Ever since my days as a wee little industrial design student, I have had a mild obsession with Blu Dot. The modern furniture and home decor brand is only 20 years old, but I’m sure you’ve seen their pieces in countless spaces… especially mine (here, here, and here). Not only is the aesthetic of everything they do so spot on, but it also works so well with different vibes! I’ve seen the same Blu Dot piece in a modern, minimalist space work well in a maximalist, bohemian home… it’s really quite incredible. So imagine my excitement when I discovered that the Minneapolis-based brand was opening a store in Seattle. The 5,800-square-foot store opens next week, but here’s a sneak peek of just how incredible it’s going to be:
The store itself is noteworthy for many reasons:
the architects and designers of the space, Standard Architects, embraced the warmth of the timber-framed Colman Automotive Building and juxtaposed it nicely with the clean lines of the collections. And there’s 60 foot collage! The mural was designed by the Blu Dot visual and graphic design team, with a mission to connect visitors to the design process that drives Blu Dot’s Minneapolis studio. They wanted to communicate strongly what sets Blu Dot apart, the fact that everything they produce is designed by their team (a rarity in the home decor world). The collage includes early sketches of products, images of prototypes, as well as images that inspire them and drive the design culture — music, architecture, art, everyday objects, travel and more.
The store officially opens on July 19th with store hours from Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Whether you’re tackling a new design project or just gathering inspiration (and a wishlist), I highly recommend you stop by!
If you’re in Seattle, I urge you to check out the new Blu Dot store: 401 E. Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98122.
