Islands - Not Just for the Kitchen!
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BY C A R R I E M C C O N K E Y, W W W.C A R R I E M C C O N K E Y.C O M
ID YOU KNOW that the kitchen island concept began as early as the 1800s, when households placed work tables in front of the hearth? Today, the handy structure has moved into the closet, where it’s never been more at home. Below, we’ll explore the storage, function, and beauty that an island can bring to your closet. Storage Flexible storage is the most important role of a closet island. Although its standard height is usually 36" to 42", yours can be as large (or compact) as you need it to be. A place for shoes, jewelry, and scarves can be part of the design or a rod for short-hanging clothes such as shirts, pants, or blouses. Function Adding an island to your closet is not only a smart way to make the most of unused space, it can expand your closet’s uses. Add a convenient padded bench or a desk or vanity counter under which you can tuck a chair. Outlets or a charging station are a smart option, and hooks are handy for hanging tomorrow’s clothes.
Beauty Use your island to create a stunning focal point in your closet. Decorative knobs and cabinet doors provide texture and color, lighting adds drama, and the top of your island can be made of marble, backpainted glass, or clear glass that displays your jewelry in drawers underneath. No longer limited to the kitchen, the island can be an indispensable addition to your closet. Call, click, or visit Closets by McKenry to design an island of your own today!
Closets by McKenry 201 Center Park Drive, #1070 Knoxville, TN 37922 865.249.6382 ClosetsbyMcKenry.com
Random Acts of Flowers Makes 150,000th Delivery!
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A N D O M AC T S of Flower s started when its founder, Larsen Jay, was in the hospital recovering from a serious accident. During his stay, he received so many floral arrangements that his room was overflowing. He felt the positive emotions that each delivery of flowers gave him and felt encouraged knowing that others were thinking of him during his long road to recovery. When he was wheeled out of his room to get some fresh air and sunshine, he noticed that many other patients had no flowers, so he shared his with those that had nothing. He saw them light up and smile with happiness upon receiving a random act of kindness - and that was how Random Acts of Flowers started! In its first full year in 2009, Random Acts of Flowers made 2,140 flower arrangements from donated and recycled flowers, then delivered them to individuals in local healthcare facilities. From this humble beginning, Random Acts of Flowers has achieved an incredible milestone - it recently made its 150,000th delivery of flowers to an individual in a local hospital that needed encouragement, a personal
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EVERYTHING KNOXVILLE
May 2022
moment of kindness, and a smile! Currently, Random Acts of Flowers delivers 1,200-1,400 beautiful arrangements per month created from flowers that are donated from grocery stores, large retail stores, churches, and event centers. The vases are donated by groups doing vase drives at their workplace, school, or church, from healthcare centers returning the vases from previous deliveries, and from individuals cleaning out their homes. Being very focused on our environmental responsibility, all donated vases are used by Random Acts of Flowers, donated to our
floral partners, or donated to local thrift stores to raise funds for a charitable institution - none of them are discarded. Random Acts of Flowers has used and re-purposed more than 188,000 vases that otherwise would have ended up in a landfill. In addition to recycling flowers and vases, Random Acts of Flowers has recycled tons of green waste that is used in various green compost mixes. We want to thank all of the dedicated Random Acts of Flowers’ volunteers, donors, and supporters who have sustained our effort over the years and made it possible to achieve this incredible milestone of delivering 150,000 random acts of kindness! We look forward to pursuing this effort for many years to come and continuing to provide encouragement and a moment of kindness to those in local healthcare facilities that need an emotional boost - and a smile. 200,000th delivery, here we come! For information on making a donation, having a Random Acts of Flowers event, or volunteering, call 865-633-9082, email info@RAFKnoxville.org, or visit RAFKnoxville.org.
