Slater/Marinoff & Co. was founded in 1978 by two UC Berkeley graduates, Susan Marinoff and Patsy Slater. When Susan got married, she found that there simply wasn't any well-designed and reasonably priced contemporary furniture in the East Bay. She contacted her friend Patsy Slater, who had been running businesses in Berkeley for several years - and who had a design degree to boot. Together, they embarked on a quest to provide the Bay Area with what they wanted for their own homes: great contemporary furniture that was accessible and affordable. And they were determined to create a business that was "user friendly" and personal, where everyone who walked through the door was given the opportunity to ask questions and receive honest, informed answers.

Today, Slater/Marinoff is run by Patsy Slater (Susan Marinoff left the business in 1998 to pursue other interests). Patsy's passion for design has only grown stronger over the years; she still personally chooses each and every item you see in Slater/Marinoff. There is no "design by committee" at Slater/Marinoff; the stores are clearly one person's vision. But there is a loyal and dedicated family of associates, and many loyal and devoted customers as well, who have become - and remain - part of the Slater/Marinoff family.