BOLIA.COM
by Vivian Holding
One of my favourite Scandi interior design brands has made it to Geneva. Bolia.com finally opened the doors of their new store in Eaux-Vives in September.
As you may have realised by now, I love scandi interiors – the clean lines, quality craftsmanship and beautiful design. I first discovered Bolia a few years back in Malmö, Sweden – and instantly fell in love. Little did I know back then, that this amazing brand would branch out into Switzerland – never mind Geneva.
Not only can I now buy their stylish designs on my doorstep, but it also gives me an excuse to visit one of my favourite historical buildings – La Maison de Paons (The Peacock House).
The art nouveau masterpiece dating from the early 1900s, which has recently undergone a massive refurbishment, is worth more than just a second glance as you enter the store.
Falling in love with a mustard yellow velvet chaise longue
So excited to be in the store, I’m unsure where to start first – my usual tendency is to turn right and go in an anti-clockwise direction. Chené has other ideas and is instantly drawn to the left – her eyes set on the stunning range of glassware in rich blues and greens, matching the gorgeous peacock feathers hanging from the ceiling.
I fall instantly in love with the mustard yellow velvet chaise longue in the window, an impressive and weighty marble tray I will return to buy once my new kitchen has been installed, as well as the modular STRAP shelving range that will also look just perfect in there.
We test a large squidgy velvety green sofa – obviously too big for most Geneva lounges, we thought but gorgeous. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of other sofas to choose from. Why not personalise your sofa by choosing from a fantastic variety of cushion fabric and different designs for your sofa’s legs? Delivery is free on orders over 1,500CHF or collect your items from their hub in Gland.
Store manager Sabrina Chevrel says, “We have no big warehouses and no old stock. We only have perfectly tailored items customised to your personal tastes. Hand made from the finest materials and delivered, straight to your door or collected from our pick-up point in Gland.”
Not just high tag items
We found some very reasonably priced accessories – from vases priced between 15/20chf, baskets, bowls, candles, room fragrances as well as some gorgeous bathroom toiletries. Perfect for birthday or wedding gifts.
What I bought
I temporarily satisfied my marble addiction, by purchasing three gorgeous marble bowls at 25chf each, as well as a cutting board at 59chf.
Customer service of the highest standard
Store manager Sabrina is friendly and very knowledgeable. With well over 25 years experience in the luxury goods market, she certainly knows a thing or two about how to treat customers, as do her staff and as a bonus, they speak English!
“We like to make you feel at home and give you the most inspiring experience. You can feel, touch and try all our furniture whilst enjoying a cup of our organic coffee.”
The Brand
Bolia is a Danish furniture company with stores in over 30 countries Worldwide as well as a web-shop. They have entered the Swiss marketplace only in the past year with three store openings – Zurich in November 2016, Lausanne in early summer and now Geneva.
With the creativity of 50 talented designers from around the world, they design and produce quality furniture that is both environmentally and socially responsible, using the finest and most luxurious materials available.
Top design trends for 2017/18
- Strong, dark colours – navy blue and forest green.
- Velvets are very much the material of the season.
- Marble continues to be a strong trend with white/grey Carrera marble still very much in demand – although a new green marble is proving to be very popular.
- Brass has replaced copper as the metal colour of choice.
- Plants, plants and more plants (you can never have too many!).
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Click here for website.
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 9am-7pm, closed Sunday.
