Quintessence

~~Winter Wonderland~~
A friend and I were furniture shopping in downtown Menlo Park when I saw a Christmas land through the window of Quintessence.
The entrance is in the back and there is no way to get in from the main downtown street, at least during the holidays.
Every room had a different holiday theme. Christmas tree galore.
Lots of great decorating ideas, antiques and trinkets.
Everyone should go in here at least once. I wonder what it looks like when its not December…

When you’re in this store you feel like you’re in a beautifully decorated home. It’s that warm and enviting. I love everything about this store… from their French antiques to the multitude of accessories. You’ve got to see this place during the holidays (Halloween, Christmas, Easter) when the owner packs the store with holiday decorations. All price points are covered so there’s something for everyone.

I have never written a review on Unilocal but use it and take it seriously. f I could give this store a zero star, I would! I went into this shop about a month ago and found the store full of lovely, unique items. A wall hanging that I first believed was a floral hand painted item, maybe one of a kind, distressed, old recycled wood plank and painted. I was looking for a large wall hanging and I really thought it was very eye catching. The sales woman was lovely and did let me know that it was a reproduction and mass produced. I didn’t care at that time because I already decided that i wanted it. The price was rather high for a mass produced wall hanging. It cost $ 400.00. Just yesterday I went into my local home goods store. I couldn’t believe that I saw my exact $ 400.00 wall hanging in the stacks of art work. Regular price $ 160.00 on sale for $ 75.00. i just figured I would go back to the store in Menlo Park and let them know it just didn’t work out and return it. I got there tonight just minutes after they closed. I asked if i could quickly talk to the owner/​manager. She came outside to speak to me. I was honest and let her know I found the exact item for less than a 5^th of what I bought from her shop. She was very defensive and said she can’t compete with those stores. She told me she had paid close to that amount for the art piece. I told her it was marked on the home goods price tag orig. $ 160.00 on sale for $ 75.00. She then changed her tune saying that’s about what she paid for it ($ 160.) I assume the home goods store was still making a profit off the item that was marked on sale for $ 75.00!!! I asked if I could return it for store credit, she said absolutely not. (those were her exact words) I told her she could sell it to someone else for $ 400.00. She copped a total snooty attitude. She did tell me that there were signs in the store that said no returns. What stores these days have a no return policy? Ones that I assume know that they are ripping people off. Without saying I will never go back and I will spread the word. I suggest checking a home good store first.

I love this store! It has home accessories and decorating ideas that are unique and fresh. They have really fun items at the holidays; Christmas and Halloween are especially amazing. The sales staff are friendly and helpful. This store is worth a visit if you live in the Bay Area. I drive from the east bay just to check out the seasonal displays and have lunch in Menlo Park.

I have never purchased anything in the store… yet…because it’s a little pricey, but I love going in with my boyfriend and looking around. I’ve been there twice, with two different sales ladies and both were really nice to me and made sure that I was ok. I’m young and look like I probably won’t buy anything (which I don’t)…and they were still really nice. This place is decorated great, they have awesome things to offer, and the sales people were nice. Eventually, I will buy something!!!