Sometimes, all it takes is one perfect piece to make a project sing. The kind of chair, lamp, side table or even wallpaper that sparks conversation and brings the whole space together.

But as every interior designer knows, finding that standout feature is often the hardest part.

Google “unique furniture stores” and you’ll get the same tired results. Big brands, generic collections and roundup lists that never quite hit the mark. The real gems? They’re buried, or tucked away with barely a web presence.

We know the feeling all too well, because we’ve been there more times than we’d like to admit. Working in the interior design space and building thesheet, we’ve been asked again and again: “Where did you find that?”

So we finally did what any slightly obsessive design lover would do – we made a better list.

Meet Francis. A growing collection of interesting, design-forward stores from around Europe. Nothing fancy, just a smarter place to start your next sourcing search.

Why Did We Build Francis

Francis started as a simple notes file. While working on design projects and building thesheet, founders Oliver and Ronald kept track of the kinds of stores they actually liked. The ones with original pieces, unexpected finds and none of the same top ten Pinterest chairs.

“It wasn’t meant to be anything more than that,” says Oliver. “But then friends started asking for recommendations. Clients wanted to know where things were from. And other designers were clearly looking for the same thing."

Eventually, it just made sense to turn that list into something public. One link we could send when someone asked, “Where do you shop for furniture?”

Francis isn’t trying to be everything. It’s not a marketplace or a big startup. It’s just a curated shortcut for anyone who’s ever hit page five of Google and still found nothing inspiring.

Why It’s Useful for Interior Designers

Clients like to feel special. That means they don’t just want a beautiful space, they want one that feels personal, elevated and different from everything they’ve seen before. And a big part of that comes down to what you can find.

Using the same stores as everyone else can make even great design feel predictable. Francis gives you an easy way to find more original pieces. The kind that add depth to a project and make people ask, “Where did you find these?”

It’s a way to bring more character into your work and raise the perceived value of what you deliver. Even if you’re not actively sourcing, it’s still a great place to browse, bookmark and get inspired for what’s next.

What You’ll Find on Francis

Francis is a growing collection of curated design stores.The kind that don’t always show up on page one of your search. From independent boutiques to niche vintage shops and hidden gems across Europe, it’s built for designers who want to dig a little deeper.

You can filter by country, city or category. And it’s not just furniture! You’ll find lighting, textiles, vintage pieces, wallpaper, ceramics, and more. Whether you're sourcing a specific item or trying to find your next favourite store, it’s easy to browse and bookmark what catches your eye.

Most of the stores are Europe-based for now, but the list keeps growing. And every store comes with a short description and a direct link. No middlemen, no fluff.

We Hope it Helps You Design More Unique Spaces

Francis isn’t backed by a big company or trying to be the next furniture marketplace. It’s just a tool we needed ourselves and figured other designers might too. Something to make the hunt for great design a little easier, a little faster and a lot more fun.

If it helps you skip one frustrating afternoon of endless scrolling, that’s already a win in our book. And if it leads you to that one perfect piece your client didn’t expect? Even better.

So whether you’re sourcing for a project or just collecting inspiration, we hope Francis gives you a fresh place to start.

Check Francis out and maybe your next favourite store is already on the list.