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Announcing Our New Showroom, Studio Como Salt Lake City

Stories

Furniture design is always a celebration of community, and there’s no better time to be reminded of that then on the cusp of opening a showroom. The newest outpost for all things Studio Como can be found on the southern edge of downtown Salt Lake City, where the showroom will be opening its doors to the Utah design community with a reception on September 14, 2023.

The new showroom is managed by design consultant Lauren Ambuhl, who recently arrived in Salt Lake from St. Louis, Missouri, after working for years in architecture, urban planning, and engineering. Full of energy and warmth, Lauren looks forward to welcoming the city into the showroom and growing Studio Como’s preexisting presence in the region directly from the brick-and-mortar space.

At a bit of a remove from downtown’s bustle, the showroom is meant to be a destination. “The location is very intentional,” says Lauren, explaining that “it’s a place that you plan to visit and anticipate arriving at.” The 2,460-square-foot space is easy to access from anywhere in the grid-planned city, adjacent to several thriving residential neighborhoods and central to scores of architecture and design firms.

With large storefront windows and skylights that provide an abundance of natural light, and exposed ceiling beams and industrial elements that telegraph the vibe of the Denver flagship showroom, the new space houses the best of European furniture design (see the full SLC showroom display list here). Carefully styled vignettes display B&B Italia, Minotti, Cassina, Flexform—to name but a few lines—and are outfitted with sofas, armchairs, tables, rugs, lighting, and accessories.

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“The Minotti display might be my favorite in the space,” says Lauren of a corner anchored by the Horizonte Sofa. “I love the juxtaposition of the heavily textured Alps Rug and the high-gloss Louver Coffee Table. It feels very chic, very ‘70s, very Minotti.” Lauren is also excited to introduce visitors and clients to Flexform’s Groundpiece Sofa and the grass-made Parker Screen that currently serves in both aesthetic and functional capacities, dividing the otherwise open room into discrete spaces. Four artworks by Boulder artist Jamie Kripke are exhibited in the showroom—representing his “Rabbit Hole and “The Divide” series—making every surface of the studio feel considered.

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“Right now, in our earliest stage, the majority of projects for this showroom are coming from Park City or mountain towns just outside it. But we’re starting to pick up some Salt Lake City apartments and primary residences in established urban neighborhoods,” Lauren shares. “I’m excited to see how our commercial market will grow in the next couple of years. Salt Lake City is on a similar trajectory as Denver in terms of recent population growth so we’re seeing new restaurants, shops, and office spaces popping up, as well as new outlooks and approaches when it comes to architecture and design.” 

As for the festivities, the grand opening is open to the public at 5:30 p.m. on September 14 with celebratory drinks, hors d’oeuvres by Maven Oak Creative, and remarks by founder and president Brad Fentress. The full Studio Como design team will be in attendance, promising a convivial community-building event.

Lauren hopes it will be the first of many hosted in partnership with local artists and designers. “We’re looking forward to having people get to know us, the space, and each other,” she says. “Yes, we want to be introduced to the local market, but more importantly we want people to know we’re here as a welcome space where designers and design lovers can come by, ask questions, and spend time.”

Following the September 14 event, the showroom will be open 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday–Friday at 652 S W Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Photography by Rebekah Westover


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