Design Assistance as You Feather Your Nest

Nest combines retail home furnishings with decorating assistance

By Judy Royal  »  Photos by Rachel Hoenig

Recently celebrating its 11-year anniversary, Nest Fine Gifts & Interiors offers an alternative to those who may not need or want to pay an hourly rate to a design firm.

Owner Monika Williams said the 4,000-square-foot shop includes a large design center with two interior designers on staff to help customers, whether they just need some complimentary guidance while shopping or require a professional to come out to their homes to design a plan. Nest also has a Raleigh location that opened three years ago.

“We really do all size projects, from whole house to small areas,” Williams says. “It all starts with a conversation.”

After getting a good idea of the scope of the project, a designer will ask about the client’s budget as well the plan for how each space will be used.

“It’s all about how much time people spend, how the priority is ranked,” says Williams. “Depending on how they live in their surroundings and what their budget is, the designers are really good about sizing up what to do first. They’re just working to do what the client wants, and their inspiration is going to come from seeing their style and talking about what they want.”

For larger Nest projects that involve designers putting together a plan, the cost of that plan is returned in credits to the customer when they purchase items from Nest, Williams explains.

“We can grab pieces right away,” she says, describing the process. “We do sell everything off the floor, and we can order from other vendors.”

While modern coastal homes are typical candidates for Nest’s services, residences all over Southeastern North Carolina have turned to the business for decorating assistance, Williams shares.

“We’ve helped a lot of clients who had older, established homes in town that were just trying to update them a little bit,” she said. “They’re just trying make it more transitional, not the darker antiques and things. A lot of times it’s just a gradual switchout of a few pieces in a room to make it not as traditional.”

Satisfied customers are the ultimate reward for Nest employees, Williams shares.

“We like to beautify spaces,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to see everything come together. Just knowing that the client is happy is all we need.”

Nest Fine Gifts & Interiors is located at 1125 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington, 910-256-6378. nestfinegifts.com