A new player has entered Monaco’s online marketplace scene. Meubles Monaco, founded just two weeks ago, hopes to change the way locals buy and sell high-quality second-hand furniture. In an interview with Monaco Life, Isobel Ridley, the platform’s founder, shares the inspiration behind the concept.
Barely a fortnight ago, Isobel Ridley launched Meubles Monaco, an online platform dedicated to buying and selling second-hand furniture in the Principality. Her new business addresses a gap in Monaco’s fast-moving property market by providing a streamlined way for residents to rehome high-quality pieces rather than discard them.
Ridley, 35, comes from a family that has lived in Monaco for the past eight years. She splits her time between the Principality and London but is now spending an increasing portion of it in Monaco.
After graduating from Durham University with a degree in Ancient History, Ridley turned to entrepreneurship. At 24, she founded Lavender Hill, a sustainable clothing brand that she has been running for the past 11 years. The company, which started in London, has since grown into a fully remote international business, allowing her to focus on new ventures like Meubles Monaco.
This latest business concept came about by chance, she tells Monaco Life.
“I had some family friends who were moving and didn’t know what to do with their furniture,” she explains. “I thought I’d help them, and I started looking around—there wasn’t one dedicated place to list second-hand furniture. There are Facebook groups and big French platforms, but nothing specifically for quality pieces. Also, on Facebook, listings can easily get lost.”
What began as a one-off effort quickly evolved into a full-fledged business.
“I couldn’t believe no one had done it before,” says Ridley.
A marketplace designed for Monaco
With a high turnover of residents, frequent redecorations and countless expats coming and going year-round, Ridley saw an opportunity.
“You have people moving in and out all the time—whether they’re here for work, retiring, local Monegasques or students. And if you’ve been here a few years, bought furniture and now want a change, there wasn’t an easy way to sell it,” she says.
Meubles Monaco operates as a marketplace where sellers list their furniture, paying a small onboarding fee of €20. Buyers place a €25 deposit to secure an item before viewing it in person, ensuring only serious inquiries. If they proceed with the purchase, the deposit is deducted from the final price, and Meubles Monaco takes a 15% commission from the sale. The company does not store or transport furniture but can recommend local movers.
The platform is currently focused on Monaco and its immediate surroundings, including Cap d’Ail, but Ridley sees potential for expansion across the French Riviera and even into Italy.
“It’s not just about people moving in and out of apartments; it’s also for those buying and selling holiday homes or second homes,” she explains.
Sustainability and changing consumer habits
Sustainability is at the core of Meubles Monaco.
“It’s all about circularity—reusing and giving furniture a second life,” she notes. “If you don’t want something, someone else might.”
Ridley has long been committed to sustainable business practices, something she first applied to her clothing brand.
“When I set up Lavender Hill 11 years ago, I saw a gap for high-quality, natural fabric basics. We were transparent about sustainability from the start. It’s the same with Meubles Monaco—it’s about quality, transparency and responsible consumption,” she tells Monaco Life.
The marketplace has already gained traction, with several pieces listed and more sellers preparing to add their furniture.
“The response has been incredibly positive. I posted about it in a Facebook group, and within hours, there were 75 likes and 15 people commenting, asking why this hadn’t existed before,” says Ridley.
Despite this enthusiasm, Ridley acknowledges the biggest challenge will be maintaining momentum.
“You can have a great launch, but keeping people engaged is the hard part,” she says. “With my other business, I’ve learned that repeat customers are key. The goal is to build trust and a loyal customer base.”
A focus on quality
The platform prioritises premium products over mass-market furniture.
“We’re very much about quality,” she explains. “Furniture is an investment, and people don’t want to just throw it away—they want to find it a new home.”
Trends in furniture design, she notes, are leaning toward contemporary styles, but tastes vary.
“We have a mix—contemporary and antique pieces like a Louis XV-style marble-top chest of drawers,” says Ridley, before commenting on a shift in spending habits. “With the current economic climate, people are more cautious about purchases. Buying second-hand is becoming more accepted.”
Looking ahead
Ridley is clear about Meubles Monaco’s identity.
“We want to create a seamless, safe online environment for buying and selling, where people trust the platform,” she says proudly
When asked what she enjoys most about running a business, Ridley says excitedly, “The diversity—one minute you’re looking at cash flow forecasts, the next you’re designing a new product or talking to customers. Feedback is crucial. As an entrepreneur, you have to adapt and evolve with trends. You can’t be stagnant.”
For anyone considering launching a sustainable business, her advice is simple: “The most important thing is to try. Even if you fail, at least you tried—that’s already an achievement.”
To explore the Meubles Monaco marketplace for yourself, click here.
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