Today we’d like to introduce you to Katy Cassaw & Kat Benson.
Katy Cassaw & Kat Benson, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When the firm we had both been working for suddenly closed, we started meeting up for lunch just to vent about how hard it was to find the kinds of design jobs we were hoping for. One day, Kat got a message on Facebook from a past client asking if she could help with some furniture. We looked at each other and thought, ‘Well… why not? What do we have to lose?’ So we decided to take it on together. That conversation happened in a booth at a Panera Bread in 2014, and that’s where Nest Interiors was born. It definitely wasn’t a glamorous business launch, but it was real—and it was the start of everything. Looking back, it taught us that sometimes the best opportunities come from just saying yes to what’s right in front of you. We have since grown our business to 6 employees and take on all sizes of projects- from new construction, large home renovations and furnishings.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not — but what small business hasn’t faced its share of challenges? We started out very small, and during Covid, we quickly realized there was a growing demand for our services. As a result, both our team and the scale of our projects expanded rapidly, and we had to learn and adapt along the way. Now, we finally feel confident in the solid processes we’ve built and proud of the consistent, thoughtful experience we provide to our clients.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Nest Interiors?
With a focus on residential design, we specialize in new construction, remodeling, consulting, and furnishings installation. We create timeless interiors that reflect each client’s unique style, bringing their vision to life with a signature Nest touch. Every project tells a personal story, expressed through a refined mix of design influences—bold, sophisticated, and effortlessly livable. We never repeat the same look, curating each space uniquely for our amazing clients.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Katy- Growing up, I was always drawn to art. I would spend hours tucked away in my closet, happily coloring on my own. While other kids were playing with dolls or Barbies, I was completely captivated by anything creative. Funny enough, my future mother-in-law happened to be my art teacher, and she taught me the importance of trusting my instincts and expressing myself through art. That early love for creativity naturally paved the way for my journey into interior design.
Kat- Like Katy, I was always drawn to anything creative. I grew up in a small town that didn’t offer many creative classes or outlets, but I took every art class I could—and even signed up for “Building Trades” in high school, which was a program that actually built a house from the ground up. At the time, I didn’t know much about interior design, but I was fascinated by space planning and the idea that a home can reflect a person’s story and shape their memories and experiences. Walking into that class the first day was definitely intimidating—there were a few laughs and under-the-breath comments since it was mostly guys planning to go into construction after high school. I was the only girl in the class, so I had to earn my spot. But after framing walls, nailing shingles, and taping drywall with the best of them, I learned so much and ended up making some great friendships. My teacher was incredibly supportive and even let me help pick out the color palette and finishes for the project. That experience was when it all started to click for me—realizing that design could be the perfect way to blend my artistic creativity with something tangible and meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nestkc.com
- Instagram: nestinteriorskc
- Facebook: Nest Interiors
