
April 4, 2022
A New Home Store in Brooklyn Celebrates both Memphis and Minimalism


The main motivation for Wells to open a home store was to create a place to promote the ceramic work from BKLYN CLAY where both the founder and Mannino take pottery classes. While the opportunity to open up shop next door on the ground floor of a brand new building was an unmissable chance, the challenge was to add character to the bare-bones space. “As a designer, I want constraints so I can get the best out of limitations,” Mannino says. The unit’s original plain white ceiling was an eyesore for the designer’s bold vision, and the budget would not allow for a lower sheetrock solution. The designer decided to paint the whole ceiling and the tubes in a blue that is a few shades darker than the shelves.
Mannino’s goal is to craft a revolutionized understanding of retail experience post-pandemic. As online retail skyrockets, the role of crafting a nuanced experience in-person is becoming more important. “A store cannot only be selling goods anymore, but must be a place where the customer connects with the brand through a built experience,” he says.
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