Helping women in need

Nest Contract Furnishings is my 2nd act.  My first act was in the healthcare profession.  I thought I might miss the "helping people" aspect of my previous career as I moved on to my new one.

Little did I know how fulfilling furniture could be!

A little while ago, Nest was fortunate enough to be asked to design and furnish apartments for a non-profit agency who provides transitional housing for addicted mothers.  They support and counsel the residents to help them break the cycle of poverty and addiction with a focus on helping them rebuild relationships with their children (talk about fulfilling!).

We specified new furnishings from All A Board Furniture in Richmond, Virginia. This included sofas, chairs, dining tables/chairs, bedroom suites etc. to outfit most of the apartments in the building.  

Yes, the furniture looked amazing but the experience ended up to be SO much more than furniture.  I had a chance to meet some of the tenants during the installation but one young woman, in particular, really struck me as having that "something special".

After the installation, I really wanted to see for myself how everything turned out so I revisited to make sure our clients were pleased.

My visit began with a conversation with the operations coordinator.  I wanted to see how she liked the finished spaces and make sure she was satisfied (she was).

She mentioned that one young women in particular - the one who had I found so inspiring - was overjoyed with her new apartment. 


She said "you really have to see what an amazing job she did decorating..."  Of course I was anxious to see both her and the apartment, so we called up to see if I could visit and get a tour.

These are pictures I took while she showed me around her new space.

I was overcome with emotion to see her absolute pride and joy for the apartment and this new 
furniture.


We ended up talking for quite awhile about how much she loves living there and how proud she was to decorate it "like the magazines".

That conversation moved seamlessly to her children, her past, her future...  

When I left and walked back down into the lobby, my eyes were rimmed with tears of happiness for this young lady and for my having the chance to spend some time with her.  

The wonderful ladies that work at the apartments every day just smiled... They clearly saw, by my expression, that I was moved by the story and excitement for the future of this young woman.

This is why they do what they do every single day.

If ever I needed confirmation of why we started Nest Contract Furnishings with the goal of creating spaces that inspire and empower - "furnishing human potential" - I got it that day in a little apartment that became a source of pride and accomplishment for a lovely young lady who has a bright, bright future.