Homeware shopping in Istanbul
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Muhlis Günbatti
One of the most famous stores in the bazaar, Muhlis Günbattı specialises in suzani fabrics from Uzbekistan. These beautiful bedspreads, tablecloths and wall hangings are made from fine cotton embroidered with silk. As well as the textiles, it stocks top-quality carpets, brightly coloured kilims and a small range of antique Ottoman fabrics richly embroidered with gold. Its second shop at Tevkifhane Sokak in Sultanahmet sells a wider range of costumes at truly stratospheric prices.
reviewed
-
B
Mehmet Çetinkaya Gallery
Described by an editor at Halı Publications as ‘Turkey’s leading dealer of antique textile art’, Mehmet Çetinkaya is also known as one of the country’s foremost experts on antique oriental carpets. His flagship store is full of treasures, but remember – quality never comes cheaply. There’s a second shop selling textiles and objects in the Arasta Bazaar and a third in the Four Seasons Istanbul at the Bosphorus.
reviewed
-
C
Cocoon
There are so many rug and textile shops in İstanbul that choosing individual shops to recommend is incredibly difficult. We had no problem whatsoever in singling this one out, though. Felt hats, antique costumes and textiles from central Asia are artfully displayed in one store, while rugs from Persia, central Asia, the Caucasus and Anatolia adorn the other. There’s a third shop in the Arasta Bazaar and another in the Grand Bazaar.
reviewed
-
D
Abdulla Natural Products
The first of the Western-style designer stores that are now appearing in this ancient marketplace, Abdulla sells cotton bed linen, handspun woollen throws from Eastern Turkey, cotton peştemals and pure olive-oil soap. It’s all top-quality, but it’s not cheap. There’s another store in the Fes Café in Cağaloğlu.
reviewed
-
E
Şişko Osman
The Osmans have been in the rug business for four generations and are rated by many as the best dealers in the bazaar. Certainly, their stock is a cut above many of their competitors. Most of the rugs on sale are dowry pieces and all have been hand woven and coloured with vegetable dyes. There’s another store at Halıcılar Caddesi 49.
reviewed
-
F
Dhoku
One of the new generation of rug stores opening in the bazaar, Dhoku (meaning texture) sells artfully designed wool kilims in resolutely modernist designs. Its sister store, EthniCon, opposite this store, sells similarly stylish rugs in vivid colours and can be said to have started the current craze in contemporary kilims.
reviewed
-
G
Derviş
Gorgeous raw cotton and silk peştemals share shelf space here with traditional Turkish dowry vests and engagement dresses. If these don’t take your fancy, the pure olive-oil soaps and old hamam bowls are sure to step into the breach. There’s another store at Halıcılar Caddesi 51.
reviewed
-
H
Nakkaş
As well as pricey rugs and jewellery, Nakkaş stocks an extensive range of ceramics made by the well-regarded İznik Foundation. One of the reasons the place is so beloved of tour groups is the beautifully restored Byzantine cistern that’s in the basement – make sure you have a peek.
reviewed
