The Top III, Vol. VII

Paris design edition: Home decor, kitchen essentials, vintage, and more

AXS Design

My obsession with making the home a reassuring and comfortable cocoon started long before Covid forced us all to look at our personal spaces in a new light. But it really ramped up when my husband and I did a V.A.T.— very adult thing — and bought a house nearly two hours from Paris (another mid-Covid life decision). You know when your home owning friends and family issue snarky wishes of good luck because they know how much work the endeavor entails and try to warn you and you laugh it off? Yeah, that’s about where we are. And that’s without any need for renovation!

But the most pleasant part of the experience is turning the promise of a home into an actual home that reflects who we are. The decorating is a key part of this transformation.

This is not a place for styling tips or serious brocante recommendations— for that, I leave you in the very capable hands of

Ajiri Aki

. This is a look at the places that I have turned to time and again for essentials, affordable vintage or antique pieces, some textiles (including a few custom pieces), and some bonus resources since three is nice but not a true depiction of how we’ve sourced everything.

Have other favorites? Tell me in the comments!

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Ariel & Sydney, AXS Design. Photo: Romain Ricard

AXS Design
12 Rue St Sabin, 75011 Paris

I first discovered AXS Design during Covid, when the owners Ariel Novak and Sydney Sabatier had little more than a home atelier and a virtual shop on the vintage marketplace Selency. I was reporting a story for Fortune on the boom in second-hand and resale platforms (which also included a look at Vinted and the refurbished electronics unicorn BackMarket) and spoke to them about the launch of their own e-commerce site and rapid surge in their business. Since, they’ve been comfortably set up at the back of a courtyard near Bastille with an absolute treasure trove of decorative items, tableware, linens, large furniture, and lighting they source from across the country. When one holds down the fort and works on special requests (such as the big vintage dishware order they filled for Le Doyenné restaurant outside of Paris), the other is driving from one antique market to the other for new finds. I’ve bought dishware, a wooden armchair, cushions, knives, and a handful of other small touches that have all been welcome (and affordable) additions to our home. What’s more, Ariel and Sydney are full of good advice and have a keen eye for what will work in your space— ask them!

You can get a good sense of their space and the kinds of pieces they carry from this video but do follow them on Instagram for latest finds (like this daybed I wish I could bring home!)