West Elm to open first location in Washington state

Home Accents Today Staff -- Home Accents Today, 9/29/2011 10:12:39 AM

West Elm is opening a new retail store at 2201 Westlake Ave. in Seattle on Oct. 6, 2011. The 15,000-sq.-ft. store is the brand's first in Washington and features a number of unique design details including a living wall and an art installation designed specifically for the location by Seattle-based artist Justin R. Lytle.

"We are big fans of the distinctive art and design scene in Seattle," said Jim Brett, president of West Elm. "We've been waiting for the perfect location for our first store in the city. The growing South Lake Union neighborhood is the ideal spot."

The Seattle store will open with the brand's fall and winter assortment, which is grounded in an autumnal color palate and incorporates a mix of natural materials. The collection features entertaining and furniture collaborations with designers Mary Matson and Paul Loebach.

West Elm worked closely with interiors and home furnishings designer Thomas O'Brien of Aero Studios to create an open, inviting and entertaining shopping experience at the Seattle store. The store's associates are trained to help customers realize and create their personal style at home, and the store includes an updated Design Lab, where customers and associates can collaborate on space planning and decorating projects.

Like other West Elm stores, the Seattle location is designed using green materials and includes low-energy lighting, low-VOC paints and reclaimed hardwood floors. The store will house or have access to the brand's complete assortment, making it possible for shoppers to bring home new looks immediately or arrange for quick-turnaround delivery.

To celebrate the store opening, West Elm will host a benefit on the night before the public opening to honor the nearby Cornish College of the Arts. The event will mark the official unveiling of the art installation created for the store by Lytle, who is a Cornish alumnus.

The store is West Elm's 36th retail location.