Have you ever felt impelled to revisit a place which was once very important in your life? While in Chiang Mai during the July trip to Southeast Asia with grandsons, we hired a driver to take us to Hang Dong and Baan Tawai Village, where we spent over 20 years hunting hand-selected unique items. We imported over forty 20 foot containers to our Denver headquarters in that period. I must admit to missing the excitement and adventure of the hunt for beautiful products,

We found the new location for McCormack Shipping and Packing Company, our valued agent. Marla and I are with Noina and Chris who now runs the business founded by his dad, Bob. We hunted for beautiful products with Bob and Noina who translated and co-ordinated the process.

Unfortunately, we missed seeing Bob, but is was great meeting Chris and seeing talented Noina after six years.

We walked the lanes of Baan Tawai Village checking out stalls and their wares. It was quiet on this very hot and humid day. We almost felt like we were the only ones in the Village.

This company featured some amazingly detailed wood carvings!

This supplier of wood carvings looked the same as when we first discovered it years ago.

After exploring some of our old haunts it was time for lunch at My Forest Cafe in Hang Dong.

We were immersed in a fairy tale world of jungle plants and giant stone carvings.

After lunch this happened…we stumbled upon a beautiful gallery where we had purchased fabulous 19th century Burmese manuscript chests over 20 years ago.

Chilli Antiques and Collection was crammed full of amazingly antiques from Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), Laos, & Cambodia. I was in my special place of visual bliss!

Marla said , “We do NOT need any more things in our home!” I was in agreement…until I saw this 2 foot Burmese Nat from the late 19th or early 20th century. Catching Marla in a weak, tired moment, she said yes,…so my bargaining began.

It was very hot outside and inside with no air conditioning.

We struck a deal so the wrapping began. Somehow, I fit the package at an angle in our large suitcase, resulting in ingenious repacking of carry-ons and “personal items”.

An exhausted Marla told me,”You are incorrigible!” I found a perfect place in our breakfast room.

Let me now take you back in time to show you why this area was so nostalgic for both of us. These images below show our journey of buying in the region. When we owned Wesco Fabrics, wholesale decorative fabrics and window coverings were obviously our main business. We added furniture, accessories, and antiques to add a unique demension in our Denver showroom and warehouse. We traveled to Japan, Thailand, Bali, France, China, Holland, and other countries searching for beautiful products.

This was our first buying trip to Chiang Mai.

Marla next to a supplier who featured huge decorative pieces.

This was our favorite resource for unusual antiques, pottery, and unique wood carvings. 4 or 5 Thai houses were joined together to form their business and home. Sadly, it has closed.

The staff is bringing out special Burmese pieces for our perusal.

Marla fell in love with this huge late 19th century Buddha pavilion and Buddha. She hadn’t realized it was in the owner’s residence. We told them if they ever wanted to sell it, we would love to purchase it. A few months later it was ours!

We personsally purchased this fabulous piece then donated it to the Denver Art Museum in 2017 after several visits by the head of the Asian Art Department and thorough vetting by numerous experts on provenance, etc., It was held in storage for over three years while the new museum was completed. Marla is looking resplendent at the Museum reopening gala in 2021. It really is the perfect place for it!

Yes, I truly love shopping!

We found a wonderful supplier of modern style pieces in Hang dong.

We are finalizing a nice order of assorted furnitue at Pan’s Shop in the Hang Dong area. We are so happy it is still in business. Our agent Bob and Noina are assiting with the purchase on this day.

Noina and Marla working on an order.

Some very unusual tables from Tamarind wood.

A view inside our warehouse years ago.

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.