San Francisco - July 22, 2005

We’ll Always Have Paris

Urban Nest Shop

Ever since your year abroad in France — Bordeaux with lunch, guilt-free puffs of Gauloises — you solemnly swore to become an expat in the City of Lights.

But with your savings account looking pretty anemic these days (not to mention the sorry state of the exchange rate), you might have to wait for that Parisian pied-à-terre.

In the meantime, wing your way over to The Urban Nest, a new shop in Noe Valley, to give your home a little je ne sais quoi. Pots of roses, vintage clocks, and leather valises set a romantic mood, while Edith Piaf warbles on the sound system.

Rifle through affordable French Country accoutrements like hand-painted tea sets and floral linen tablecloths as well as more modern wares from Bay Area designers. Bird lovers will delight in the avian motif and want to stock up on copper birdie candlestick holders, glazed ceramic birdbaths, and handblown glass bird vases.

With your newfound Gallic flair, you can be sure you’ll always have Paris.

Without ever leaving chez toi.

The Urban Nest, 3927 24th Street, between Noe and Sanchez Streets (415-341-0116).