Well, officially, we are now out of our space on 12th! We'll miss all our neighbors, but hope that everyone will come visit!
Looking at the sea of boxes, paint, tiles, pallets, books etc. I am a little hesitant to say, "come on over!" Soooo.... give us a few days at least before you stop by expecting to see anything but a bunch of stuff on the floor. Don't worry - there is a party in the works to break-in the new space.
We're meeting so many great people and look forward to sharing them with you when you visit.
Here's a sneak peek...
Next door to us is David - he's a bookseller. You can always find a table of free books outside his door.
On the other side is Shelly - he's an architect and has a new baby.
Brother, Dane Carder, is across the hall - Owner of threesquared gallery
Next to him - Seed Space - an art lab by director, Adrienne Outlaw
Downstairs next to the loading dock, we met Mark at Kunkel & Son - they do beautiful architectural woodworking
Also downstairs, we met Earl. I don't actually know what Earl does yet, but he was kind enough to let us borrow his pallet jack all weekend after only knowing us for 3 seconds. I baked him some cookies.
Cheers for now!
7.19.2011
6.20.2011
Moving Day!
We are getting very excited (and anxious!) about moving. In an effort to make the transition as easy as possible, here is the plan...
We will -
officially "close" on July 4th
then build-out the new space and move the entire store...
and re-open on July 18th at the new location
Please remember two things:
1. We will be back and forth a lot in those two weeks, but will not have fallen off the face of the earth. We will still be answering emails and phone messages. If you need something or would like to make an order while we're working on the move just call and leave a message or shoot us an email at either rachel@n-habit.net or edward@n-habit.net
2. It is still only the two of us, so please bear with us as we make the transition.
New Hours
We will be testing out some new store hours after the move. We will have "showroom hours" from 10 - 3 every week day. In an effort to make time for our design clients, we ask that you try and make it over during showroom hours if you'd like to browse around. If you are making a special trip, please call before you come. Although, we will be there the majority of the time (until the wee hours many nights), just remember that we might both be at appointments, so please call before you come or make an appointment if it is before 10 or after 3. Most likely all it will take is a call and we'll make sure to stick around until you get there.
Thank you so much to everyone for all your support. We are confident that the new space will be that much better!
We will -
officially "close" on July 4th
then build-out the new space and move the entire store...
and re-open on July 18th at the new location
Please remember two things:
1. We will be back and forth a lot in those two weeks, but will not have fallen off the face of the earth. We will still be answering emails and phone messages. If you need something or would like to make an order while we're working on the move just call and leave a message or shoot us an email at either rachel@n-habit.net or edward@n-habit.net
2. It is still only the two of us, so please bear with us as we make the transition.
New Hours
We will be testing out some new store hours after the move. We will have "showroom hours" from 10 - 3 every week day. In an effort to make time for our design clients, we ask that you try and make it over during showroom hours if you'd like to browse around. If you are making a special trip, please call before you come. Although, we will be there the majority of the time (until the wee hours many nights), just remember that we might both be at appointments, so please call before you come or make an appointment if it is before 10 or after 3. Most likely all it will take is a call and we'll make sure to stick around until you get there.
Thank you so much to everyone for all your support. We are confident that the new space will be that much better!
5.17.2011
aaaaand we're back!
Hey, everybody! We've been busy! Whew!! BUT, we all know it's better to be busy than slow, right!?!?
We've been busy with so many things and we can't wait to share....
Mostly importantly -- We're Moving!!
* We love our little 12South house and are so grateful for the community that has embraced and promoted us and our idea! We are sad to be leaving our wonderful spot but excited for the next part of the journey. So, starting in July (tentatively) come see us at our new location! 427 Chestnut Street! Suite 226
View Larger Map
Our new space is big, creative and just plain awesome. It is the former home of a hosiery mill, with great big converted warehouse spaces - one of which we will be occupying (stay tuned for photos)
* Be on the lookout for some updates to our website as well. Now that our new location is further off the beaten path, we're going to be adding some functions to our website to accommodate for better online ordering and delivery.
* Another set of things that's been keeping us busy is design work. Now that the store can, in some ways, stand alone, we have started taking on more design projects. Also, stay tuned for more photos and projects!
We are so excited about where (n)habit is going and how things are adapting and just want to thank everyone who supports us. Because, as you know, you vote with your dollar and when you support sustainability in your local economy, you strengthen the economy of your city, your state, and your world!
We've been busy with so many things and we can't wait to share....
Mostly importantly -- We're Moving!!
* We love our little 12South house and are so grateful for the community that has embraced and promoted us and our idea! We are sad to be leaving our wonderful spot but excited for the next part of the journey. So, starting in July (tentatively) come see us at our new location! 427 Chestnut Street! Suite 226
View Larger Map
Our new space is big, creative and just plain awesome. It is the former home of a hosiery mill, with great big converted warehouse spaces - one of which we will be occupying (stay tuned for photos)
* Be on the lookout for some updates to our website as well. Now that our new location is further off the beaten path, we're going to be adding some functions to our website to accommodate for better online ordering and delivery.
* Another set of things that's been keeping us busy is design work. Now that the store can, in some ways, stand alone, we have started taking on more design projects. Also, stay tuned for more photos and projects!
We are so excited about where (n)habit is going and how things are adapting and just want to thank everyone who supports us. Because, as you know, you vote with your dollar and when you support sustainability in your local economy, you strengthen the economy of your city, your state, and your world!
10.12.2010
Help Me Help You: Planning for remodeling success
I talk to customers so often about how they feel they’re moving so slowly on a construction project and then… BAM... it’s time to choose a hundred things at once. People then feel they are settling for something because they feel rushed to make a decision. If you’re in early- to mid-construction and it seems like things are moving like molasses, here are some activities to keep you engaged while also preparing for that rush of decision making.
Order samples early
Most companies will send you samples for free! The ones that don’t, charge very little for them, so there’s no reason not to start exploring your options.
Some people believe that ordering a sample = commitment. I can’t speak for everyone, but if you order a sample from me and you end up not buying the product, it will have zero effect on our friendship or professional relationship. None. And if you wait, you’ll inevitably be staring at a printed image of something and wondering, “That brown looks really similar to the brown in my countertop, but will they actually match? To stay on schedule I have to order today…”
If you order a sample in the beginning and end up not using it, return it to your designer who can either return it to the company for others to use or they can keep it for their own personal materials library.
Be up front about your budget
Wouldn’t we all like to be able to afford exactly what we wanted! There’s nothing worse than falling completely in love with something and then finding out you can’t afford it. Once that happens you’re not happy with anything else after it. This is, many times, how projects run over budget. Talk to your designer or contractor about what your budget is, and they can help you from the start.
If everyone went to the tile store knowing how much they could spend, and then approached the sales person with that number, they could show you right away what your options are. If it turns out you don’t see anything you like in your price range, at least you feel like you have a reason for seeking an increase on that particular budget item.
In addition, you don’t run the risk of “inching” your way over budget. It may not seem like a big deal if you go over just a little bit (even dollars) but with the sheer quantity of products that go into any construction project, it adds up quickly.
Be up front about time
The idea of time in a construction project is very complex. There is a great deal of coordination going on – between various trades and materials. This is the biggest reason to hire a contractor – coordinating trades is a big job, and experience is helpful.
If you take a kitchen remodel, for example, many people don’t really know what goes in first - the cabinets or the flooring. Ask you contractor or your designer (or both!). That way you know which to be worrying about time-wise, and you won’t be spending time scouring the architectural salvage place for cool artwork when (unbeknownst to you), you need to be thinking about cabinetry finishes.
No one wants their project to run over budget or schedule. Most of the time, they do anyway, especially if weather is a factor in your remodel. But if you’ll follow the main three pieces of advice above, your project will stand a much better chance of coming in on time and on budget. Above all, ask questions. Lots of questions!
Order samples early
Most companies will send you samples for free! The ones that don’t, charge very little for them, so there’s no reason not to start exploring your options.
Some people believe that ordering a sample = commitment. I can’t speak for everyone, but if you order a sample from me and you end up not buying the product, it will have zero effect on our friendship or professional relationship. None. And if you wait, you’ll inevitably be staring at a printed image of something and wondering, “That brown looks really similar to the brown in my countertop, but will they actually match? To stay on schedule I have to order today…”
If you order a sample in the beginning and end up not using it, return it to your designer who can either return it to the company for others to use or they can keep it for their own personal materials library.
Be up front about your budget
Wouldn’t we all like to be able to afford exactly what we wanted! There’s nothing worse than falling completely in love with something and then finding out you can’t afford it. Once that happens you’re not happy with anything else after it. This is, many times, how projects run over budget. Talk to your designer or contractor about what your budget is, and they can help you from the start.
If everyone went to the tile store knowing how much they could spend, and then approached the sales person with that number, they could show you right away what your options are. If it turns out you don’t see anything you like in your price range, at least you feel like you have a reason for seeking an increase on that particular budget item.
In addition, you don’t run the risk of “inching” your way over budget. It may not seem like a big deal if you go over just a little bit (even dollars) but with the sheer quantity of products that go into any construction project, it adds up quickly.
Be up front about time
The idea of time in a construction project is very complex. There is a great deal of coordination going on – between various trades and materials. This is the biggest reason to hire a contractor – coordinating trades is a big job, and experience is helpful.
If you take a kitchen remodel, for example, many people don’t really know what goes in first - the cabinets or the flooring. Ask you contractor or your designer (or both!). That way you know which to be worrying about time-wise, and you won’t be spending time scouring the architectural salvage place for cool artwork when (unbeknownst to you), you need to be thinking about cabinetry finishes.
No one wants their project to run over budget or schedule. Most of the time, they do anyway, especially if weather is a factor in your remodel. But if you’ll follow the main three pieces of advice above, your project will stand a much better chance of coming in on time and on budget. Above all, ask questions. Lots of questions!
9.28.2010
simple inspiration
I was recently asked by the Nashville Books Examiner to recommend five books that I thought were worthy. (article) It's quite difficult to find a list that all would enjoy, and narrowing to five was much harder than I expected. It led me back to one of my favorite books, Cradle to Cradle. And seriously, if you haven't read it, do so. It's a "no pictures (I admit. I like pictures. It's the architect in me), sit down and just read it" kind of book. That doesn't sound very flattering but if you're as visually inclined as I am, you'll know where I'm coming from (this probably makes me a reasonable book critic because I'm so hard to hook).
There are several things going on right now that have had me thinking, and looking back at this book puts it all back into perspective for me. There are several quotes from the book I like (see my FB page for one), but there are some others listed in the front of the book that I would like to share.
It's amazing how sometimes little things, like randomly picking up a book you haven't look through in a while, become a source of inspiration - just when you think you're losing steam or that no one really gets you.
"The world will not evolve past its current state of crisis by using the same thinking that created the situation." --Albert Einstein
"What you people call our natural resources our people call our relatives." --Oren Lyons, faith keeper of the Onondaga
And finally, the book is dedicated: "To our families, and to all of the children of all species for all time"
No matter what you believe about the environment, where it's headed, and who's fault it is, it's never a bad idea to take care of what's been given to us. Do so for the sake of the people who will probably still be stuck with the same problems we're facing right now. Someday they'll look back thinking, "If they had only done ____..."
There are several things going on right now that have had me thinking, and looking back at this book puts it all back into perspective for me. There are several quotes from the book I like (see my FB page for one), but there are some others listed in the front of the book that I would like to share.
It's amazing how sometimes little things, like randomly picking up a book you haven't look through in a while, become a source of inspiration - just when you think you're losing steam or that no one really gets you.
"The world will not evolve past its current state of crisis by using the same thinking that created the situation." --Albert Einstein
"What you people call our natural resources our people call our relatives." --Oren Lyons, faith keeper of the Onondaga
And finally, the book is dedicated: "To our families, and to all of the children of all species for all time"
No matter what you believe about the environment, where it's headed, and who's fault it is, it's never a bad idea to take care of what's been given to us. Do so for the sake of the people who will probably still be stuck with the same problems we're facing right now. Someday they'll look back thinking, "If they had only done ____..."
9.09.2010
Is there really only one thing?
Sometimes people ask me, “If I can do one thing environmentally conscious, what would the most important thing be?” “A list from most important to least?” This is such a tough question because there are so many facets to consider and many opinions differ. So, the question becomes – if you can do only one thing, what will make the most impact? Even I don’t have the answer to that.
If you think in terms of our built structures – our homes and businesses – one answer would be to touch the earth as lightly as possible. Even that answer has many options and can be interpreted in many ways. To some people that means building earth-structures, to others that means the reuse of a building that is already built. It can even be a combination of these things.
When we start out working on a design, we think about space. What spaces do you want? What spaces do you need? Do you really need all the spaces you want?
A factor to consider when thinking about space is resources.
More space = more resources.
Less resources used = better for the environment.
More resources used = not so good for the environment.
If all these things are true, then to build more space is not good for the environment. Nevertheless, the world population continues to grow and we continue to need more space to house everyone. So, how do you do this and not ruin the world in which we live and that our children’s children will also live?
When thinking about your next home or business project ask yourself some questions -
- How much space do I really need?
- Can some of my spaces be used for multiple purposes?
- How can this be designed efficiently to make it feel more spacious?
- Are there spaces that I can reuse or re-purpose?
- Are there materials in these spaces that I can reuse or recycle?
- If I have to replace something how can I do it responsibly?
Although opinions about what constitutes an environmentally conscious way to inhabit our lives vary, there are common questions we can ask. Many people are only able to do “one thing.” That one thing may not be the only solution - and one thing is better than nothing.
If you think in terms of our built structures – our homes and businesses – one answer would be to touch the earth as lightly as possible. Even that answer has many options and can be interpreted in many ways. To some people that means building earth-structures, to others that means the reuse of a building that is already built. It can even be a combination of these things.
When we start out working on a design, we think about space. What spaces do you want? What spaces do you need? Do you really need all the spaces you want?
A factor to consider when thinking about space is resources.
More space = more resources.
Less resources used = better for the environment.
More resources used = not so good for the environment.
If all these things are true, then to build more space is not good for the environment. Nevertheless, the world population continues to grow and we continue to need more space to house everyone. So, how do you do this and not ruin the world in which we live and that our children’s children will also live?
When thinking about your next home or business project ask yourself some questions -
- How much space do I really need?
- Can some of my spaces be used for multiple purposes?
- How can this be designed efficiently to make it feel more spacious?
- Are there spaces that I can reuse or re-purpose?
- Are there materials in these spaces that I can reuse or recycle?
- If I have to replace something how can I do it responsibly?
Although opinions about what constitutes an environmentally conscious way to inhabit our lives vary, there are common questions we can ask. Many people are only able to do “one thing.” That one thing may not be the only solution - and one thing is better than nothing.
7.28.2010
Great News for EcoTimber!
The August 2010 issue of Consumer Reports has named EcoTimber Honey Solid Woven Bamboo as a Top Overall Pick and “Recommended Best Buy” in the solid hardwood category.
In addition, EcoTimber Vertical Grain Solid Strip Bamboo was named #2 Overall Pick for the same issue, moving up several spots from last year’s issue.
This category encompasses all conventional (not just eco-friendly) hardwoods! We knew it was a great product and now other people are taking note!
EcoTimber Solid Woven Bamboo is $5.39/sqft!
EcoTimber Vertical Grain Bamboo is $4.39/sqft!
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