Adam & Eve - Dining, Living, Giving! - A walk through Eden

Actress and TV presenter Iretiola Doyle writes. Read below...

My work requires a lot of travelling, local and international so I find myself on the route to the airport quite frequently – I can picture all the buildings on Mobolaji Bank Anthony in my minds’ eye. Last week I had a meeting in Abuja, as the meeting was going to be quite early I decided to catch a flight the day before. 

My flight was for 4pm but I found myself on the way to the airport by noon wanting to beat traffic.  I had always noticed the beautiful window displays of Adam & Eve, since I had at least three hours before having to check in I thought it might be a good idea to check out the store.

I was in for a pleasant surprise.  I walked to the entrance and a young lady introduced herself as Bisi, my personal shopper (I did not know you could get this service anywhere unless you were a known billionaire) and my journey through wonderland started.

The first room (of what I later realized was a maze) was the décor department – long life plants, consoles, mirrors, sculptures, flower vases – beauty at its best.  Then we walked through the outdoor area – parasols, garden furniture, deck chairs, fountains – now I know what to do with that balcony that seemed like wasted space in my house.

Next came the kitchen – arranged by colors, so I could have chrome, purple, orange, blue,pink or even a mixture.  Utensils I had never seen before – pots that put oil in your cooking a drop at a time; a toaster that could defrost/toast on one side only or even reheat your already made toast, a kettle that could get your water to just a certain temperature at a certain time – perfect for my mint tea which has to be at 80^oc to make the perfect cup.  I was in culinary haven.

Up the stairs my personal shopper (still cannot get over that) led the way to a unit for bedrooms – sheets for every size of bed imaginable including round beds.  I got a lecture on thread counts, Egyptian cotton, percale, mattress protectors, memory pillows, how to make a bed properly, proper room lighting –Hmmn! bedroom education.

My PS (Personal Shopper if you don’t know what that stands for) went up a gangway and I followed – Dining.  She said “The home is the best place to create memories so the dining is next to the bedroom”.  First came the luxury dining area so you can entertain without being ashamed of your crockery – cutlery to serve 3, 5 or 7 course meals, plates, chargers, table cloths, napkins, napkin rings, serving dishes, carving knives, crystal glasses, water/juice jugs (with ice trappers).  Naturally I got advice on how to make my dinner table luxurious.

The everyday dining had the same items – just more suited to daily use.  Thereafter was the beverage area.  Tea-sets, urns, mugs, flasks, cafeteria, tea diffusers, boardroom sets, coffee makers.  Of course there was the bar section – glasses – high ball, tumblers, champagne flutes, brandy snifters, cocktail saucers, wine glasses, beer mugs.  Accessories – wine pourers, champagne buckets, cigar boxes.

After all this, I could set up dinner, high tea or cocktails for royalty – or just choose to entertain like one – I could already see what my PS meant by making memories.

We made our way down the stairs lined with beautiful mirrors and art, time to head for the cash point (or so I thought) but the stairs brought us to a new area. Leather and luggage.Suitcases, shoe boxes, weekenders, briefcases, handbags, clutch bags, man bags in crocodile, ostrich & calf skin – traditionally or vegetable tanned by Pratesi, Chiarugi, Cerrutti 1881, LAPA, Terrida (Italian designers. Ha!)

Bathroom had shower curtains, shelves, rails, bins, bath accessory sets, bath & floor mats, laundry baskets.

Then through to the Children’s section with cots, beds, sheets, toys, wallpaper, bags, football memorabilia adorned by their favouriteheros, Superman, Spiderman, Mermaids, Barbie, Cars.

At last, cashpoint with still a lot to tempt me but I was going to ignore all and pay.  I refused to gush over the damask serviettes, initial & zodiac china mugs, key rings, reading glasses.

I brought out my Bank Debit Card and paid for all my items, I needed three staff to get them to my car.  I was pleased with all my purchases.  I was ready to leave, I looked at my time it was 4.15pm, I had missed my flight!  Finally caught a later flight at 6.30pm.

I have been back twice since then, not sure if it is the beauty, quality & design of the products or the education I get each time.

My name is Ireti Doyle, I am an actress, presenter, mother, wife, mother-in-law – I thought I had seen it all until I went into Adam & Eve and realized EDEN– the garden still exists!