I've lived in Paris for over a decade, and it's one of my favorite cities in the world. I was extremely influenced by the city, and it changed me in many ways:
First, this is where my children were born, and where we built our family (isn't that the most important thing?)
Then, this is where I was first exposed to an extensive variety of cultures. I always tell the story about the first time I entered my apartment, I was watching from the window and felt like someone widely opened my camera lens.
Since we moved back to Israel, I visit Paris a few times a year, in order to maintain "design alertness", to keep the lens open and keep finding out the city that holds a lot of interior design mysterious places.
France in general, and Paris in particular, are full of artistic and cultural possibilities. Interior design is an open market, accessible to every pocket – you just need to know where to look and what to find.
This time I will share with you several home design shops I visit every time I'm in the city, purchasing items that I can easily pack in my luggage. I always return with a least one bag from one of these shops, and every friend who travels with me always joins the feast.
Here are 7 interior design shops for your house, apartment or room:
MONOPRIX
A major French retail chain. Yes, yes, there are many branches of this chain (big red letters logo). Just lift your eyes and you will see it. I love to wander off in European chains. In doing so, I learn a lot about the culture and the character of the locals (did you know that French people use little glove-shaped towel as a baby's bath sponge?). So what can you find in Monoprix? What can you buy there?
This chain contains a home department - Monoprix Maison. You can always find cool home accessories in there such as small/large towels, linen, bath rugs, cute gadgets, tiny light pieces and many knickknacks. Many shelves, packed with everything related to interior design. If you're in the store at the holiday season you'll find many holiday items, and this is where you'll find the small things.
Prices are very affordable and there are lots of sales throughout the year (color labels: blue/green/red on every item indicating discounts). Handy!
While you’re in Monoprix, you might want to look around at the clothes, pajamas and much more. You will be surprised to see how many treasures are hidden in the same store. If you can't find anything, you can still visit the deli and enjoy the fine affordable cheeses and return home with your hands full.
Website: https://www.monoprix.fr
ZARA HOME
Zara's huge design store, located between the Madeleine and the Opera House (Right Bank/Rive Droite), is a lovely, tastefully designed and incredibly accurate store.
Here you can find linen, perfect soft towels, bedspreads, baby's bedding, frames and numerous accessories that can upgrade any space and make it up-to-date.
More items in this store include various pieces of furniture, light fixtures and carpets – but for these items you might need more space in your suitcase. It is important to note that Zara shops abroad have different items than the ones in Israel.
Website: https://www.zarahome.com/fr
H&M MAISON
A new concept store, launched recently near the Bastille. This is a great place to wander around, feast your eyes and find interesting items for your interior design. No doubt you are going to leave with lots of bags.
Website: https://www2.hm.com/en_us/home.html
BHV
In this enormous department store, next to Paris City Hall, you can find complete house & interior design departments with lots of accessories and furniture. The store is huge, and every floor contains thousands of items. In the upper levels you will find the design departments: Complete furniture sets, outdoor furniture, ceramics, taps and up-to-date items. Although you won't be able to take everything, this is a great place to gather ideas.
Website: https://www.bhv.fr
THE CONRAN SHOP
Adorable, well designed, minimalistic and accurate shop. This is a must see for anyone interested in design – visit, wander around, feast the eyes with ideas and novelties.
True, it's not cheap, but this shop is full of plenty of unique items that you won't see any other way.
Included in this shop are furniture, bath accessories, children’s toys, carpets, fascinating light fixtures, outdoor sets, photos and special appliances. Here you can find top designers furniture, next to cool and simple kitchen accessories.
The inventory in this store is constantly renewed, as well as the design.
Website: https://www.conranshop.fr
MERCI
The perfect concept store is located in an ornamented charming courtyard, which provides you with a complete design experience. Here you can find almost anything - starting from house accessories, pillows, linen, scented candles, serving dishes, glasses and plates, next to clothing, jewelry and products that can change your house.
When you're done wandering from the cellar up to the upper floor, don't forget to stop at the coffee shop and enjoy some real Parisian scent.
Website: https://merci-merci.com
LE BON MARCHE
After you feast your eyes with the bags, clothing and shoes of international top designers in this luxurious store, don't forget to climb to the home design floor.
Here you will find an entire floor packed with porcelain and crystal sets, pots and pans, housewares, textile, scented candles and practically anything you can imagine.
In addition, you can find here stationery department, leather bindings and unique folders. This is definitely the place for papeterie fans.
Website: https://www.lebonmarche.com
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