LIMN began in 1981 in San Francisco as a source for architectural supplies but soon expanded to sell furniture, lighting, and accessories from European designers. In 1991, LIMN moved to a larger former food processing plant to accommodate its growing inventory. In 2006, LIMN opened a showroom in Seattle, designing it to feel like customers' dream homes through curated vignettes of postmodern European pieces. The showroom uses dividers and curtains to flexibly arrange displays while controlling natural light and maintaining aesthetic cohesion. LIMN breaks from tradition by mixing vendors to tell a clear design story rather than dedicating space to each brand.

1. PORTFOLIO Creative works by: Eric P. Fassett

2. Retail Planning

3. “where art and design meet” CompanyProfile Opened in 1981, LIMN was initially a source of drafting and studio furniture for architects and artists in the San Francisco Bay Area. From its inception, the architect- founder Dan Friedlander incorporated fine art into LIMN's culture. Exhibiting the varied work of regional artists, LIMN because known as an adventurous and open-minded venue for art. LIMN quickly expanded its product offerings to include well-designed contemporary furniture, lighting, and accessories. These products, primarily of European origin, became LIMN's trademark. Most of these products were previously unavailable to retail purchasers in the United States and many were being sold for the first time outside of Europe. In need of much more space, LIMN began a staged move from its original facility in 1991. Over the next 10 years, LIMN took possession of a former food processing plant at 290 Townsend St. The building dates from the late 1940's and retains much of its industrial heritage. The 40,000 sq. foot (3,600 sq. meter) space would make LIMN the largest showroom of its kind in North America.

4. Seattle Showroom Est. November 2006 “Best Interior Design San Francisco–based Limn has designed its spacious showroom to feel like your dream home—although many of the European, postmodern pieces feel like they belong in your wildest dream home. Art certainly meets design when a snowball-like light pendant dangles over a walnut dinner table, which in turn rests on a psychedelic—print rug.” Seattle Met Magazine, Best of 2008 Issue

5. Just a peak from the street….. In order to create some atmosphere inside a14,000 sq ft showroom that was glass on three of its four sides we decided to do something unheard of in retail, black them out. This was a bold statement to make on the street but gave instant mystery to what may be inside. The result inside was one of a completely controlled environment where natural light and the beat of the city just outside wouldn’t play a factor in the experience had by the customer.

6. Re-thinking space to meet changing demands a suspended series of tracks was used to divide up the two main display spaces using sheer curtains to create a true senses of space for each vignette. This system provided the maximum flexibility required to maintain aesthetic and logistical demands of a ever changing environment.

7. Creating identity within…….

8. Mixed for how we live…… Breaking from the traditional showroom format of dedicated space for each manufacture we took a more real world approach by mixing vendors and focusing on the design story LIMN had to tell giving the whole showroom a clear and cohesive lifestyle message.