Hey there, furniture shoppers! If you‘re anything like me, you want your home to reflect your unique personal style, but you also don‘t want to spend a fortune in the process. That‘s why I was excited to discover Frances and Son, a New York-based furniture company that offers a curated selection of contemporary pieces at reasonable price points.
I‘m always on the hunt for the latest and greatest in home decor, so I knew I had to put Frances and Son to the test. Over the past few months, I‘ve ordered several pieces from their website, visited their showroom, and pored over hundreds of customer reviews to bring you all the details. So settle in and get ready for my no-holds-barred Frances and Son review!
What is Frances and Son?
Before we dive into the nitty gritty, let‘s start with some background on the company. Frances and Son was founded in New York City by a team of design enthusiasts who wanted to make stylish, well-crafted furniture accessible to more people. The company doesn‘t reveal much about its history or the individual founders, but its mission is clear: "to help you transform your space into the home of your dreams."
One thing that sets Frances and Son apart is its thoughtful curation. Unlike mass retailers that sell thousands of products in every style imaginable, Frances and Son offers a tightly edited selection of around 500 pieces, mostly in the contemporary and mid-century modern aesthetic. The product lineup includes:
- Sofas and sectionals
- Beds and bedroom furniture
- Dining tables and chairs
- Coffee and side tables
- Home office furniture
- Lighting and decor
Price-wise, Frances and Son sits comfortably in the "affordable luxury" category. You won‘t find rock-bottom deals like at IKEA or Target, but the prices are significantly lower than high-end designer showrooms. Here‘s a quick breakdown of the price ranges for some of the most popular items:
| Product Category | Starting Price | Maximum Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sofas | $999 | $3,499 |
| Sectionals | $1,899 | $4,999 |
| Dining Tables | $599 | $1,899 |
| Bed Frames | $799 | $2,499 |
In terms of target customer, I‘d say Frances and Son is ideal for young professionals and families who want to invest in quality pieces but don‘t have an unlimited budget. The company also seems to attract a lot of city dwellers, since the furniture is designed with small spaces in mind.
The Frances and Son Shopping Experience
One of the biggest risks of buying furniture online is not being able to see it in person before you commit. Luckily, Frances and Son has a spacious showroom in the heart of Manhattan where you can experience the pieces up close. I made an appointment to visit the showroom last month and it did not disappoint!
The space is bright, airy, and thoughtfully laid out with room vignettes showcasing different design ideas. I was immediately drawn to the Piazza Sofa, a low-profile couch with bench cushions and sleek metal legs. The ivory boucle fabric was so soft and cozy – I could have napped on it right then and there!
What impressed me most was the knowledge and friendliness of the sales associates. My rep, Lisa, was super patient as I tried out multiple sofas and peppered her with questions. She was able to speak in detail about the materials, construction, and customization options for each piece. It was refreshing to get honest, personalized recommendations rather than just a hard sell.
Of course, not everyone lives in NYC or has the time to visit a showroom. If you prefer to shop online, the Frances and Son website is very user-friendly and informative. Each product page includes multiple high-res photos from different angles, detailed dimensions and specs, fabric swatches, and customer reviews. There‘s even an augmented reality feature that lets you visualize the furniture in your own space!
Shipping-wise, Frances and Son offers free delivery on orders over $999 to the continental US. For smaller items like accessories and lighting, there‘s a flat rate shipping fee of $25. In-stock items typically arrive within 1-2 weeks, while custom furniture has a 5-8 week lead time. I was lucky that my sofa was in stock and it was delivered within 5 business days.
The delivery itself was a breeze – the crew arrived on time, unwrapped and assembled the sofa for me, and took away all the packaging. They even texted me updates on the day of delivery so I could plan accordingly. 10/10 would recommend!
Product Quality and Customer Feedback
Now for the moment of truth – how did the actual furniture hold up? I ordered the Piazza Sofa, Sven Dining Table, and Lars Media Console for my living room and I‘m happy to report that the quality exceeded my expectations.
The sofa is firm and supportive with just the right amount of give. The fabric is thick and tightly woven with no loose threads or wrinkles. I was a little nervous about choosing a light color, but so far it has resisted stains and dirt (even with my messy toddler running around!)
The dining table is a work of art with its sculptural metal base and round glass top. It‘s super sturdy and doesn‘t wobble at all, which is a pet peeve of mine. I also love that it comes with a micro-suede storage bag to protect the glass when not in use.
As for the media console, I was impressed by the solid wood construction and dovetail joinery on the drawers. No MDF or veneers here! The white oak finish is smooth and consistent with no obvious knots or imperfections. My one complaint is that the pre-drilled holes for the drawer pulls were slightly misaligned, but it was an easy fix.
But enough about my opinion – what are other customers saying? I dug through hundreds of verified reviews on sites like Trustpilot, Sitejabber, Houzz, and Yelp to get a balanced perspective. Here‘s a snapshot of Frances and Son‘s online reputation:
| Review Site | Overall Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.3/5 | 347 |
| Sitejabber | 4.7/5 | 218 |
| Houzz | 4.5/5 | 102 |
| Yelp | 4.1/5 | 56 |
As you can see, the vast majority of customers are very satisfied with their Frances and Son purchases. Common praise points include:
- High quality materials and craftsmanship
- Stylish, timeless designs
- Smooth delivery and assembly
- Responsive customer service
- Good value for the price
Of course, no company is perfect and there were a few negative reviews sprinkled in. The most frequent complaints seem to be around delayed shipping times and inconsistent quality control. However, Frances and Son‘s customer service team is very proactive about responding to complaints and finding resolutions.
Here are a few standout reviews that sum up the overall sentiment:
"I was a little hesitant to order such a big piece without seeing it in person, but I‘m so glad I took the leap! The Eden Sectional is even more gorgeous in real life – the velvet is buttery soft and the color is a perfect dusty rose. It‘s clear that a lot of thought and care went into the design and construction. Worth every penny!" – Sarah L. on Trustpilot
"Beautiful, well-made furniture. I furnished my entire bedroom with Frances and Son pieces (Ander Bed, Frey Dresser, Frey Nightstand) and couldn‘t be happier. The white glove delivery service was a godsend – they took care of all the heavy lifting and assembly for me. My only regret is not ordering the matching mirror!" – Ken T. on Sitejabber
"I had a bit of a nightmare experience with another online furniture retailer, so I was nervous to try again. But Frances and Son exceeded my expectations by a mile! The customer service team was super responsive and helped me find the perfect dining set for my space. The delivery crew was courteous and professional. And most importantly, the furniture is top notch quality. I‘ll definitely be back for more!" – Jenna P. on Houzz
How Frances and Son Stacks Up to the Competition
If you‘re considering Frances and Son, you might be wondering how they compare to other popular online furniture destinations like West Elm, Article, and Interior Define. While all of these retailers offer stylish, contemporary pieces, there are some key differences to note.
Price: Frances and Son‘s prices are very competitive with West Elm and Article, and generally lower than Interior Define. For example, a similar leather sofa from each brand would cost:
- West Elm (Axel Sofa): $2,199
- Article (Timber Sofa): $2,099
- Interior Define (Maxwell Sofa): $2,400
- Frances and Son (Holden Sofa): $1,899
Of course, prices can vary depending on customization options, but overall I‘ve found Frances and Son to be one of the best values in the mid-range furniture market.
Quality: All of these retailers use high-quality materials like kiln-dried hardwood, premium fabrics, and top-grain leather. However, I‘ve noticed that Frances and Son and Article pay extra attention to the details – think reinforced joinery, hand-stitched cushions, and solid wood legs (no plastic!). Interior Define is also known for its top-notch construction and lifetime warranty.
Shipping: Frances and Son, West Elm, and Article all offer free or flat rate shipping depending on your order total. Interior Define charges a flat $99 delivery fee. One advantage of West Elm is that they have brick and mortar stores in most major cities where you can see products in person and take advantage of in-store pickup.
Customization: If you‘re looking for a completely custom piece, Interior Define is the way to go. They offer a huge range of fabric and leather options, as well as the ability to tweak dimensions and configurations to suit your space. Frances and Son and Article have a more curated selection, but still offer some customization like wood finish and leg style. West Elm has the least flexibility in terms of made-to-order furniture.
Customer Service: This is one area where Frances and Son really shines. Their customer service team is responsive, knowledgeable, and always willing to go above and beyond to ensure a positive experience. Article is also known for its excellent communication and speedy issue resolution. West Elm and Interior Define are a bit more hit-or-miss in terms of service, based on my personal experience and customer reviews.
Ultimately, the right retailer for you will depend on your specific needs and priorities. But if you‘re looking for stylish, well-crafted furniture at a reasonable price point, with the added bonus of great customer service, Frances and Son should definitely be on your short list!
The Bottom Line
Phew, that was a lot of information to digest! But I hope this in-depth review has given you a better sense of what Frances and Son is all about and whether they‘re worth considering for your next furniture purchase.
In my humble opinion, Frances and Son is a fantastic option for anyone who wants to invest in high-quality, design-forward pieces without totally blowing their budget. The company‘s attention to detail, commitment to customer service, and thoughtful curation really set them apart from other online retailers.
Of course, no brand is perfect and there are a few potential drawbacks to keep in mind. Frances and Son‘s selection is relatively limited compared to giants like Wayfair and Amazon, so you might not find the exact style you‘re looking for. And while the prices are competitive, they‘re still a significant investment for most people.
But if you value craftsmanship, timeless design, and a smooth customer experience, I think you‘ll be more than satisfied with Frances and Son. I know I certainly am! My living room has never looked better and I feel good knowing that I supported a small business with a genuine passion for furniture.
To sum it up, here are the key reasons why I recommend giving Frances and Son a try:
- High-quality, design-forward furniture at fair prices
- Curated selection with a focus on contemporary and mid-century modern style
- Excellent customer service and communication
- Flexible delivery options, including white glove service
- Brick and mortar showroom for in-person viewing (if you‘re in NYC)
- Customization options for many pieces
- Positive customer reviews and brand reputation
So what are you waiting for? Head to franceandson.com and start browsing! And if you do end up making a purchase, I‘d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. Happy shopping, furniture fans!
