743 Abruzzo

Hello all. Brand new to this and looking for any expertise in things Abruzzo.
We are in the process of buying an old village house ( in pretty good nick ) in Serramonacesca which is about 25 mins inland from Pescara. Just needs a bit of internal modernising etc. I could do with some suggestions as to good DIY stores in the area. Anyone know of any and do they do flat packed kitchens as in the uk. Also any suggestions as to where to go for furniture etc.
Basically anything that someone buying a tired empty house might find useful.
Here's hoping.

SteveT

Category
Introduce Yourself - Piacere Conoscerti

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/06/2005 - 04:00

Part answer to your question, there are 2 Castorama DIY stores near Pescara.
Go to their website [url]www.castorama.it[/url] click on the Abruzzo area on their map, it will enlarge, click again on abruzzo it will show 2 areas Teramo & Pescara, select Pescara it will show 2 stores, Citta sant'Angelo & Sambuceto (near airport).
I guess there are plenty more, I will watch this space with interest as I will be going down the same route.
Good hunting

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/06/2005 - 05:45

Stribs,

Thanks for the link. I am over there briefly on 13th and 14th July to hopefully complete. This will give me only a day to explore local outlets so any shortcuts such as this are welcome. I will let you know how I get on.

Steve :)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/06/2005 - 12:00

Just done a bit more research.
Try [url]www.mercatoneuno.com[/url]
Select 'mobili' on the left of their options then 'cucine' then 'compete' this will show a small range of fairly cheap kitchens.
Maybe useful to you

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/09/2005 - 07:01

Thanks. Give this one a go as well. Just been reading the chat about Ryanair. Pretty frightening as I'm signing on Wednesday. Sorry if it takes a day or so to reply. I need to buy a new crowbar to get my son off this computer as the old one is about worn out. :)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/23/2005 - 10:17

[QUOTE=Stribs]Part answer to your question, there are 2 Castorama DIY stores near Pescara.
Go to their website [url]www.castorama.it[/url] click on the Abruzzo area on their map, it will enlarge, click again on abruzzo it will show 2 areas Teramo & Pescara, select Pescara it will show 2 stores, Citta sant'Angelo & Sambuceto (near airport).
I guess there are plenty more, I will watch this space with interest as I will be going down the same route.
Good hunting[/QUOTE]
Visited the Castorama and Mercatone Uno at Sambuceto. Both are decent stores and will provide ( me anyway ) with everything I need to get going. Castorama is just like an English B+Q, slightly different products but pretty much the same. Mercatone Uno is a bit like MFI with a reasonable choice of electricals, beds and furniture from cheap and nasty to not bad. Both deliver.
Mercatone Uno will deliver next day if the item is in stock.
There are also several other warehouse type stores which I didn't have time to visit but included ceramic products. Nice thing is that all of these places are within sight of each other with loads of parking and are signposted ( The black and yellow advertising ones) from right outside Pescara airport. I am now the newest and most nervous member of the village of Serramonacesca. :p

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/23/2005 - 11:42

[QUOTE=SteveT]Castorama is just like an English B+Q, slightly different products but pretty much the same.[/QUOTE]

Castorama is B&Q, it's owned by the Kingfisher Group (same company that own B&Q). If you wander just a tad frther down the road there is Obi, which is a German owned DIY store. Slightly different range to Castorama. Other side of the road is Globo which is a good place for ceramic tiles, and at the Sambuceto exit from the autostrada is the IperCoop which on balance I prefer to Auchan.

I guess you probably spotted all of these.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/24/2005 - 06:13

Just got back from Italy, didn't have time to visit the stores myself, we were staying near Naples with my partners family.
I did look at some small 'Ferramenta' (Ironmongers) in the village where we were staying, some hold quite a large stock, prices not too bad. I think it would pay to use this type of shop for some items to keep in with the local community.
ps. the drive from Naples to Pescara has some stunning scenery once you get into Molise & southern Abruzzo

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/24/2005 - 08:07

Out local ferramenta is cheaper than B&Castorama, particularly for things like the essential decespugliatore which was EUR 140 at the Ferramenta, same model over EUR 250 at CastoramaQ. You're right you really shoudl make the maximum use of local shops, if you don't local people will start to consider you as some sort of "blow in" and you'll lose a lot of good will.

Our neighbours look after us well, and in return we turn to their businesses first for everything we need.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/25/2005 - 08:16

[QUOTE=Stribs]Just got back from Italy, didn't have time to visit the stores myself, we were staying near Naples with my partners family.
I did look at some small 'Ferramenta' (Ironmongers) in the village where we were staying, some hold quite a large stock, prices not too bad. I think it would pay to use this type of shop for some items to keep in with the local community.
ps. the drive from Naples to Pescara has some stunning scenery once you get into Molise & southern Abruzzo[/QUOTE]
whilst it seems everyone is looking to replicate what you get in the uk i mean these big stores etc.personally i find them mostly rather trashy and not such good value for money.we have bought most things from specialist local stores like beds,matterasses(excellent quality price and comfort) they brought them ,mounted them (at no extra cost) and we were allowed to pay them over 1 year (no signatures,contracts,rates or interest) so quite honestly your best bet would be find these places (nearer to your house)and as others have said it sets you in great stead with local people..and you may need them again for something else.(they also know what they are selling unlike assistants in those big stores who know next to nothing)