Turkish delight
An online cache of high-quality soaps, towels and bedding from Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar
I first discovered Abdulla, a bath-and-body shop secreted away in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, after an epic adventure through labyrinthine market stalls. Since it is unlikely that I’ll be returning there anytime soon, I was thrilled to discover its online cache of towels, rugs, soaps and slippers. What the site perhaps lacks in atmosphere, it more than makes up for in quality craftsmanship.
Hand-finished peştamel towels (TL55-TL200, about £17-£63) in neutral tones with subtle navy, black and rich Morrocan-red accents (example fourth picture, about £17) are boiled in olive oil to soften the raw silk and cotton, and are quite simply a cut above. They top the towel offerings, although other standouts include those made from 100 per cent cotton (about £9.50) or rainbow linen with hand-tied tassels (about £14).
Natural bath accessories, such as knitted-linen wash gloves (about £14), sponges (about £11), pumice sets (third picture, about £12.50) and Takunya clogs made of oriental hornbeam (first picture, about £54), all bring a bit of the hammam home. Wonderful Turkish oil-soaps in hand-woven cylinders (about £11) come with traditional glass evil-eye charms, while unpretentious soap blocks (about £2) are available in rose, cinnamon, lavender (fifth picture) and olive.
Hero pieces include the woven-hemp rugs from eastern Turkey (about £285), the bold kilims (about £252-£316) and patchwork-leather throws made of antelope skins and cowhides (about £380). However, the ultimate indulgence for me are the sets of linen bedding (about £184 for six pieces, including coverlet, bed sheet and four pillow cases) that come in crisp white, grey and a subtle shade of lilac (second picture).
Much like happening upon this shop in its magical maze, this site is a real find. Unlike the bazaar, however, you can bookmark it easily and have items delivered to your door, no bartering required.