By: Marianna Cerini
Does your home look more flatpack than fabulous? Fret not. You don't need to go to IKEA or hire an interior designer to make things a bit more interesting. Instead, kit your pad out with a few key pieces and the right accessories from some of our favorite furniture stores in town. From sleek to hip, chic to minimal, these shops have got you covered.
Platane
Combining traditional French savoir fare with an eclectic aesthetic, Platane is a French-owned boutique that could be described as a gallery purely because of the attention to detail in regards to the layout of the wide range of items it carries. First opened in 2006 by two expatriate friends aiming to blend Chinese heritage with a contemporary vision, it counts two locations, a larger store in the lively enclave of Taikang Lu (close to Tianzifang) and another one on leafy Wukang Lu. Both spaces are bright and sunny, and carry a carefully edited selection of handmade ceramics, soft furnishings, glassware and cashmere pieces, alongside imported brands like Zoeppritze, Bertozzi, Charvet, La Rochere and LSA. Aesthetically pleasing, Platane showcases some real gems – both local and international – making it a favorite among interior designers and decor aficionados.
>156 Taikang lu, by Sinan Lu 泰康路156号, 近思南路 (64662495, www.platane.cn)
Homes Up
Homes Up sells the sorts of things anyone would want in their house: hip accessories, clever kitchen wares, practical furniture and colorful prints. Its happy combination of excellent sourcing, helpful staff and a layout that's constantly being reinvented means it manages to stay relevant, and the number of collections it produces every season makes it a little treasure trove of inspiration for all sorts of tastes. In terms of offer, it's basically a bit like IKEA – you could literally kit out your entire home with the products on sale here – with the main difference being that they don't hold any pre-made stock: all of the furniture available is tailor-made. Everything is on a small, quaint, extremely approachable level. Unique design touches are well represented among the mirrors, rugs, bed linen, clocks, cushions, art and photography available. First opened in Tianzifang, the brand counts a number of stores across town, the latest of which is in Super Brand Mall.
>38 Changshun Lu, by Hongqiao Lu 长顺路38号, 近虹桥路 (400 655 0280, homes-up.com)
Hay Concept Store
Design-centric types will love Hay's home and office knickknacks and accessories. The Scandinavian brand's first standalone store in Asia, the glass-fronted shop on Taikang Lu is airy and sunlit, a pleasure to wander in and browse. Besides the main space, there's a large downstairs showroom and an upstairs balcony that overlooks the shop. Keeping with the minimalist, clean aesthetics Hay is known for, expect neat benchwood furniture, cool printed homewares and hipper-than-thou stationery. A large number of external designers, including Hee Welling, brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Merete Erbou Laurent can also be found under the brand's umbrella, all showcasing incredibly simple yet beautifully conceived products at still-affordable prices.
>176 Taikang Lu, by Sinan Lu 泰康路176弄,近思南路(www.hay.dk)
Indigo Living
First established in Hong Kong in 1979, Indigo Living attempts to showcase the very best of contemporary furniture, lighting and homewares. The store, which spans four floors of a stunning renovated house on Anfu Lu, offers customers an immersive experience, recreating inspirational interiors people can touch and try. Think IKEA but in a much more upscale, edited manner. Visually engaging, rooms are arranged around different thematic collections the brand produces yearly, each a display of tasteful, well-crafted quality items. A kid's area, Indigo Kids, provides a colorful assortment of movables and toys, making this a great spot for families looking to decorate their children's rooms with original, fun design products.
>185-187 Anfu Lu, by Wulumuqi Zhong Lu 安福路185-187号, 近乌鲁木齐中路 (6475 5228, www.indigo-living.com)
Jing Republic
Mixing contemporary design furnishings, flower arrangement classes and baking lessons, Jing Republic is a one-stop destination for all things home. The spot – which counts locations in Jing'an and the former French Concession – focuses aptly on unique, artsy furniture and lifestyle items, from sleek lounge lamps to quirky china and scented candles whose wax turns into body oil once melted. Stylish and accessible, it offers pieces procured from both home and abroad, all at pretty affordable prices. A perfect gift destination, Jing Republic's products are a far cry from the run-of-the-mill items you'd find on the high street. All in all, one of the most interesting furniture and design stores in town.
>361 Kangding Lu, by Shaanxi Bei Lu 康定路361号, 近陕西北路 (6216 0385, www.jingrepublic.com)
