the 06/04/2008

Upscale office furniture design firm open

    

"It's going to be a blast," Nash says about the open house that isfree to the public and will include live music, food and beverages."We're excited about becoming part of the fabric of Downtown, andthis ought to be a fun way to start." The plan has been in the works for more than a year, beginning whenNash approached the owners of Office Evolutions in Bartlett with aproposal to open a satellite office Downtown. Nash believed that as the area's exclusive Knoll dealer, theupscale OE TOO would be a natural addition to the arts district. "I credit Martha's vision with getting this off the ground," saysGeorge Roberson, one of the owners. "She's the one who took thisidea to fruition, and now it's something we're all proud of." Architect John Jones, whose firm shares space in the building,agrees. "The tide is rising Downtown now that Martha's here," Jones says."She's a whirlwind, and we're all looking forward to getting caughtup in it." The shop features high-end Office Furniture Design, including Barcelona chairs byKnoll, exclusive pieces from Kartell and handmade African art fromZambezi Studios. There is a variety of lighting as well, andthousands of fabric samples, wall treatments and furniturecoverings. In conjunction with the original Bartlett store, the firm dealswith more than 200 vendors and designs office spaces from smallcompanies to large corporations. Renovations are mostly complete at the space that occupies thecorner of S. Main and Nettleton, which Nash hopes will become a hubof sorts for the local design community. The shop will offer an ongoing series of lunch-and-learn programs,and offer architects and designers free use of its library. "This is fabulous. It's unique for Memphis," says Diane Martin,interior designer at OE TOO. "With what we offer and all the lineswe carry, there's nothing like this in the area." In addition to Nash and Martin, there will be another designer onstaff. The firm will be open for consultations and walk-ins duringthe week, and by appointment on Saturdays. Already the store is eliciting attention, Nash says, and a numberof organizations are lining up to rent it for fund-raisers andprivate parties. Part of her mission, she explains, is encouragingcreative folks to use the creative space. "I'm the CFO, which I like to say is the chief fun officer," Nashexplains. "We're a lively bunch. I think we're going to fit rightinto the mix of Downtown."