Sorry if you’ve already read this as I posted originally under the ‘Habitation Licence’ thread, but then realized that perhaps not many people would look there for furniture advice. I haven't posted for a long time on this site and have in fact been lax in checking what is happening with Duquesa. We have also purchased an apartment at Casares Du Sol just up the road and completed in October. I have to say that the finish and quality of the Casares apartment is no where near as good as that I saw in the Duquesa apartments when I last visited (Oct). Both these apartments are for investment purposes and will be let out as I live in the Costa Blanca.
Like most of you I did a lot of research on the internet re furniture packages before we completed and had appointments to visit quite a few of the suppliers. For example we looked at (to name a few!) 'Mad about Furniture', 'Interior Sun Furniture Packages' and 'Furniture Express'. All supply different price ranges and good quality pieces. I believe that Eye on Spain have negotiated a discount with Villapac who have shops in the UK so that you can see and order the furniture there before you come over. See the Eye on Spain link to them. The bonus with these is that they do it all, hang the pictures, put up the curtain rails and lights, even make the bed!. However, we motored down and my husband had thrown in a few tools into the car (luckily as we ended up doing it ourselves).
If you need lights/blinds/curtain poles/hardware, DIY etc (at a reasonable cost) then LEYROY MERLIN and CARREFOUR are v good. There is a small CARREFOUR in ESTEPONA - go on the beach road on the other side of the town and you will see it. There is a Leyroy Merlin in MARBELLA , but takes ages (over a hour) to get there.
Best tip: there is a massive retail park in ALGECIRAS .
Head to DUQUESA, take the MANILVA road, right turn 800m before the PUERTO – it’s a turn right at the end of the ARENAL DUQUESA development (it looks like a building site entrance!!) that road takes you right up to MANILVA.
Turn left before the town and this will take you right onto the E15 autopista. Head to ALGECIRAS you can be there in 15 to 20 mins.
Taking this route you can get to San Roque, Valadarama, SOTOGRANDE Golf in about 15mins You'll go thro LA LINEA and the see the signs the retail park. They have a massive Leyroy Merlin, Carrefour, DECATHLON and other furniture shops. Locals say prices are cheaper here than MARBELLA !! We purchased a lot of our electrical goods in the Carrefour including TVs, DVD players and all the kitchen equipment and china/cutlery. Obviously there are more expensive specialised lighting shops if you are intending to keep your apartment for your own use and wish to decorate it specifically to your taste.
If you want bedding/curtains. Then there is a shop very close in Duquesa itself - 'The English Bedlinen Company – large stocks, good prices, nice people. Obvious bonus is that the Duvet/pillowcases all fit English size pillow and duvets. They also hold a good stock of lightweight English quilts and pillows. Head to Puerto Duquesa, N340, don’t go into the underpass. Take the up ramp, past the MERCADONA, turn right before down ramp back on to the bypass, and it’s on the left. If you go past it, they have a big sign on the back of the shop.
Furniture. There is a great shop on the N340 in Estepona called GALLERIA. Serge has great prices, he will negotiate, and good stocks. His chaps turn up bang on time, speak French, Spanish and Arabic - and some English! He can also arrange for your lights to be put up for a small cost if you need it (approx 12 euros per fitting if memory serves me well). Much of his stuff is made for him in Jakarta , so if you like Balinese style teak etc I’d recommend it. He’s nice man and easy to do business with. Also. his convertible corner sofas are the best I’ve seen and make the most of the lounge space. His accessory prices for lamps; vases, sculpture etc are also really good. We picked up two large vases for 30 euros. Good size hardwood patio set with 4 chairs and cushions for 200 euros!! You’ll find him on the 340 going back to ESTEPONA on the LH side before the roundabout that has the ESTEPONA sign on it, look for the brown sign GALLERIA.
I found that I spent about the same amount as I had intended with the furniture package prices but have much better quality furniture – I do think you can do it cheaper than the Package Specialist but it does mean traveling around to a few different shops rather than a visit to just one. It depends on how much time you have.
Also with my Casares apartment, my solicitor said allow approx 2 weeks to get the water and electricity on (it was 10 days), so don't expect to move into the apartment as soon as you've got the keys unless you buy a torch and shower by the pool! Our experience (last October) was that even if you asked or planned to get these utilities connected they won't entertain you; you have to have completed and then they put you on the list. It is Spain after all!
Hope that helps.
Regards