CHAI Studio

I love this store! I like that the items are things that were old or worn turned into something new like their throw covers. They also have furniture and some glasses. It has such cool and unique items for my apartment. I take my time opening up some of the drawers or cabinets because there’s items in there. I highly recommend a customer to visit there especially if you’re trying to kill time waiting for a movie or to pick up your food at ward. The store workers aren’t pushy either and make great suggestions/​ideas on their items.

Chai studio would not refund my purchase of a meditation workshop/​meditation pillow that I singed up for. I don’t even have the pillow, it’s still in store. Apparently it’s store policy for no refunds, however the employees did not inform me of such policy at the moment of purchase. It was only brought to my attention when i called to ask for a refund. I should not beheld to abide by the polociy that I was not informed of at the moment of purchase. Therefore, I feel entitled to my full refund. I’m dissatisfied with my shopping/​costumer service experience with chai studio.

Love this store my absolute favorite! I have bought 5 items so far and they are amazing I wish they would come and decorate my whole condo! Cant get enough I’m there every 2 weeks lol so worth the investment for quality one of a kind pieces. Yay!!!

This place is very nice! There’s a lot of interesting things in there. The prices are a little steep but good quality! Margaux was very helpful and easy to talk to. Very nice and small place with out being to Pier 1ish! I recommend this place for simple home furnishings!

Truly tasteful! Unique furniture, can’t wait to make more purchases when I begin renovating my home! Worth a walk through just to admirel the quality and craftsmanship of their items, especially their quilts.

What got me in here? The cute little doggy in the window! No seriously there was a cute little doggy in their window display sitting on chevron printed pillows! She just sat there on the pillows looking at me with those puppy dog eyes saying, «Come in and pet me!» Ok maybe I didn’t end up petting the dog but I did love what this store had to offer. I really don’t know how to describe this store except that it kind of reminds me of Pier One but ten times better.
The customer service is amazing. I just like it when people can naturally talk to you without getting that akward kind of vibe from them. I wish I got her name but the person who helped us said that a lot of the furniture and home décor in the store are repurposed stuff she found. A particular table I was looking at was made from a door she found. She said that when she finds something she likes she sends it to this guy in India and he basically recreates whatever masterpiece he wants and then it comes back to be sold in this store. The rest of the items in the store are hand picked. So you pretty much know that what ever you get you will not find anywhere else. I love mixing graphics designs and different textures and this place has alot of that going on. I loved this store so much I didn’t even bother to look at the prices so I can’t comment on the price range. What I can say is how a lot of the furniture and décor is displayed… simply impeccable!
Down side to this store is that it’s pretty tight. There is just so much stuff!!! So ladies with your baby strollers you might need to leave them outside and carry your baby around. My stroller was pretty narrow and I could barely get through. I really hope to come back here to purchase a few items.

Rating: 4.0
Pros: Friendly staff, eye-​catching items, Quality
Cons: Layout of store, return policy
I recently purchased a 20X20 pillow for my teak lounge chair. The staff is friendly and helpful without being too «pushy». Employee made a good suggestion based off of my chair, thinking maybe she has «design» experience. The layout of the store could be improved. THere were a lot of great pieces I had to go «looking» for, especially the rugs in the back. The pillows are the best displayed area, but although one employee mentioned they were not organized by size – there were some pillows in the wrong section.
The Quality of the items, although I’m not expert, looked and felt great to me. I can’t stop staring at my pillow on the my chair – a bit narcisstic i guess…
Their hold policy is 24 hours and they have a no return policy. So if you’re not sure you love that 70 dollar pillow, best to put it on hold and think about it.

Unilocal 365 Challenge x 2 #224/​365
Although I have other reviews to update from being in Baltimore, I need to post this review of a store that I have been meaning to visit for quite some time ever since I’ve looked at their pictures on Facebook and Twitter (I now have them on Instagram too).
The whole purpose for me going to CHAI studio was for a Sari Scarf that was colorful. In February, I bought a pretty green one in Baltimore and then on my way home to Hawaii, I had a layover in San Francisco, which I was starving and bought lunch. While waiting for my food, I noticed a lady standing next to me and I loved her scarf. Actually her entire outfit because it was so casual yet so urban casual with some class thrown together. Part of her ensemble was this beautiful multi-​colored sari scarf. I couldn’t get over it. I wanted one and cursed myself for not buying another one while I was in Baltimore because there is a big community of middle eastern restaurants and boutiques.
Anyhow, while my husband was at his appointment, I decided to drive around Kakaako to check out CHAI Studio especially when I remembered they also sold pretty jewelry and clothing… YES… I was about to buy me a Sari scarf!
BUT, after driving around and pulling over by Office Max, I noticed that they moved…
Not far away though! Because they moved to Ward Warehouse directly across Executive Chef.
As I walked in, it was the colors that was mesmerizing… like being drawn to that snake in Jungle Boy. Seriously, the colors along with the material being draped or decorated on their reclaimed furniture just makes you want to redecorate your entire household.
In fact, the assistant (Megan) is an interior decorator who is also the person that sets up the displays around the store.
I love the fact that the furniture is reclaimed and designed into something else without losing the originality. In fact, there was this dining table that I was admiring only to find out that it was formerly a door!
The throws, totes, jewelry, sari’s…everything is just gorgeous. I’m wanting to return there soon because there are these mirrors that were just beautiful. I showed it to my daughter who wants one.
Granted, some of the prices for some of the items are alittle steep BUT these items are worth every penny especially because it is one of a kind. Plus, it kind of inspires you to want to reclaim old furniture. However, you have to have some talent and an eye for creativity, which takes me back to reality because I’m not that talented. Thus, my gratefulness for having a pretty little boutique on the corner called CHAI studio.
Check it out-​you won’t regret it even though your wallet may weigh less when you drive away happy with an item or furniture.
P. S. I did find a beautiful Sari scarf that is just too colorful for words. It’s amazing, it’s beautiful, vibrant and I’m using it as I write this review.
Worth.Every.Penny…

A love note to CHAI…
Your furniture is beautiful, I could stare at it for days. I finally found a wardrobe that’s plain enough for my DH and bali enough for me. I bought it today. Your price on this piece was reasonable and I expect it to make PCS moves without falling apart (*cough* Marlo Furniture Bed Frame *cough*). Now that room just need some accents and a lamp that the cat won’t shred. I love the feel of this store and the vibe you get. I’m very bohemian, balinese in style and my DH most assuredly is not. I love the floor poufs and chairs upholstered with sari silk. God bless America that I can sew, because there’s no way I’d pay $ 1000 (yes, a grand) for one of those bar chairs or hundreds for the poufs.
Some things to consider… I thought the service was excellent. The worker who was there on Saturday total cliched that sale on the wardrobe and Rachel was awesome today. As mentioned, I thought the price was fair and appreciated the 10% military discount. I saw many other cute things in the store on Saturday that I really liked, but quickly returned them to the shelf when I caught a glance at the price tag. I can’t justify the crazy high prices on some of the pieces and will have to hunt elsewhere for similar glasses and do a bit of thrift shopping for a chair I can re-​upholster on my own. I’m a big crafter/​diy-​er and my BFF is Indian, so I know this can be done. Sourcing old saris will not be an issue. I had a tough time finding this place when I first looked for it. In fact, I did not find it at all the first time. Better luck on hunt two.
I’ll be back regularly. Even if it’s only to drool and get inspiration.

Finally made it over to the new location — its first place position in Ward Warehouse with easy parking and the ever-​changing variety of Indian-​flavored gifts make it even better than the original in Kaka’ako. Honolulu is lucky to have a store like this — colorful, bright, and great service. We found plenty to buy. You will too. Be sure to ask what just came in — there’s always something new and unusual getting inventoried.

I ran into this cute little store in the Kaka’ako area when I got my car tinted one day.
I thought at first it may be a Tea shop. (LOL)
I walked in, and it was a cute Bali-​style home furnishngs store, but also had jewelry, scented oils, rugs, pillows, and the owner was very nice and friendly.
It was like a smaller version of a Pier 1 Imports, but a liitle more personalized.
If you are in the area, and see the cute sign outside, take the time to go in and say hello. You may find that special little gift or perfect piece for your home…
Parking is free as well.

Location in Kakaako. Lots of parking either on the street or in the lot, which they do validate.
CHAI Studio is definitely an inspirational store! It not only is home furnishing, it’s a lifestyle store; from jewelry, woman’s clothing, body products, and more! Most imported from India.
I love that CHAI promotes sustainability. They don’t have shopping bags to promote the use of your own reusable bags. There are some items are or re-​purposed; for example, old saris are recycled into «Kantha» made into throws, pillow cases or totes.
Many of the items are one of a kind and unique! I know I love when I have something that only I have… The feel of the store is warm and inviting. Every one of my friends that has checked it out has said it’s a beautiful store! The owner is lovely and is very helpful! I definitely recommend stopping in.

This place isn’t just a furniture store, it has great furniture, jewelry and other little gifts for special ones, most is from India (though not everything is). It’s kind of a «lifestyle» store. Everything is extremely reasonably priced and is a welcome infusion of color to my house! It’s new, so it’s not open that late in the day, but they are open on Saturdays and Sundays which is a plus. And, you can mix your own perfume oils, shampoos, & bath gels. Definitely worth checking out.