Reader Jonathan asks:
I live in NYC, and am renovating a tiny apartment in the Marais. The end is in sight and I'm now turning towards furnishing the place. I need to take care of the basics first - a bed, a table, a chair - and I need to do it long distance.
Would you consider doing a round-up of reasonably-priced French chain stores which might help with that sort of thing? In the US, we have easy options like Pottery Barn, West Elm, Crate and Barrel, Room and Board etc. Is there anything similar in France, ideally something shop-able online?
Many Parisians start with the inevitable trip to IKEA. And for one-stop shopping, there is always the
BHV, although you can't order online. Here’s a short list of everyday Parisian furniture and home resources for the average budget that have online ordering. Good luck!
Darty
The go-to store for Parisians in need of all manner of home appliance, from refrigerators to televisions to washing machines to irons, and everything else in between. Free delivery on large items, free removal of your old appliances, good customer service.
Habitat
Habitat has stylish, pretty good quality furniture at reasonable-for-Paris prices. Habitat has recently revamped its website -- better, but still not the best -- and, more importantly, joined the 21st century by now making it possible for you to buy your bed or couch, as well as some rugs and light fixtures, online. You can also pay in two installments without extra charge, can pay a reasonable fee for assembly if needed, and sofa deliveries are free.
Matelsom
Matelsom delivers quality mattresses -- and everything else you may need for the bed -- in 48 hours, will set up your bed for free, and will even take away your old mattress for a €9 fee. Matelsom even offers a 30-day trial period, in case you aren’t happy with your mattress. Free delivery.
Muji
Muji has been a Parisian staple since 1998, beloved for its problem-solving streamlined design and reasonable prices. You can order a selection of their goods online.
La Redoute
Online retailer giant La Redoute has pretty cheap and fairly attractive bedding, decorative items, mattresses, couches, appliances, and everything else you need for the home. It's a mix of very basic stuff with guest designers like Christian Lacroix or Atelier LZC, with reliable delivery and frequent sales.
Castorama
Castorama sells very middle-of-the-road home and garden goods and accessories designed for the masses, with prices to match. You have to shop carefully here but can find bargains on certain staples.
Leroy Merlin
A sort of Home Depot à la française, Leroy Merlin is an everyday resource for home and garden supplies, including flooring, bathroom and kitchen materials, light fixtures, decorative items, hardware, portable fireplaces, and more. Online ordering.
Castorama has cute things as does Zara Home (though thats not online last time I checked).
view Trumystique's profile
I <8 habitat. They have a store in republique....which ought to be close to your Maison....
view Clairepetrol's profile
KH, you're the greatest! THANKS!
I like Habitat a lot, too, but I'm not crazy about any of the beds. I've been thinking about one of the Muji beds; now that they're open in NYC I'll go and have a look at the one I liked, to see if it's absolutely right before I commit.
It's Matelsom that I'm most excited about - I can sleep on the floor until I get the bed sorted out if need be. I'd found an Ikea mattress that would work for me, but it's nice to have options.
Again, THANKS!
view Jaze's profile
The difference between French and US retailing is probably encapsulated in the existence of a Sexuality section in Matelsom's blog.
view Jaze's profile
The other good thing about Matelsom is that you can have a place to sleep until you figure out what kind of bed you really want, and then have a headboard tailor-made, or look for an antique headboard at one of the city's many brocantes, which you can pick up for very little and customize/paint as you see fit.
If you're looking for higher-end ready-made beds, don't forget the stylish and overpriced Conran Shop, and Caravane for a pricey boho-chic aesthetic.
One more thing: Don't forget that the twice-a-year-only sales start in January!
view Kristin Hohenadel's profile
There is also "camif". They have a wide range of stuff, available for order online. It was the only place I was able to find a trundle bed. La redoute too (although people aren't always satisfied with the quality).
view clemoni's profile
german websites are also a possiblity. they deliver quickly and tend to have better service than french ones.
view clemoni's profile
Clemoni,
FYI, there is a trundle bed company in the Marais that has been making custom beds for more than 50 years:
http://www.ateliersaintsabin.fr/
view Kristin Hohenadel's profile
thanks, kristin. i know that place and thought their beds were beautiful but too expensive for my use (child's bed). camif has more of a range of prices (fairly low-end stuff to higher end).
view clemoni's profile
'Fly' are a bit like IKEA but if that is a picture of your apartment you will probably want to go a bit more up market. Catalogues are popular too you can buy them in newsagents.
view hrhprincessfiona's profile
Kristen, or anyone do you know of any great home decor shops to visit in Rome?
view chocopie's profile
If you're going to consider German retailers, take a look at the magazine Schoner Wohnen. It's a thick, idea-rich monthly that will have extensive product references for the featured spaces.
Doesn't Galleries Lafayette carry home furnishings?
view John H's profile
Yes, John H, Galeries Lafayette does have furniture, but no online buying and a higher price point than he was asking about.
view Kristin Hohenadel's profile