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A Visit to Object

For our second installment of Design Store(y), we travel to the opposite coast, to the beautifully spare and pure white shop, Object, in Seattle. Owned and curated by local photographer Charlie Schuck, Object was born out of his love and admiration for design, composition, and the Northwest.

Object carries a blend of smaller design items that are both beautiful and functional — bags, book, bottle openers, cups, trays — mixed with some larger furniture and lighting. Some of the designers are new, some already operate on an international level. Most of the items are from Northwest designers, artists, and architects, though the shop also carries items from places that have traditionally had a large influence on Seattle, such as Japan, East Asia, and Scandinavia. In general, you’ll find a lot of wood, brass, neutral colors, and clean lines.

Schuck tells Design Milk: “I work and make my living as a photographer, so I am prone to endless arranging and rearranging of things. It’s not a traditional retail layout. I view the layout of the store as more of a photo set.”

Schuck is currently working on opening another room upstairs that will focus on found objects and curiosities within an Edwardian/Victorian type setting, which we imagine will have quite a different aesthetic. He says, “I have a love for antique prints, flea markets, estate sales, and history in general. The upstairs will house this interest, along with contemporary design items that fall in a more classical vein.”

Why did you pick this neighborhood and storefront?

It was a good deal. I don’t have an inheritance, trust fund, or investment money, so it’s kind of a seat of the pants type of operation.

Where did you get the name for the store?

Object is both a noun and verb. That is what I like about it.

Do you have a theme or story this season?

Object does not follow any traditional schedule. Every now and then we change it up a bit.


America Mirror by Object

What’s your favorite item in the store right now?

America Mirror

What’s been a consistent best seller?

Porcelain fortune cookies by Aleksandra Pollner.

What’s the last thing you sold?

America Mirror

Does the store have its own line?

Yes, we created the America Mirror and collaborated with Aleksandra Pollner on the fortune cookies.


Porcelain Fortune Cookies by Aleksandra Pollner & OBJECT

Do you have any new projects or collaborations in the works?

Object is publishing a Northwest new media/photography publication coming out in April. We’re also creating a curated city guide.

Do you hold special exhibitions?

Absolutely. At the end of March the space is being cleared out for a three-day show called Strange Couplings, in which UW art students pair with established artists to create work together.

How about pop-ups?

Yes! In April, the furniture collective Brackish will be doing a one-week pop-up shop and artist/stylist Ashley Helvey will be doing one with us in May.

Do you have anything from the store in your own home?

My home is in the back of the store so yes, I have a ton of things from the store in my space. =)


Golden Hand (found object)


Iacoli & McAllister Spica Light


Tamara Codor Floating Drawer Side Table


Homestead Candlesticks by Ladies & Gentleman Studio


Pendant by Justine Ashbee and  Iacoli & McAllistor


ChadHaus loft bed

Visit Object at 2316 2nd Ave., Seattle, WA 98122.

Photos by Charlie Schuck.

Marni Elyse Katz is a Contributing Editor at Design Milk. She lives in Boston where she contributes regularly to local publications and writes her own interior design blog, StyleCarrot.