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.
This home served as a demonstration of my design vision and Jason’s handiwork. It also lent 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.
After completely transforming every square inch of our Colorado home, Jason and I were called back to the Midwest, where we both grew up. We are currently gutting and remodeling a 2007 semi-custom home to align with our tastes and our family’s needs. Follow along on Instagram @nest.out.west to see what we’ve been up to!
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. There are plenty of brands whom I’ve declined collaborations with, or that I’ve accepted, only to receive the product and not be willing to endorse it publicly. 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, I do not have availability, but every so often, my calendar opens up! Please join the waitlist and apply for an appointment. As for rates, consultations begin at $185/hour, and e-design packages start at $2,100 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?”
Ponder 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. I 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 my go-to whites are Sherwin Williams Alabaster, Snowbound, Marshmallow, and Incredible White; as well as Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee, Chantilly Lace, White Dove, and Simply White.
Do you ever negotiate on rates?
Depending on the scope of the project and the proposed volume of work, the retail value of the product (regarding brand collaborations), and other factors, I do occasionally offer discounted rates.
