When I was a teenager, all I wanted to do was move to a big city like Chicago or New York. I dreamed of becoming a famous fashion designer and thought Kansas City was way too boring for what I had planned. I’m 34 now, and while I still harbor a nagging desire to be a fashion designer, I have accepted the reality that I will only ever design for myself. I’m ok with that. I now channel my creative energy to my grown up dream Square One Interiors and helping local artists achieve their dreams.
Something I’ve learned since I was a bored bratty teenager is what an amazing city we live in. Not only do we have great jazz, barbeque, a hoppin’ new entertainment district and a world-renowned performing arts center rising out of the ground, but Kansas City is nationally ranked as one of the top cities for artists!
Nestled right in the middle of the Crossroads Art District is a new organization I am excited to be a founding member of. Hello Art was created and sponsored by the Arts Incubator as a way to enhance and expand the Kansas City Arts scene. (That’s right, we have an art scene.)
Hello Art provides a connection network for artists, galleries, collectors and even the curious beginner enthusiast (me). Through year-round local events such as First Friday’s, Hello Exhibitions and special viewings, Hello Art introduces new and experienced art collectors and emerging and established artists to one another. It’s my goal to help promote as many new artists as I can so don’t be surprised to see featured work in this blog and art on display in our future showroom.
Learn more about Hello Art at www.helloart.org and while your there become a member supporting the creative side of our great city and be part of building Kansas City as a world-class arts center!
Peace + Love + Furniture
Courtnay
Whoa. It’s one thing to read about excess furniture – but to see old task chairs being rolled down an alley and tossed into a dumpster to make way for new ones was a little mind blowing! No kidding, here in our fine city (9th & Walnut) I stumbled across this mass grave of office chairs.
I know old office furniture is not sexy and can sometimes be a major hassle to manage – especially when companies are in a position of upgrading, but a dumpster? Really? At first I wondered if the previous owners were going out of business, not an off the wall idea in this economy. Nope, they were getting new chairs and these old ones were taking up space! Ahh!
With minimal planning, these chairs could have been diverted to non-profit organizations, schools, churches, start-up businesses etc. There are tons of free resources to post excess furniture on:
NonProfit Connect (formerly the Council on Philanthropy) is an organization specifically designed to connect, support and offer resources to non-profits and volunteers. They have a fantastic classifieds section to advertise for free.
Idle Asset is an online facility warehouse that has pre-owned furniture for sale or a free section for non-profits and schools. Working through office furniture dealers, Idle Asset has a national audience and is best utilized when you have large quantities and a little time to move the furniture.
Craigslist can even be a great tool. Advertise free furniture and you are sure to have some takers!
Want some more ideas?? Email us for a list of resources and creative ways to keep furniture out of the landfill. So please, the next time your company is stuck with furniture you don’t need, just say NO to trashing it. Give it a fabulous new home. Need help? Call us, we love to rescue!
Peace + Love + Furniture
Courtnay
I have been fretting for WEEKS (really months but that sounds really long) over how to get this blog started. I am a people person, not really the shy type, but it’s still a little intimidating to cast myself out there into the great abyss of cyberspace. I don’t want to bore anyone to tears, and seriously, what am I going to write about every week that will be of value to anyone but me????? I finally decided to get over myself and just get to writing! If anything this will be a journal (therapy) documenting the evolution of Square One Interiors!
I am using this first post to set the tone and perhaps lower expectations for future blogging. I plan on keeping things very laid back, if only to keep my stress levels manageable! The goal is to offer this blog as a tool for clients, prospective clients, friends, business partners, and anyone else interested, to learn more about who we are, how we operate, and what we do. There won’t be any fancy writing. I will try to throw some witty prose in when I can, but make no promises! This is simply me sharing our experiences and perspective on office environments, business ownership, furniture trends, client projects, issues companies are facing and our thoughts on solutions! Hopefully you will find a valuable nugget somewhere in the mix!
Check back often – new posts will appear on Monday’s (uh oh, now I have gone and committed myself), but in the meantime friend: Facebook, connect: LinkedIn and follow us: Twitter! We love social media!
Peace + Love + Furniture
Courtnay
