XXO
Since 1997, XXO has been the specialist in the rental of vintage design and furniture for events, fairs and receptions, in Paris and the rest of France. The facade of the building is somewhat industrial, lacking any real clues as to what lays behind the shutters. It is easy to find though, on the outskirts of the city center of Paris and there is plenty of parking to be had just outside. XXO has garnered quite the reputation for quality over the years it has been in business, and once you get a peek at the merchandise it is easy to see why.
The driving passion behind XXO is bespoke and creative interior design, closely followed by a love of all things vintage. There are three brains behind this endeavor, and the store began as an amalgamation of each of their own collections of vintage items and curios. It has been growing organically for the past 20 years and has become more and more focused on design, restoration, and creativity to complement the already-honed skills of collecting! XXO works regularly with major luxury houses such as Hermès, Givenchy or Stella Mc Cartney, and companies in the world of advertising such as BBDO and BETC.
Behind the entrance door to XXO stands a “mountain of vintage furniture“, as described by the owners themselves. This seems to be no exaggeration as every inch of space in the 4000 square foot warehouse is utilized in storing items in some way. From Paulin to Starck, Hermann Miller to Knoll, Eames, Panton, or Le Corbusier, visitors can enjoy unique pieces born from the genius of the greatest designers of the 20th century.
There is not always a clear system to be found and a visitor’s eye may simply pass over the wares, struggling to focus on or find particular items of interest. You can hop aboard a transatlantic liner, go skiing in Aspen, or enjoy a cocktail in the same nightclub as in A Clockwork Orange. However, shoppers should not be daunted by this, but allow a little extra time to get one’s eye used to the chaos and begin to find the treasures. Like the best flea markets, it takes a bit of rummaging and getting one’s hands dirty to come up trumps here.
Even if XXO is almost exclusively dedicated to the rental of vintage and contemporary design furniture, lighting, and decorative objects, they always organize an exceptional annual sale each year in December. It is an event not to be missed because it is extremely rare and offers the opportunity to buy certain pieces that are difficult to find elsewhere. In addition to its rental activity, XXO also offers a valuation service. They take on research into unknown antiques with pleasure and will uncover many a story behind valuable collectible items.
