This week on Feel Good Interiors, we are featuring Cantaloupe Boutique, a stylish boutique department store that harmoniously marries historic architecture with modern design. Home Hints spoke to Dmitri Jayasuriya, the Founder/ CEO of Cantaloupe & CO, about the nitty-gritties of the boutique store’s chic interiors.

Q: What makes Cantaloupe Boutique special?

“Cantaloupe Boutique offers a unique selection of high-end Sri Lankan designers, in addition to Cantaloupe’s own design initiatives, which include Cantaloupe Jewels, Cantaloupe Man and Cantaloupe Selective Retail. The main factor that distinguishes CB in an already niche market, is the wide range of high quality products available in a relatively compact yet aesthetically awe- inspiring space.”

Q: Why choose Galle Face Court as the location to establish Cantaloupe Boutique?

Location, Location, Location!
‘Cantaloupe Boutique is located within one of Colombo’s Colonial Landmarks, The Galle Face Court (with the shop façade facing the Galle Road), this address could very well become Colombo’s equivalent ofto London’s Oxford Street‘

The Boutique is a few minutes’ walk from most of Colombo’s 5 Star Hotels (in addition to numerous new developments ,which are currently in the pipeline or underway) such as the Galle Face Hotel, The Cinnamon Grand, Ramada, and Taj Samudra; while the Ceylon Continental Hotel, Galadari, Colombo Hilton and Cinnamon Lakeside are less than a kilometer away. The retail space is nestled within the Galle Face Court Apartment premises, which is home to a large expatriate community.

In addition, many other prestigious residential developments are within walking distance. Securing the Boutique space was based on foresight, there was a specific long-term plan, which has now been put into motion and is steadily progressing in the more positive economic climate. Colombo will be positioned and marketed as a prime retail destination in the coming years; with this in mind our goal for the boutique is for it become known as a retail landmark in Colombo.

Q: Who worked on the interior of Cantaloupe Boutique? What was the basic design concept?

“The initial concept for Cantaloupe Boutique was conceptualized a collaboration between the by me architect, Cyrille Fernando and I collaborating together. The basic design concept was to create a feel good space that while being contemporary did not clash with the heritage and original architecture of the building. We opened up spaces to maximize natural light and retained the high ceilings to further create a sense of undisturbed space. Cantaloupe Boutique’s signature is the black and white chequer board floors, which whilst being extremely trendy, pay homage to the renown chequer board terrace of the Galle Face Hotel(which is located directly opposite). The interior colour scheme is predominantly white, complimented by LED lighting.”

Q:  What kind of ambiance did you want to create at the Boutique?

“An interior that creates a sense of airiness without too much clutter, which allows the customer to enjoy their retail experience in a relaxing environment.  The thought behind this being that if your mind is clear and undisturbed by an overload of stimulus it allows you to fully appreciate the elements specifically chosen to highlight, which in this case is our unique selection of designer products.”

Q: What kind of specialty elements has been used to get the desired result?

“State of the art LED lighting, floor to ceiling glass facades, glass balconies and as mentioned above the checker board floor, all combine to bring out the overall  desired design effect.”

Q: How do these elements blend with the old world charm of the Galle Face Court?

“Even the modern elements incorporated, further compliment the exterior architecture of the building. The lighting effects chosen especially highlight the more intricate but otherwise subtle details of in the original architecture.”

Interviewed by Shabnam Farook