Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Opens First Williams-Sonoma Home Store

Furniture World Magazine

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will open its first Williams-Sonoma Home(TM) store on September 30, 2005 on Beverly Boulevard in West Hollywood. Williams-Sonoma Home, initially introduced via catalog last fall, is the first brand in the Williams-Sonoma(R) family to focus exclusively on the premium level of home furnishings. "Williams-Sonoma Home, like the namesake brand, has a California heritage at its core," said Howard Lester, chairman, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. "We think residents of the Los Angeles area will appreciate the sophisticated design and attainable luxury that we offer. We are fortunate to have found a home for our first store in the heart of the city's design district." The Williams-Sonoma Home collection features exceptional quality inspired by European designs with a California style. The result is an accessible elegance that is not traditionally found outside of a designer's studio in the home-furnishings market. The new store, like the catalog, will sell beautifully crafted custom-upholstered furniture in an expanded selection of 111 fabrics available on a choice of 28 frames. There will also be a broader selection of merchandise than what is currently offered in the catalog, including more handcrafted wood furniture, lighting, tableware, imported bedding and decorative accessories. "The Williams-Sonoma Home store brings the catalog to life and allows us to further showcase the designs and expand our merchandise selection," said Dave DeMattei, president of emerging brands for Williams-Sonoma, Inc. "With the store, we also can service customers in a way they have come to expect from a premium brand like Williams-Sonoma Home," DeMattei added. By owning the process from design to delivery, Williams-Sonoma Home aims to define a standard level of service that consumers of fine custom furnishings have not consistently enjoyed, at a price level that is attainable to a broad group of consumers. For example, customers can look forward to their custom upholstery purchase to arrive in 45 days from time of order. The store also features a design-consultation space for customers to meet with complimentary Williams-Sonoma Home design consultants, peruse fabrics or simply enjoy a cappuccino while they shop. Howard Backen, an architect renowned for his luxurious residential designs in California's Napa Valley, designed the Williams-Sonoma Home store. The 18,500 square foot space is the epitome of an aspirational residence with handcrafted finishes, delicate detailing and intimate spaces. The Parisian-inspired, retractable, sage awnings; the lustrous, imported fumed-wood flooring; and the artisanal finish on the exterior brick create a comfortable backdrop for the merchandise that is reminiscent of a country estate or charming boutique hotel. The Williams-Sonoma Home store at 8772 Beverly Boulevard will be open Monday through Saturday, 10:00am-7:00pm and Sunday 11:00am-6:00pm. About Williams-Sonoma Williams-Sonoma Home is a brand owned by Williams-Sonoma, Inc., a nationwide specialty retailer of high quality products for the home. These products, representing seven distinct merchandise strategies -- Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, Hold Everything, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home -- are marketed through 559 stores, eight mail order catalogs and six e-commerce websites.