Left to right, designers Kim Mohr and Erin Olexia.
After years in an office suite, principals Erin Olexia and Kim Mohr of Dream House Studios were ready to move to a larger, more visible space. They were thrilled to find what they were looking for in Annapolis’s Design District: a 4,200-square-foot warehouse that would accommodate a retail showroom, an interior design studio and a design trade library.
“We want to be a resource for designers, to create a mini design center for local people,” explains Mohr. Some 2,500 square feet of the space is fitted out for consumers and houses the retail storefront and design studio as well as the library, which represents about 50 different vendors of furniture, fabrics, wallpaper, accessories and more. The rest of the facility is a warehouse with its own loading dock.
“The space combines a residential and industrial feel,” says Olexia. “We wanted a casual environment. It’s important to us that designers like coming here and feel comfortable bringing their clients.”
Industrial lighting and painted concrete floors throughout create a neutral backdrop that enables Olexia and Mohr to change the look seasonally with ease. Tall tables invite designers and clients to spread out and stay a while. Special pricing is available to the trade and Dream House Studios puts together monthly industry events.
“It can be an all-day trip to get to DC,” Olexia observes. “We want to ensure that local designers have another option. We’re excited to help bring people to the Design District in Annapolis.” 1811 McGuckian Street; 410-224-7588. dreamhousestudios.net