Aldea Home + Baby

This is a review for Aldea Ninos. I haven’t been back in a couple months, but I hope they still have a lot of the same or similar inventory. The toys are absolutely wonderful!
Staff was really helpful in picking out just the perfect gifts!

Very disappointed in how quickly the customer «service» turned sour today. As a neighbor, I’ve been a loyal customer since Aldea’s very beginnings on 17^th street. It was my go-​to place for gifts and baby items once I had my own. When Aldea Niños first opened it was staffed by warm and exceptionally family friendly staff. Today was my second time checking out the big store since Aldea Niños was merged into it. It took all of 5 minutes to realize families are not actually welcome to shop there any longer. My very mellow girl touched a toy that was open for display, and I took my eyes off of her for one second to look at a price tag. This apparently warrants a scolding by the saleswoman which sent me packing.
If you are a parent actually trying to buy something, you need the staff to create an atmosphere of welcome for that to happen. Unfortunately Aldea is no longer that place.

Bought a rocking chair for nursing. We love the Monte products. The really tall guy worker spent a lot of time with us discussing the chairs. He was not pushy or overbearing in any way and was super helpful. He knew a lot about babies and parents.
We went in a day later to purchase it and were not enthralled with the owner. She was not very personable or kind. Wish he was there when we came back to purchase it.

Do not shop here! So disappointed and frustrated with my experience here. Last year early December I stopped in and bought several cute unique stocking stuffers for my family. I fell in love with an emerald ring at the counter and decided to treat myself. I was in a rush heading to work so didn’t notice it was missing a stone. Came back a few days later to see what could be done. The manager remembered me and took down my information. He said it would be sent back to NY to get repaired and they would keep in touch with me.
After a month with no word I called just to check in. The manager remembered me and said Valerie would be in contact. She left me a message later on saying it was really busy over the holidays, she just sent it off, and said it will probably be a few weeks. No worries.
So now it’s been almost four months. I actually forgot about it. Called back to see what’s going on. At this point I’m just annoyed at being kept in the dark. Is it getting repaired? Do they not have the materials? Should I just get refunded? Same manager said Valerie was at lunch (at 4:30?) But she would get back to me. It’s been a few weeks and again nothing.
So at this point I email the company, explain my situation and asked for a refund. Just let me know what’s going on. No response. I was about to call my bank about it and saw that they just refunded my money.
So this is how your customer service works? Ignore a problem and hope it goes away? Refund me but don’t even bother letting me know about it? Not even a quick «Sorry I can’t don’t hate me»? Just sweep it under the rug. I could understand if I was rude and obnoxious but I wasn’t and all of this could have been avoided.
So thanks for nothing, literally. I won’t be returning because there are plenty of shops in SF that I would rather support.
Only star goes to Dave for being nice but wish he could have helped me out.

Went shopping… for the house.
ALDEA HOME has a beautiful variety of high quality items. Located on Valencia St. near 20^th. They carry a multitude of items from home basics, to a large range of home décor. And even the smallest items like candles, picture frames, pillows & barware.
For awhile now, I’ve been on the hunt for sone Ottomans for the living room. BINGO! There was a sale! I’m happy to say I purchased two 15×15 Storage Ottomans in color Spice. They are so cool, water/​dirt resistant. Can be used to of course, sit on, put your feet up on, and now to put your storage in, like a blanket, a throw, books, Lucy’s toys – or in that rare instance when the doorbell rings and you need to clear your coffee table off quickly. We’ve all had those moments.
Staff is helpful. Go take a look around ALDEA.

The staff here are all incredibly nice and very helpful, the items they sell are very chic and cute, and they have some of the best-​dressed windows in the neighborhood!
When I say the staff are helpful, I mean that they go out of their way to answer any questions about items, assist you with finding what you’re looking for, and if you have a question they can’t answer on the spot? They take down your number, and someone calls you back the very next day with the answer! If you’re in a WHEELCHAIR/​power chair, they bend over backwards to move things out of your way so that you can access every corner of the store! That’s really awesome service.
They carry a lot of higher end items and brands, such as Jonathan Adler. This means they have higher price tags… but, at least for the Jonathan Adler items, they are the same price they would be at any other store, so it’s not like they’re marking them up for the Valencia St. location. The furniture they carry is all in following with the currently-​popular retro-60’s mod style, and so are the assorted kitchen items, barware (which is extensive, including actual rolling bar carts… an item that can often be harder to find at many furniture stores!), and even items for kids! Looking for a compact-​and-​stylish crib? Look no further! Want an über-​mod high chair for your tyke? This is definitely the place to start your search.
Other items they carry include, but are not limited to: fun greeting cards on nicely weighted card stock, contemporary fashion jewelry, cute throw pillows, rugs, Jonathan Adler pottery/​animal figurines, collectible salt/​pepper shakers, and even a 3 – 4 ft. tall version of local landmark Sutro Tower!
But my favorite part of this store? Strolling by those awesomely decorated front windows! Whoever designs them is very talented and really knows visual merchandising! I often find myself snapping pictures of those windows for my own inspiration.
All in all, a favorite neighborhood haunt of mine when I am in the mood to look at pretty things!

One of my favorite high end trendy shops on Valencia!
They carry gifts, home basics & a large range of home décor.
The owner is really down to earth & cool.

Honestly, just had the best experience with Aldea. I already loved the store– so many cute and unique things! Great for gifts.
But they really went above and beyond for me last night when at the LAST MINUTE I had to find a «unique and original blanket», that needed to be bought and picked up ASAP. I found one online and called the store to reserve it. They didn’t have the exact one but had a similar blanket. The girl on the phone described it to me, gave me the info to find it online and then even texted a picture to me– so nice!
I was able to pay over the phone, they gift-​wrapped it, sent me a picture of the receipt and we had a Postmates pick it up. All in all, it was as seamless as possible thanks to all the help of Aldeas staff! Thanks Aldea!!!

Although, the shop is on the higher end of home décor and gifts, I still really love browsing in here. We even fell in love with one of the artworks and after heading home to do some online price comparison, we ended up purchasing it from Aldea. It’s the 3D Nautical Wood Maps and Aldea’s prices were better than what you would get it for online. Plus, they occasionally have sales where I was able to snag a couple of fancy candles on the cheap.

I’ve never actually shopped at Aldea Home but I fully intended to.
My first visit was back in December — I was running a delivery to an employee of the store and I looked like a girl who was dressed to make a delivery — no makeup, sweatshirt and hair tied up in a knot. Upon arrival I became excited at the gorgeous selection of interior products and spoke briefly with the nice lady about my having just moved back to the city and needing some living room furniture. My BF and I had been to several stores around the city at this point and resigned to needing some assistance from a pro.
She confirmed they do design consulting and agreed if I provided my email they would contact me with where to send pics of the empty space. I never heard back. Then June came around and I found myself on Valencia at a framing store three doors down. I saw the Aldea sign and remembered and went back in. I was again dressed very SF casual, no frills, no makeup, plain jane no doubt looking like a girl on a budget.
I was briefly assisted by a nice gentleman who provided me some fabric swatches for a pair of chairs I asked about. Then the same woman from my first visit came over. I reminded her about my delivery and told her we were still needing to decorate the space with a budget of no more than $ 10k. She said she remembered me and once again took my email and said they would contact me. I waited for another six weeks before we finally decided to purchase a gorgeous albeit expensive (nearly half the budget) pair of chairs from OneKingsLane.
I’m not sure if it was my appearance that turned Aldea off to me or if it’s just poor customer service but either way a follow up would have been much appreciated.

Having learned of the outrageously rude treatment of Arab students and others who attempted to deliver a petition to the store manager, I will not consider shopping here.

Chouette magasin de déco/​cadeaux sur Valencia, avec pas mal de choses pour les chambres d’enfant. J’adore les petites cartes R. Nichols (genre carte de vœux /​anniversaire /​accompagnement de cadeau) aux motifs san-​franciscains qu’on y trouve ! Personnel sympathique, de bonne humeur et pas pushy.

My wife and I are expecting our first (a baby girl) this coming June.
We decided to be proactive and starting buying furniture for her room.
We picked a Bloom Alma Papa + Dresser + Change Tray and Joya Rocker.
Excellent selection, nice & knowledgeable stuff, and good value pricing.
My quarterly bonus was well-​spent I think! lol

Wow, I’ve never experienced such complete outright disregard and rudeness from an employee like I did today. I’ve spent a pretty good amount of cash in this place on more than two occasions, but I’m never going back here.
I called today to complain about a product they’re carrying, that I bought. The woman was so curt. «Ok, what product would you like to complain about.» As though she knows me personally and that I always complain. Which I actually like the products they carry, except this one and it’s the first time I’ve complained to them, ever. I started off telling her about the animal heads and I was trying to explain the product, but was quickly cut off by her. «I tell you what, go to our website and tell us what your complaint is and then email it directly to me, Jo*​*​*​*​*​@​aldeahome.​com» and the repeated her email and said «thanks» and hung up.
My jaw dropped because I didn’t even know how to react. however, the best medicine for rude businesses is to let the world know and so here I am, telling all of my fellow Unilocalers to take your money elsewhere.
There are many other places in the city where you will be listened to and not treated poorly.
I do not recommend this place. Not anymore I don’t.

God I love this inspired shop!
I highly recommend Aldea for gifts. There are so many beautiful and unique items and exploring the store is such a pleasure.
The way they have the store creatively designed and organized I’m always getting ideas for spaces in my house. Plus the furniture is gorgeous. This is the place to get that piece that pulls it all together.
I’m also a big fan of Dave’s, he always puts a smile on my face and is full of great ideas.

Too much of a good thing is sometimes a great thing.
Aldea proves me correct at least this once in life! Though they do carry an expansive selection of home accessories, furniture, cookware, small home gifts; the selections are all carefully chosen and the offerings are all grand. I suppose my only reservation is that I can’t leave before spending at least an hour in here and purchasing multiple items!
They kindly and proficiently gift wrap anything you wish (well, probably not that awesome couch you just bought), which is a lovely touch. Friendly staff that acknowledges you as a customer without being overbearing.
Happy shopping :)

So it may have taken me a while to actually get in front of my computer to write this. but my ADD aside, I really always leave this place happy, whether or not I buy something. The staff (especially Nick and Johanna) are knowledgable (well-​versed in both product knowledge and the good old fashioned concept of customer service).
They always remember me & whatever conversation we had the last time I was in (and this is sometimes months prior) and when the robe I wanted was missing a belt they gave me a discount AND ordered a new belt from the vendor for me, calling me when it arrived.
As anyone will tell you, I am my standards for outstanding service are strenuously high, and there are very few stores that make me a «loyal customer & advocate» of long-​standing, but these guys do…
As for needing to look like a wealthy person to get excellent service here, I can only add my opinion that that’s not ever been my experience, in person or by observation… And I look way more like a bartender than a billionaire…
Oh, and I am consistently blown away by the variety and uniqueness of the jewelry they carry… my set of enamel and brass bangles from here are particularly loved…
If after 2 years of shopping here, every time I have had a truly excellent experience, whether or not I was buying anything, yeah, I’m just going to let that speak for itself.
–kirstin

Well I have been going here pretty regularly so I might as well write a review.
I love this place! They have wonderful stuff — home décor, kitchen, gifts, cards, and they can order a lot of custom stuff if you want to really decorate your place.
I find the staff to be totally friendly. Even though I have actually bought quite a bit here over time (placemats, a rug, candles, bedding, even t-​shirts — — don’t miss their t-​shirt section in the back by the way), my usual experience is: walk in with baseball hat, yoga pants, and coffee cup, have a nice conversation with a staff person, don’t buy anything, leave, having enjoyed the experience! So I never ever found the staff to be rude in any way — surprised to hear other Unilocal’ers saying this. I’d say the staff are friendly, but not all up in your grill, either, which I think is the best. Heck, I’ve even sat down here and read a book on a sofa. So I say it’s a really nice place and a great addition to the ‘hood, and a perfect stop on any Mission/​Valencia walk with friends.

Unless you’re a rich-​looking white lady or a well-​dressed gay man, expect to be ignored or treated like shit here. I’ve given this place multiple chances and I always walk out of there feeling slightly terrible about myself. Either I’m completely ignored or regarded with condescension by the staff. Get over yourselves. You’re in the Mission – not Pac Heights (and I’ve gotten way better treatment at home stores there). It is sad that stores like these exist on Valencia where stores like Currents, which has exceptional customer service, are getting pushed out. Read other low star reviews… I’m not the only one who has noticed this.
One extra star for cute pillows, I guess.

Hide yo’ wife, hide yo’ kids, and hide your huzzbands. They’re about to spend all of the money.
This place is wrong. It’s pure home design porn at its most compelling. What a rocking bed, a lamp covered in faux moss, and gorgeous glass speakers? Please stop, it’s all disgustingly swoonable. I’m gonna faint. Hold up, clever kitchenwares, garden accessories, and also ice cubes that look like rocks? Who are you? Where did you come from? Why is my credit card company calling me?
Whenever I’m in need of a gift I hop over to this store and people squeal in a high-​pitched primal way when I present them with an Aldea bag. My go to present is an eggling with a letterpress card— it kills them every time and actually stays within my tight budget so if you do exercise some restraint you can make some wise purchases here that will delight and not destroy your wallet.
I love the service, the colors, the smell, the organization… it’s like the (clearer) Bi-​Rite for products that are not food.
Certainly hope it’s here to stay, from the packed way it is on weekends I think it will be! *Shiny eyes filled with glee.*

They have the bed of my dreams there, and also have some fun and quirky stuff for the home. The people are helpful and almost wanted to design my entire room for me! No thanks, guys, but GREATLY appreciated.
I’ll have to come back for the rocking bed (OMFG!)