PARIS takes the concept of shopping for the home to unexpected heights with the revamped 10-story home furnishings emporium at Printemps, the French hyper–
department store on Boulevard Haussmann. The 19th-century building is organized not into objects (stemware, candles), but into lifestyles. For tablecloths and country-style linens, head to the Charming Home on 4. For a Peuguot pepper mill, the Practical Home is on 3. Mariage Fréres teas are on 5, the Ethnic Home.
Only the French would consider cosmetics an integral part of home furnishings, and in November, the home store launches its final two floors – 45,000 square feet devoted to beauty. The ground floor’s for perfumes and cosmetics; the second floor’s dedicated to skin care, including quickie coiffures. “Coaches” will give clueless shoppers advice on the 200 brands for sale.
Wind down at the rooftop Terrace cafeteria. Take your noisette (small cup of strong coffee with a touch of milk) to an outside table – the view of Montmartre is free (printemps.com).