Based in Jackson, Wyoming, Esme encompasses both an interior design studio (Studio Esme) and a high-end retail destination (Galerie Esme). Founder Kimberly Dean approached Larkin Collective to help her workshop the business from the ground up. Through consultation and brainstorming sessions, Larkin Collective helped Kim land on the name, Esme (after her grandmother), and create an umbrella that would house the two branches of the business. These elements were the foundation to everything that would come next.
Kim brings over a decade of interior design industry experience to a dual-concept business that required a design system as nuanced as its offering. Kim sought to express her two-branched business through cohesive branding, thoughtful marketing collateral, and a multi-functional website, built for both portfolio and ecommerce utility.
Brand Identity
Larkin Collective began by developing distinct, yet related branding for the two branches of the business. While unified by a shared color palette, each branch of the business leans into its own tonal emphasis. The Studio is grounded by a deep green hue with brown accents, while the Galerie is associated with a lighter cream shade, more suitable for e-commerce accessibility. This system allowed for clear differentiation without sacrificing cohesion.
The typography selection reflects Kim's design aesthetic, striking the balance between modern and classic. Kim requested an element of script, so Larkin Collective looked through several, until we found one that was fresh, and distilled it down to a gestural ornament, harkening back to the soulful nature of the brand’s narrative.
Print Collateral
Larkin Collective created a suite of custom print collateral to use throughout the brand, such as tags, totes, boxes, business cards, tearsheets, and tissue paper.
Website Design
Through market research and collaboration with Kim, Larkin Collective built the dual-functional Studio/Galerie website. The objective was to develop a website that allowed users to seamlessly transition between viewing Kim’s studio portfolio and shopping for furniture, lighting, and decor online. To achieve this, Larkin Collective leveraged Squarespace to house the Studio, Shopify to house the Galerie, and integrated a custom navigation system and subdomain to unify the experience between the two platforms.
Within the Galerie, we developed a fully bespoke custom order program, empowering customers to tailor furniture selections across materials, finishes, and upholstery, bridging a luxury retail experience with effortless personalization. This level of furniture quality was achieved through partnership with well respected American furniture manufacturers.
The business model of the Galerie presented a unique opportunity: combining antiques, vintage items, drop-shipped pieces, and custom furniture from multiple manufacturers into one comprehensive system. Larkin Collective met with shippers and combed through the logistics to streamline the fulfillment process as much as possible.
Email Marketing Program
Between two accounts, Esme’s social media presence balances portfolio storytelling with product visibility, reinforcing both sides of the brand.
Social Media Marketing
Esme’s comprehensive automated email marketing system supports both retail and design arms of the business, from cart reminders to new arrivals and order updates, as well as interior design trade program and custom order communications.
Larkin Collective achieved a multi-network ecosystem that facilitates custom orders, antiques, dropshipping, a trade program, and an interior design firm to all exist under one roof, without overcomplicating the user interface and experience.
Photography: Todd Williams and Krafty