A whole world of lively design

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A whole world of lively design

Across from Galleria Department Store in Apgujeong-dong is a shop where you can spend hours browsing ― and, in some cases, trying to figure out what you’re looking at.
Zu Design boasts more than 500 funky, unique interior goods and accessories from all over the world. Don’t assume you know what something’s for, or you might end up picking up a radio, as I did, and asking the clerk, “Is this a mouse?”
Items are categorized under “person,” “place,” “office,” “lifestyle,” “interior,” “designer’s collection” and “ideas.” The designers are from Korea and abroad. About a quarter of the items displayed on the wall are clocks, but these are some stylish clocks, starting at 32,000 won ($28) and ranging up to 200,000 won for a watch. A few radios are on the shelves; one is shaped like a mannequin, another like a flying saucer.
A big, red swivel chair shaped like a hand (350,000 won) makes you feel cradled. Next to the chair are some cute tissue dispensers shaped like toy dogs (22,000 won). An imported French lamp with a hand-printed shade costs 600,000 won or 800,000 won, depending on size.
There are “all-in-one” items ― such as an Italian coat rack with a clock at the top and an umbrella stand at the bottom ― and office tools with simple, modern designs. For kids, there are mobiles, antique toys, wooden cars and airplanes.
There seems to be a bit of everything, but there are two common threads: eye-catching design and simple usefulness. Most of Zu’s customers (the name means “heading toward something” in German) are young people looking for unique presents, a clerk said. The store has partnerships with companies in China, Hong Kong, and five European countries, and launched an online shopping mall in 2000.


Zu Design
Telephone: (02) 540-4580.
Hours: 10:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily.
Location: Opposite Galleria Department Store in Apgujeong-dong.


by Song Hee-jung
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