A little red Fiat loaded with plants in the courtyard at Merci, 111 Bd. Beaumarchais, Paris. My lovely friend Di Overton and I visited Merci and were struck by its intriguing mix of merchandise and innovative design.
Marie-France and Bernard Cohen, founders of the children's clothing boutique Bonpoint, decided to put their retail skills to good use, while raising funds for charity. Proceeds from sales at Merci go to aid poor women and children in Madagascar.
The view from the second floor.
The store's main entranceway. The large loops on either side of the door are radiators, from the building's days as a factory.
A book-filled cafe.
A tall stack of paperback books.
Red chairs.
Bottles made of recycled glass.
Chandelier constructed of wire and clay beads.
Vintage crystal chandelier.
Painted wooden tables, with paper-covered tops.
Vintage grocery sign.
Mid-century folding webbed fabric and metal chaises.
Lawn chairs from the '50s and '60s.
An antique iron garden chair.
Old steel school lockers.
A wirework birdcage filled with pigeon lights.
A child's bed on a ledge.
A clothesline displaying summer essentials.
Merci spelled in twigs and wire. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Take the metro to Saint Sébastien Froissard.
P.S. I am in Amsterdam for a few days. Back soon with photos and stories.





