There’s a certain rhythm that comes with traveling as a luxury retail buyer especially when antiques and one-of-a-kind pieces are the goal. This trip was a quick Paris stop sandwiched between four full days sourcing in the Netherlands and Belgium. Thirty-six hours in the city, not our first visit, very much a work trip. But, the kind that leaves space for wandering, noticing, and eating really well.

The mood: chill but intentional. No star traps, no overly fancy reservations. Just hip, chic, well-loved places that feel right when you’ve been here before.

Where We Stay

Hotel Bachaumont

Tucked into the 2nd arrondissement, Hotel Bachaumont hits that sweet spot of comfort and style. The rooms are tight but cozy, thoughtfully designed, with tiny balconies that make even a short stay feel special. There’s a chic bar downstairs, a friendly team, and surprisingly, a solid little gym.

The location is a big reason we love it. The 2nd arrondissement feels lived-in and charming, with great shopping and casual restaurants, and it’s an easy walk to the Marais and Saint-Germain. Central without feeling chaotic.

Where We Eat

Good food, no fuss. Exactly how we like it.

That street alone is an experience. Oysters at Louis de Mar, cheese, charcuterie, little stands everywhere. You can truly eat your way down the block.

What We Do (and Don’t Do)

Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen

We always wander the markets in Paris, but we rarely buy there anymore. Prices have climbed, and much of it now feels firmly retail. Still, it’s visual heaven for designers and collectors—rows of mid-century, French country, and fine Louis pieces that make the eye wander and the imagination work. In many ways, it feels a bit like Round Top in Texas—familiar, inspiring, and entirely its own.

Instead, we go where the vendors go. Direct to the brocantes.

Our philosophy has always been simple: go straight to the source. That’s where the real stories live—and where the value is. We take the long road, sorting through thousands of pieces, driving countless miles across Europe, and making thoughtful decisions long before anything is chosen. From there comes the shipping, the restoration, the careful cleaning in our workshop, and the quiet work of readying each piece for its next chapter.

By the time something reaches the floor, the work has already been done.

Walking for Inspiration

Some of the best moments aren’t planned.

Walking across Pont Neuf, through the grounds of Louvre Museum, listening to live music drift through the air—these are the pauses that reset your eye. Paris has inspiration everywhere, but it’s not all the same. You still have to slow down enough to notice what actually resonates.

Where We Shop

Markets, Saint-Germain vintage shops, and a mix of retail stops to see what’s happening now. This trip, we discovered Alix Reynis—a beautiful shop filled with porcelain, tabletop pieces, linens, and thoughtful design details. We’re excited to be launching her products in our store soon.

Inspiration everywhere

Fashion & Design

Paris style always tells you what season you’re actually in. This trip was full of fur coats and vests, high socks with boots and mini skirts, bomber jackets (including a blue one worn on repeat), and easy layering for light rain and 50-degree days. Fall-to-winter transition, done effortlessly.

Fur and sheepskin draped over café chairs outside. Practical, cozy, and visually grounding. Texture everywhere. A reminder that warmth and beauty can coexist in the most everyday moments.

Even on a tight schedule, Paris always leaves room for inspiration.A good meal, a long walk, a material we can’t stop thinking about. Those moments find their way back into the work, and eventually, into the pieces we bring home.