Earlier today, I had the good fortune to peruse some of the CB2 items that will be available at San Francisco's new CB2 store, which is opening in Union Square on July 31. San Francisco will be the fourth US city to host a CB2 store, and the first west of Chicago. The new store will feature all of the great furniture and home accessories you find in CB2's catalog in an easily navigable, relaxed 8,000-square-foot retail space. Also tempting is that many of the new store's furniture items are scaled down to work in small urban apartment spaces (perfect for SF studio dwellers).

To find out more about the new store, and to see images from the preview, read more.

I had the chance to chat with the delightful Marta Calle, product director for CB2, who clued me in on the thinking behind CB2's design ideas. She explained that CB2's design philosophy involved creating a modern, simple, and relaxing interior that would inspire people to feel comfortable in their homes. The limited color palette, clean lines, and use of natural materials (as well as the darn reasonable prices), all contribute to this goal. Of course, given my eco bent, it's no surprise that my eyes were immediately drawn to the Lanai Dining Table ($599), which I've seen online, but is so much more impressive in person. The table is solid shesham wood, which is also known as Indian rosewood and has beautiful color variation, which is only enhanced by the water-based, natural linseed oil finish. The table, as Marta explained was, in the good, better, best hierarchy, definitely "a best product."

After perusing the preview of the store, I'm even more excited to check out the new San Francisco CB2 in person at the end of the month. While I love shopping online, I'm also a fairly tactile-oriented person, and it's darn fun to check out an Industrial Pendant Lamp or Walnut Magazine Holder with my own two hands.