In San Diego, few family businesses have left as deep an imprint as Lawrance Furniture & Interiors. For nearly nine decades, our family has been dedicated to bringing modern and contemporary design into homes across Southern California. What began as a bold idea in 1937 has grown into San Diego’s oldest furniture store, still family-owned and operated by the fourth generation.
The Beginning: Herman and Sadie Haimsohn
The story starts in 1937, when Herman and Sadie Haimsohn opened the doors to what was then called San Diego Modern Furniture Company. At a time when “modern” was still a daring concept in design, Herman and Sadie believed San Diego deserved something different—furniture that was sleek, functional, and forward-thinking. Their small showroom introduced locals to pieces unlike anything else available at the time, laying the foundation for a lasting legacy.
At that time, the word “Modern” was used less to describe a design style and more to signal that a business was current and progressive in its operations—much like the name “Modern Dry Cleaners.” Nevertheless, the store would soon come to define modern design in the region.
Ed Haimsohn: A Pioneer in Modern Furniture
Their son, Ed Haimsohn, grew up in the business and became the driving force behind its growth. By the 1950s, Ed was shaping the store into a hub for true modern design in Southern California. He built close relationships with legendary designers and manufacturers such as Vladimir Kagan, Paul McCobb, Milo Baughman, Adrian Pearsall, and brands including Thayer Coggin, Planner Group, Craft Furniture, and Dillingham—bringing their work to San Diego long before contemporary furniture was widely embraced.
Ed was more than a retailer; he was a pioneer. In 1971, he led Lawrance to become one of the first furniture stores in the country to fully computerize its operations. In 1981, under the guidance of Ed’s son, the company changed its name to Lawrance Contemporary Home Furnishings, reflecting research that showed consumers related more strongly to the term “contemporary” and preferred businesses with a personal, family name. That same year, the company opened its second location in Encinitas and introduced a new state-of-the-art computer system, along with energy-efficient motion-detection lighting—another industry first.
Ed also played a key role in shaping the furniture industry nationally. He served on the boards of both the National Home Furnishings Association and the Western Home Furnishings Association. Along with Howard, he co-founded the Contemporary Design Group in the early 1980s, a national network that continues to connect modern furniture retailers today.
So influential was Ed’s impact that the Contemporary Design Group later named its annual design excellence honor the Edward Haimsohn Award, known throughout the industry simply as “The Eddie.”
The Next Chapter: Howard Haimsohn
In 1976, Ed’s son Howard joined the family business, ushering in the third generation. With Howard’s arrival, Lawrance entered a new era of expansion and recognition. During the 1980s, the company became widely known as Lawrance Contemporary Home Furnishings, a name synonymous with modern design in San Diego.
Howard carried forward his father’s innovative spirit, expanding showrooms, embracing new technology, and broadening the store’s curated collections. In 1989, Ed promoted Howard to President of Lawrance. Howard’s influence extended far beyond the business itself—he became a national leader in the industry, eventually serving as President of the National Home Furnishings Association and earning widespread respect as a mentor and innovator.
His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the City of Hope’s International Home Furnishings Industry Lifetime Achievement Award and, in 2023, the prestigious HFA Trailblazer Award, celebrating his decades of leadership, innovation, and service.
The Fourth Generation: Continuing the Legacy
The story continues with the fourth generation. In 2016, Howard’s son Joel Haimsohn joined the business, followed a few years later by his sister, Bethany. With their involvement, Lawrance remains a truly family-run company, with each generation contributing its own vision and expertise.
In 2024, the company embraced its next evolution, rebranding as Lawrance Furniture & Interiors. The new name reflects the breadth of what the company offers today—not just furniture, but a full range of interior design solutions designed to create beautiful, modern, and livable spaces.
A Story Still Being Written
From Herman and Sadie’s first showroom in 1937, to Ed’s pioneering innovations, to Howard’s national leadership, and now to Joel and Bethany’s fresh perspective, Lawrance Furniture & Interiors has always been about more than furniture. It is about family, community, and a passion for design that transcends generations.
Today, Lawrance remains San Diego’s oldest furniture store, still owned and operated by the same family that opened its doors nearly ninety years ago. And the story continues—one home, one family, and one generation at a time.
