Nest was established in 2014, originally located on the ancient high street in the historic Cinque Port Town Of Rye, East Sussex. 

We were working in healthcare but wanted to create a space where we could fulfil our creative side. We took the oppurtunity to sign the lease on a cute little shop with the main goal being that we wanted to support local crafters, artists & upcyclers. There was a real lack of quality concession premises, that could display creative handmade items. We wanted to offer a beautiful space that would compliment the hundreds of hours of hard work and skill which it takes to learn and perfect these crafts.

We showcased their work in our shop and had a lovely community of creatives encouraging each other. We managed to stock some beautiful items and made some lovely friends.

 

 

 

We eventually took a break from Nest to spend more time with family, go to university and concentrate on looking after two of our children, who both required heart surgeries. At this point we had put our creativity on the backburner and thought no more of it until we had one of our Friday night natters with a glass of wine.

In May 2018, a year after we put our name on the waiting list for a unit at the stunning location we now call home, we opened our new workshop at Evegate in Smeeth. Located just outside the market town of Ashford in the heart of the Kent countryside, it really is a place of beauty, where we feel creative and happy.

We had a converted stone farm building which was absolutely beautiful but working alongside the fabulous Isobel from Bell & Bond Furniture, we soon outgrew the space. Workshops were becoming more popular and we had lots of stock to paint… and lots of paint to sell.

In November 2019, we started seriously thinking about how to increase our workspace. A plant nursery that was now empty on-site at Evegate had become available. After speaking to the fab Evegate Partnership, we moved forward with our new plan, intending to be in by May – then Covid-19 hit. We really thought at this point that we would have to completely dissolve Nest. Luckily paint sales rocketed by 500% and as Steph sold paint from her garage at home for four months, delivering contactlessly, behind the scenes the planning, designing, and wallpaper buying continued….ready…waiting.

September 2020 – We would like to introduce you to our new purpose-built studio, showroom, and shop ‘The Workshop’.

We would also like to thank the entire Evegate planning and building team for all their hard work. Our special thanks go out to Kevin Smith, who passed away before he could see our vision finished. He was a wonderful guy, a fantastic roofer, and always took time to have a cuppa and chat with us about our project.