Hi! I’m Cait.
I founded Nest Out West on the principle that you don’t need to be made of money in order to create a home you love. Moving from the Midwest to economically booming Denver, CO in 2014, my husband Jason and I found ourselves in a position where—in order to come remotely close to what we wanted in our first home—we needed to spend far more than we had ever imagined. Our first house had a small footprint and was builder-grade-basic. We loved it and made it exactly what we wanted, using our nights and weekends to DIY projects that brought some much-needed warmth and character while not breaking the bank.
Upon having our first child (and realizing the complete lack of storage that house offered), we sold our first house for a nice profit, allowing us to move into yet another fixer. This one was decades-old and needed a lot of updating, but it was in the right neighborhood, had beautiful views, nearly double the square footage, and loads of potential. We just needed to look past the 20-year-old wall-to-wall carpet, moldy windows, and ‘90s-glam bathroom details.
Today, this home is where our toddler Joe, infant Everleigh, and quirky dog Gunner laugh, play, cry, and grow. It serves as a demonstration of my design vision and Jason’s handiwork. It also lends a pretty backdrop for product photography and branding sessions. In fact, many brands big and small have rented this home for their photoshoots. Being a trained photographer myself, I have also photographed products for local and national brands such as Pottery Barn, Signature Hardware, LL Flooring, Loloi Rugs, Ruggable, Café Appliances, McGee & Co., and many more.
Whether you are a brand looking for styled product photography and/or social media promotion, or you’re a homeowner in need of some guidance on achieving a look that speaks to you in your space, Nest Out West is here to help.
FAQs
Where can I find information on products and materials used in your home?
You can find shoppable, styled spaces from my home on the LIKEtoKNOWit app. I’ve also published a few source guide blog posts that link to products I love and choose to use in my home, and you can find those in the “Blog” tab and in the site’s footer.
What is your honest opinion about X brand or product?
As a matter of integrity and credibility, I only support brands and products I love and stand by. If I’m taking the time to write about or speak about a product on my Instagram account or here on the blog, it’s because I truly appreciate that product. This also helps people who follow my account to trust that my endorsement is genuine. If you’re still not sure I’m being honest about a product or brand, feel free to send me a direct message on Instagram ;)
What are your design rates, and do you have availability?
At this moment, we do not have availability, but every so often, our calendar opens up! Please join the waitlist and apply for an appointment. As for rates, consultations begin at $125/hour, and e-design packages start at $1,375 per room.
What should I look for in a fixer?
The term “good bones” refers to the framework of a house. When looking at properties you plan to fix up yourself, especially on a tight budget, ask yourself, “Does this house have good bones? Are the walls and foundation sturdy? Am I comfortable with the ceiling height? Does the house get enough natural light with the directions the windows face?”
Ask yourself these questions to start, and definitely look past things that are really easy to change, such as paint colors, floor materials, light fixtures, etc.
What are your favorite white paints?
Natural light plays a major role in selecting the best white paint. We always highly recommend sampling 3-5 shades of white by painting them onto your walls or applying a peel-and-stick paint sample. With that said, some of our go-to whites are Sherwin Williams Alabaster, Snowbound, Marshmallow, and Incredible White; and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee, Chantilly Lace, White Dove, and Simply White.
Do you ever negotiate on rates?
Depending on the scope of work, the retail value of the product (re: collabs), the urgency of (or lack thereof) the project, and some other factors, I do occasionally offer discounted rates. Discounts are determined on a case-by-case basis.
