We recently connected with TAYLOR RICHARDSON and have shared our conversation below.

TAYLOR, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I started 210 Seattle during the beginning of the 2020 pandemic as a safe space for local photographers and creatives to work in. Being that we had so many restrictions, it was a large open space that I designed as a blank canvas with props so the community could rent the space at a low hourly rate to create in.

I formerly operated my Interior design studio and indoor plant shop out of the space and held pop up markets during the neighborhoods art walk, so once the world opened back up again I began to host the pop up markets again and that is how I started the 210 Seattle Market.

In the last 4 years the space has grown into a community space, production space and rentable venue for weddings, birthdays, art shows, and more!

The building hosts a lot of history and is almost 140 years old. It is one of the few last buildings from Seattle’s original Chinatown before it became Pioneer Square. The Chin Gee Hee building was used as a mixed space of cafe, leather making, and more during the late 1800s to early 1900s.

Opening this business was most definitely a risk, it’s not retail, it’s not food + beverage, and it’s not a theater of any kind. It’s a blank canvas with a set aesthetic and while opening it all I could hope for is that people would appreciate the light, airy space I created and overall design vibe. I wasn’t sure if people would be into it, or understand the concept but here we are at year four and it’s really starting to take off!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I moved to Seattle from Eastern Washington in 2011 to go to art school for Interior design. I did not end up finishing school after I started an internship at a design firm and I honestly learned so much from working hands on. While learning Interior design I also learned the ropes of owning and operating a small business.

The primary focus of my career has always been design, but after starting 210 I have grown into an overall entrepreneur and creative director with a big design background.

My approach is local. I love our Seattle community and it has shown me so much love in return over the years. Creating a clean, beautiful space for people to rent and switching up the props, furniture and decor seasonally has also been a very fun process for me. It keeps it fresh, and keeps it looking new for clients to get excited about. I guess you could say that’s where my design background really ties in.

In addition to renting the venue, I offer full event design packages, as well as planning and floral design. Offering leads to photographers, videographers, caterers and more, the idea is to make this space your one stop shop.

Have you ever had to pivot?

After selling my plant shop Florence, which was what originally made me become a small business owner, I decided to pivot that plant shop and design concept idea into just an Interior design studio. The reason for initially wanting to become a small business owner was my design background.

When the pandemic started I began to shift more into retail and indoor plants and it drew me away from my original passion.

In 2023 after being open for 4+ years, I sold the plant shop and began to focus more on 210, and my Interior design studio.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I am a community gal, and love to be face to face with the client. I have always held and maintained a professional yet friendly approach to our clients. We have so many repeat customers and word of mouth bookings because of this. I think of the business as more of a professional friendship with our clients and I feel the majority of them could say the same!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.210studioseattle.com
• Instagram: @210seattle

Image Credits
Janette Casolary – photographer