knacks that were personally carried from Japan by the owners.

Rock candy-like houses by Satoko Narita & Mellow Glass

The unique items are spread out across the store’s airy two-floor space, which is made immediately appealing thanks to its white façade, and is just as dedicated as looking good inside, using lighting that’s reminiscent of a museum’s. What’s more, that theme continues, with the owners inviting artists to hold monthly exhibitions at the venue. This past month’s exhibit was conducted by Satoko Narita & Mellow Glass from Japan, who are famous for their glass artworks, some of which were still on display in the store and include tiny transparent houses that look like they’re made from rock candy.

The heartwarming wood-carving figures by Mokko Kumakichi are heartbreakingly expensive

During our visit, there was also an individual exhibition called Wander on Forest by Japanese artist Mokko Kumakichi, who was exhibiting his wood-carved and painted animals in China for the first time. “Every figure has its own expression, which I believe allow specific ones to connect with you; take one of them home with you, let it accompany you through all your memorable moments,” reads an introduction to the exhibition by Kumakichi.

The shop’s second floor

Art, of course, doesn’t come cheap, meaning the goods from Japan here are priced at RMB 400 or more on average. That shouldn’t phase patrons looking to splurge on something special, however. That wide range of slightly upscale wares, along with the shop’s bright lighting, spacious but not empty set up, and other mindful elements make Dairuhe a pleasure peruse.

Dairuhe Handmade Art Store
Wed-Mon 11am-7pm. 1/F, One World Apartment, 16 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District (6461 1687)
待入荷：朝阳区新源南路16号世方豪庭1层

Photos: Tracy Wang
This post first appeared on our sister site, the Beijinger.

Our family had lived behind the Laitai flower market for two very long months last summer. I had visited this market quite often and managed to find some treasures. My 3-year-old daughter enjoys exploring the animal aisle while bonsai trees are more my taste. When I heard there was another flower market nearby, I wanted to see what it had to offer as everything my family wanted could surely be found at the Laitai market.

Just as we entered the Liangma flower market I noticed it was much smaller, but very cute indeed. The huge area of the Laitai flower market can be very overwhelming while Liangma’s is easy to navigate and has some surprises in store. Its main hall exhibits cut flowers and a little boutique with ribbons galore, postcards and satin boxes. We even found an art stall with impressive paintings for reasonable prices.

The second hall has potted plants, some fish in tanks and a bird, all looking happy and healthy. There’s a stand with potted salads and vegetables. This was cool, so I showed it to my daughter and explained where our food comes from. We found a stall with a guy who makes lamps. Just as I found a nice lamp for my desk, I tried my hand at bargaining. The guy wanted to sell the lamp for RMB 180, but after a few minutes of haggling we settled at RMB 120.

On the hunt for more stuff we left the stroller downstairs and went to the second floor. This was like finding a cave of treasures filled to the brim with home wear. From tableware to slippers to candles, almost anything can be found here! My daughter and I had lots of fun roaming around and finding cute and funny things we did not need, but ended up buying anyway. My toddler kept me on my toes at all times with all the breakable nick knacks. I will definitely be back by myself to hunt for some serving platters.

Pauline van Hasselt has been working for beijingkids since October 2016. Born in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, she moved with her husband and her 3 year-old daughter to Beijing in June of this year. Prior she lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paraguay, Texas, and London, studying and working as a chef. Pauline enjoys biking around Beijing, finding markets and new restaurants, reading crime and fantasy books in bed, and most importantly, turning her house into a home for her family.