Nannie Inez
Because we’re aware that not everyone will be in Austin this month for SXSW (and even those who do might not have time to break away to see good design), we thought we’d bring a bigger taste of Austin design to you with a visual tour and store profile of Nannie Inez.
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Name/Title: Deeyn Rhodes, owner+buyer (she co-owns Nannie Inez with Lonzo Jackson)
Launch date: Finding the right location for Nannie Inez was incredibly challenging so we watched, waited and planned the concept of Nannie Inez for about 3 years. When the right space presented itself (on South First street), we officially opened to the public on November 26th, 2012.
Inspiration for opening: I love design and believe wholeheartedly that you are affected by your surroundings. We wanted to create a space that was delightful. Our shop is obviously a retail store but we have always hoped to create a space for someone to have an experience, to see something new and hopefully take away something special for their home that will bring joy to their every day lives.
Top brands: We love HAY and I’m really proud that we were the first store in America to sell OYOY, prints from Silke Bonde and Nynne Rosenvinge.
Best selling item: That’s a tough one… I’d say pretty much anything from HAY. Our Silke Bond and Alyson Fox prints are a favorite and pretty much anything related to plants…I love my plants!
Favorite store (other than your own): I love shops with a clear brand identity and that intangible charm that comes through with authenticity. I adore Centre Commercial in Paris, The Shops at Bluebird and Darkroom in London are really great and LN-CC is outrageous! If you visit this shop, prepare to have your mind blown.
How did you come to own Nannie Inez? I had worked in the luxury fashion industry between NYC and London for nearly 10 years but had always secretly wanted to have my own shop. While my experience in fashion sort of put me in the mindset of working with creatives, I was most inspired by my time spent living in London. London is my happy place in terms of design. I don’t know why or how this British sensibility came to be but it’s thoughtful and modern yet whimsical and playful. It is that whimsical and playful spirit that we always try to incorporate into Nannie Inez.
Future plans for the business: We’ve just started to dip our toes into the interior design world and have a few exciting projects that we are working on. Our first year was all about establishing the brick and mortar shop and in year two we will focus a bit more on growing our online presence. We also have a few exclusive Nannie Inez products that we are developing and this has been very fun. I guess the continuous thread here is growth and collaboration with others. We can’t do these things totally on our own and I look forward to working more with some of the talented folks we’ve met along the way.
Where should visitors to Austin go to absorb good design while they’re here in Austin? Name a couple of places. In Austin so much creativity is expressed through our local businesses. A lot of effort is being made to create something unique and there are so many instagramable moments! To name a few: Elizabeth St. Café (especially for breakfast) San Jose Hotel (you will feel like a writer whose gone off to the desert to work on your novel) Lenoir Weather Up
Shops:
Top Instagramable moments:
- Greetings from Austin mural on S. First St
- I love you so much at Joes Coffee
- Mural at Hillside Farmacy
- Mural at Quickie Pickie
- Mural at Easy Tiger
Thanks, Deeyn! Virtually (or if you’re in Austin, visit) Nannie Inez today.