Paris: A Design Insider's Guide
While April in Paris is a dream, so, too, is January. That’s when many of the world’s best interior designers descend on France for Déco Off, seeking out the new life in the city of light. As part of our Paris Insider’s Guide, we reached out to long-time clients and dear friends Suzanne Tucker and Fernando Wong, whom we always look forward to seeing at Déco Off. Here, our official McKinnon and Harris guide to Parisian muses—and joie de vivre.
SHOP
Aubercy | 34 Rue Vivienne, 75002
In the heart of the eclectic 2nd arrondissement you will find some of the most impeccably crafted shoes in the world, offering both ready-to-wear and Haute-Mesure for men. A Fernando Wong favorite. aubercy.com
Atelier Tulipe | 44 Rue de Turenne, 75003
This couture atelier handcrafts all manner of sartorial delights as well as France-made finds, whether you seek a Kiriko Sato hat tailored to you or a silk scarf ethically produced in Lyon (and made in limited runs of just 100). ateliertulipe.com
Bourrienne Paris X | 58 Rue d’Hauteville, 75010
The elegant art of the French shirt for both men and women, reborn in painstaking detail—with top tier fabrics, including linen from Normandy. bourrienne.com
Chanel | 19 Rue Cambon, 75001
Coco would j’adore the latest version of the Chanel flagship, which added a former 17th century convent to her original townhouse for a sprawling 10,700 square foot space envisioned by McKinnon and Harris client Peter Marino. chanel.com
E. Dehillerin | 18-20 rue Coquillière, 75001
We have no doubt that Julia Child spent hours in this circa 1820 kitchen supply store, “a must-visit shrine to the art of cuisine,” Tucker says. The copper pots are a packable form of Provence. edehillerin.fr
Galignani | 224 Rue de Rivoli, 75001
“The grande dame of bookstores has been charming bibliophiles since 1801,” says Tucker, who beelines here for their curated trove of tomes ranging from art to fiction. “A Parisian paradise not to be missed.” galignani.fr
Hermès | 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008
The home of Hermès since 1880 is a must visit for any collector of orange boxes, and so iconic they named a perfume after the address. hermes.com
Lorenz Bäumer | 19 Pl. Vendôme, 75001
Located next to the Ritz Paris, Monsieur Bäumer dreams up the most fantastical creations, including cufflinks made from meteorites, a particular favorite of Fernando Wong. baumer-vendome.com
Magasin Sennelier | 3 Quai Voltaire, 75007
Tucker favors this 1887 art supply shop that “supplied legends like Picasso, Cézanne, and Degas with its unparalleled pigments and materials,” she says. “The shelves brim with richly hued oils, velvety pastels, and brushes that feel like magic wands.’’ magasinsennelier.art
Mariage Frères Rive Gauche | 13 Rue des Grands Augustins, 75006
Purveyors of what’s reportedly the largest tea menu on the planet with more than 600 varietals, this has been a cult favorite of caffeine addicts since 1854. mariagefreres.com
Merci Flagship | 111 Bd Beaumarchais, 75003
This lovingly curated housewares shop in a 19th century former wallpaper factory is a go-to for covetable linen and tableware. Don’t miss the courtyard, home to a cherry red Fiat 500 and blissful city quiet. merci-merci.com
Le Bon Marché | 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007
Chic shopaholics know that the very concept of the department store was essentially invented by founder Aristide Boucicaut, a milliner’s son; his Bon Marché is now a mecca, with interiors by the same engineer behind the Eiffel Tower. lebonmarche.com
The Room | 71 Rue de Turenne, 75003
Chanel. Burberry. Balenciaga. Pieces from boldface name fashion houses are among the barely worn finds at this resale shop, which specializes in luxury. theroomparis.fr
Trudon | 78 Rue de Seine, 75006
Founded in 1643, the oldest candlemaker on the planet is still unequivocally “lit” for its poured-in-Normandy candles in scents that range from orange and cinnamon to mist, soil and meadows. trudon.com
Astier de Villatte | 173 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001
The exquisite ceramics of this global phenom are made here in Paris using 18th century techniques, but they’re not the only things you’ll obsess over (their letterpress books, stationery, and soaps are also worth the fanfare). astierdevillatte.com
La Tuile à Loup | 35 Rue Daubenton, 75005
“Who wouldn’t want a dash of Provençal sunshine or Alsatian artistry on their table?” Tucker says. “La Tuile à Loup is a treasure trove of artisanal French charm, where every piece of pottery and hand-painted faïence tells a story of craft and tradition.” latuilealoup.com
Marie Daâge | 12 Rue de Tournon, 75006
Whisper-thin Limoges porcelain made in France, painstakingly painted by hand, and adorned with a gleaming 24-carat matte gold line. mariedaage.com
Ceramics image at top of Journal Article provided by Marie Daâge (credit: Axelle Renié).
PASSEMENTERIE
Houlès | 13 Rue du Mail, 75002
Open since 1928 and now run by the founding family’s fourth generation, Houlès is where Francophiles find superlative trimmings (case in point: Château de Versailles is a client). houles.com
Samuel & Sons Paris | 23 rue du Mail, 75002
The extremely beloved, family-owned passementerie house has a new-ish showroom, opened in 2021, where designers flock for some 15,000 trimmings—all available in-stock. samuelandsons.com
Watts 1874 | Galerie Hélène-Marie de la Forest Divonne, Paris (January 15-18, 2025)
A 151 year old trimming house that supplies passementerie to the British Crown for Coronations. During Deco Off every year, Watts 1874 hosts a not to miss pop-up. watts1874.co.uk
Antoinette Poisson | 12 rue Saint-Sabin, XIe
Resuscitating 18th century hand-colored paper techniques, this wallpaper house produces riveting floral and geometric motifs in their Port-Louis, Brittany, workshop. antoinettepoisson.com
Charles Burger | 4 rue du Mail, 75002
World renowned 18th Century Toile de Jouy, from one of the deepest and most traditional textile archives in France founded more than 160 years ago. charles-burger.org/
de Gournay | 15 Rue des Saints-Pères, 75006
A jewel box of a showroom, with curved walls and bespoke joinery highlighting their trademark hand-painted (and occasionally hand-stitched) wallcoverings. degournay.com
Pierre Frey | 2 bis Rue de Furstenberg, 75006
Established in 1935, the iconic French textile maison remains a family-owned treasure, under the leadership of Patrick Frey and his three sons. pierrefrey.com
Zuber & Cie | 36 Rue Bonaparte, 75006
Acquired by Pierre Frey in 2023, Zuber has produced its storied scenic wallpapers using more than 100,000 centuries-old wood blocks since 1797. zuber.fr
ANTIQUES
Deyrolle | 46 Rue de Bac, 75007
A quirky garden-oriented store with rare taxidermy and fossils “with lots to see and inspire,” says Wong. deyrolle.com/
Feau Boiseries | 9 Rue Laugier, 75017
Your source for “18th- and 19th-century boiseries—intricately carved, gilded, and impossibly grand,” Tucker says. “From palatial walls to bespoke interiors, antique paneling, straw marquetry, carving, lacquer work and whatever your imagination can conjure, it’s a sanctuary for those who revel in the artistry of past eras.” feauboiseries.com
Galerie Steinitz | 6 Rue Royale, 75008
“Specializing in exquisite 18th- and 19th-century furniture and decorative arts, this gallery is a master class in French refinement,” Tucker says of this treasure box. Want to ship home an Empire period chandelier or circa 1534 mantel? Come here. steinitz.fr
Galerie Chenel | 3 Quai Voltaire, 75007
Just across the Seine from the Louvre, Galerie Chenel’s staff are leading experts on ancient Roman sculpture—and count the British Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Arts among their devoted clients. galeriechenel.com
Galerie Bazin Antiquities | 24 rue de Beaune 75007
Tucked within the 111 galleries of Carré Rive Gauche, Patrick Bazin’s intimate shop is a wellspring of wonder (recently on offer: a lapis lazuli and ebony Florentine mirror from 19th century Italy). instagram.com/galeriebazin
Galerie Lefebvre | 5 Quai Voltaire, 75007
The French Art Deco wizards behind Galerie Lefebvre have curated works by a magnetic stable of artists from that period, including society photographer Laure Albin-Guillot and architect and furniture designer Pierre Chareau. galerielefebvre.com
Galerie Vauclair | 24 Rue de Beaune, 75007
Circa 1880 black rattan salon chairs and an 1870 Medusa vase are among the museum-worthy collection on offer from this husband and wife team. galerie-vauclair.fr
Les Puces de Vanves | 21 Av. Georges Lafenestre, 75014
This antidote to the touristy Marché aux Puces is smaller and more charming, Tucker says: “a true ‘brocante’ offering furniture, trinkets, paintings, fabrics, glassware…and curiosities,” among other finds. (Saturday and Sunday mornings from 7am to 1pm) pucesdevanves.com
Paul Bert Serpette | 110 Rue de Rosiers, 93400
Some 350 dealers on site make this among the world’s most sprawling antiques markets. Open every weekend, year-round—from Friday morning through Monday. Treasure abounds. paulbert-serpette.com
EXPERIENCE
Hôtel de la Marine | 2 Pl. de la Concorde, 75008
A favorite of Fernando Wong, this restored circa 1757 palace will leave you feeling like you’ve time traveled to a decidedly more opulent era. hotel-de-la-marine.paris
Jardin de l’Hôtel de Sully | 5 Pl. des Vosges, 75004
Green thumbs arrive from across the globe to wander the manicured gardens of this 17th century hôtel particulier. Victor Hugo once lived here, and it shows. hotel-de-sully.fr
Musée Bourdelle | 18 Rue Antoine Bourdelle, 75015
The former home, studio and sculpture garden where Rodin’s protegee Antoine Bourdelle worked is now open for gratis tours. Closed Monday. bourdelle.paris.fr
Musée des Arts Décoratifs | 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001
A hidden gem of the Louvre: this ode to design, where this year you can ogle some 600 Christophle gold and silver pieces, like Ramdame Touhami’s silver coffee cup. madparis.fr
Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature | 62 Rue des Archives, 75003
Tucker recommends this de facto cabinet of curiosities, or “Parisian eccentricity at its finest,” she says. Amid the 5,000 treasures, you might spot everything from a fanciful 18th century dog house to a stuffed polar bear that towers nearly 10 feet. chassenature.org/
The American Party | Hôtel de Ville, 75004
A party that sells out in minutes, The American is the see-and-be-seen event of Déco Off, where editors, designers and textile houses all mingle to fabulous fanfare. americanpartyinparis.com
The Famous Lanterns of Deco Off | Rue Jacob, 75006
Oversized lanterns hang high above rue Jacob, upholstered with newest fabrics from participating textile houses signaling the annual rendez-vous of the world’s best interior designers and design editors with more than 150 showrooms.
STAY
1, Place Vendôme | 1 Pl. Vendôme, Paris, 75001
Set above the Chopard Boutique, this ultra private option is Wong’s go-to respite on the right bank. With only five rooms and 10 suites, the interiors were dreamed up by designer Pierre-Yves Rochon alongside the owners of Chopard itself, the Scheufele family. An indulgent stay in Paris, to say the least. 1-placevendome.com/en/
Hotel Costes | 7 Rue de Castiglione, 75001
Night owls often stay here for the buzzing bar scene, where coteries of the well-heeled and well-read mingle into the wee hours within steps of your hotel suite. Lunch at the hotel’s restaurant La Terrasse is a favorite of Wong. hotelcostes.com
Hôtel Lutetia | 45 Bd Raspail, 75006
An architectural showstopper, with holdovers from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras reborn anew by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, and a zippy walk from all Déco Off activities. hotellutetia.com
Hotel Madison | 143 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006
Airy, warm guest rooms and a very Paris backstory (Albert Camus wrote L'Étranger here) . hotel-madison.com
La Réserve Paris | 42 Av. Gabriel, 75008
Suites with terraces overlooking the Eiffel Tower, a highly Instagrammable spiral staircase, and a gleaming indoor pool, hammam and Swiss anti-aging team make this stay a stunner. lareserve-paris.com
Le Meurice | 228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001
Designed by Philippe Starck, with doting service and a Michelin-starred restaurant by Alain Ducasse. dorchestercollection.com
Relais Christine | 3 Rue Christine, 75006
With an on-site Spa Guerlain and maximalist guest rooms, this is inarguably where Marie Antoinette would stay for Déco Off. Bonus: a central proximity to the showrooms. relais-christine.com
La Coupole | 102 Bd du Montparnasse
Henry Miller came to this brasserie for breakfast, and you should too. Is it touristy, or is it fabulous? The eternal question. Here, one worth asking for its abundant oyster platters and palpable 1927 aura. lacoupole-paris.com
Les Antiquaires | 13 rue du Bac, 75007
In the shadow of Musée d'Orsay, this welcoming respite offers comfort food dishes that range from grilled prawns in a spiced red coconut milk to one of the best hamburgers in Paris. lesantiquaires.net
Le Procope | 13 Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie
This storied restaurant (founded in 1686) is the perfect landing spot after a redeye to dust up on your French. Their coq au vin is fiercely traditional—as is being in the presence of gorgeous French ladies who lunch. procope.com
Paul | 15 Place Dauphine, 75001
Perched on Dauphine Square and beloved for its housemade fois gras with red onion confit and gratiné marrow bone served alongside a passel of crispy vegetables. restaurantpaul.fr
Ralph’s | 173 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006
Leave it to Ralph Lauren to turn heads with American fare in Paris. Ask for a seat by the limestone hearth, and order the calamari with pickled jalapeno tartar sauce and a filet mignon if you know what’s good for you. ralphlauren.co
Ritz Paris | 15 Pl. Vendôme, 75001
The pride of Place Vendôme has a top-shelf bar (no surprise), an ideal place to indulge in Beluga Impérial caviar and glazed Orléans chicken with poulette sauce. Wong admires it as “the world’s greatest breakfast buffet.” ritzparis.com
Dinner
Chez Dumonet | 117 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006
Proof this restaurant is utterly fantastique: it’s closed on weekends. Order the duck confit, arguably the best in Paris. chezdumonet.com
Chez Georges | 1 rue du Mail, 75002
You’ll step foot into the Art Nouveau period at this 1926 brasserie, where plump leather banquettes are perfect perches for indulging in Provençal-style prawns or housemade chocolate profiteroles. restaurantsparisiens.com
Ellsworth | 34 Rue de Richelieu, 75001
Beef tenderloin served with celeriac puree and chocolate oat crumbles with amarena cherries are practically required orders at this darling hole-in-the-wall fronting Jardin du Palais Royal. ellsworthparis.com
Pétrelle | 34 Rue Petrelle, 75009
A Michelin Guide spot that’s Romantic with a capital R (it’s teensy, and lit by candles) where we had the pleasure of hosting an intimate dinner during Déco Off 2024. It’s run by a darling husband and wife team that serves dishes like sea bass wrapped in brioche served with wild garlic and green asparagus. petrelle.fr
Sola | 12 rue de l’Hoel Colbert, 75005
With one glowing Michelin Star, this prix fixe omakase restaurant is worth all the fanfare, but we love the barrel vaulted stone cellar interior just as much as the food. restaurant-sola.com
