Caravanserai

Fun stuff all around if you like Indian décor (kanthas, block stamps, etc) and clothes.

Love this place — amazing service, amazing collection!
Things are quite reasonably priced, especially the discounted items (50% off all furniture till August 15). Their service is unbelievable! I expressed interests in getting some poufs. Stephani willingly showed me all the sizes and styles they have in stock stairs. A large size pouf is $ 120 and a medium size pouf is $ 65. On my way to the stock room, I spotted a exotic room-​divider (80’W) which was on sale. At first I thought it would be impossible/​ridiculous to try to get that thing from Baltimore to Boston, given that I was flying out in a couple of hours, but Stephani made it all possible. They were extremely accommodating in finding and facilitating the shipping process. She called the owner and get quotes from a couple of places. They agreed to process a refund in case the shipping turns out to be more than I would want to pay. By the time I got to the airport, the room-​divider was already on the UPS truck and will arrive at my place in 2 days.

Caravansari in Hampden is by far one of the premier retailers in the country for gorgeous furniture, statues, scarves, jewelry, beads, lanterns & much more from exotic locations around the world.
The staff is impeccable & knowledgeable.
The owner, Ruth is such a beautiful soul… compassionate, funny, world traveled.
Please stop in & check out this INCREDIBLE STORE… YOU WILL BE GLAD THAT YOU DID.
Plus…the steak that Ruth served was done to perfection.

Ok, I had to google what the heck a Caravanserai was (and you should too!), but now that I have, the name is totally fitting.
There have been tons of goodies popping up on the avenue lately, and this is one of my favorites. Caravanserai feels like I’m wandering through a bazaar (not bizarre!) somewhere in Morocco. Or India? Turkey? Whatever. I’m not good with that. You know what I mean. You would definitely feel at home riding a camel through this place. It is a big space with a market feel and you can tell that whoever is doing the curating has a careful eye and a love for exotic treasures.
There is a big price range here, so even if you aren’t looking to walk out with a thousand-​dollar carving today, you can still find lanterns, jewelry, scarves, pillows, quilts– the works! I fell in love with a gorgeous paisley and beaded scarf– but unfortunately a $ 78 scarf is not in my budget right now.
If you’re into that Pier 1 ethnic/​bohemian/​jewel-​toned home look but would prefer the real deal collected from someone’s travels and handmade rather than something made in a sweat shop by child laborers, you will love it here!
P. S. I heard about this place by eavesdropping on the owner in a coffee shop. I couldn’t wait to check out her shop ASAP after learning that she is the woman who has the kantha throws and pillow cases at the Waverly Farmer’s Market. If you’ve admired those textiles as much as I have– picture a whole shop full of similar treasures – and get over to the Avenue (by Golden West & 13.5%) to support her!