A walk through old shop houses

These are Peranakan shop houses. They used to belong to shop owners in the past and there are still a few antique shops but mostly now they belong to affluent expats. The ones at one end of the road have been transformed into trendy bars where the young and beautiful join after work for a drink. This means I have to go there as soon as I can. The ones to the back of the road are lived in. Many of them are being refurbished so it is not easy to see what they look like but I managed to sneak a peak through a door. There was a large room with large cushions and carpets on the floor. Light was pouring from the ceiling onto large green palm like plants. Maybe it was an open courtyard or maybe there was a glass panel turning the courtyard into a room. Carved wooden room dividers turned the room into a more usable space. There was dark wood everywhere and the walls were painted white. Overall a dark room but with the plants it gave an idea of freshness.

The front doors seem to be double. An actual door and in front of it two swinging panels like the ones you see in a western movie outside a saloon. These panels are carved with intricate drawings and I imagine they allow a bit of privacy and fresh air when the real doors are open.

Some of these homes are up for rent. I can just feel a tingling in my bones that says they are really out of my reach but I will probably get all dolled up and contact an estate agent just to see if I can view one and try to pass for a rich, eccentric lady of leisure. Will keep you posted!