UPON STEPPING foot into Gigi’s Nest, one of Tullahoma’s best-kept secrets, you are instantly welcomed by pieces both old and new. Each one seems to speak to customers searching for a special something they won’t find just anywhere. Every item feels intentionally chosen — selected for the space and for the person who discovers it. These finds are meant to brighten a day, spark a memory, or simply serve as a well-deserved treat.
It’s also a place where creativity is both welcomed and treasured. The owner, Kathy Sherrill, is a lifelong creative who loves crafting new things but also giving new life to treasured items. Whether it’s helping her customers find that perfect gift, offering guidance on a restoration project, or simply just talking about all things handmade, Sherrill’s shop is a hub for the unique and the creative.
Sherrill moved to the area nearly four decades ago when her husband opened Wood and Stone Interiors, a cabinet shop that steadily grew over the next 15 years. For the past 15 years, she has worked in the business herself, handling payroll and other responsibilities — a role she continues today.
Helping where she could, she began looking for something that felt like her own. For a while, she poured her energy and creativity into custom jewelry, finding success and joy in the work. But eventually, she felt drawn to something different. And “different” was the key.
“I did not want to be a cookie-cutter business,” she said. “I love unique things. That was my goal. I wanted to sell things that nobody else did.”
That desire — to be completely herself — became the heartbeat of Gigi’s Nest, the shop she opened more than a decade ago and shaped into a reflection of her eclectic soul. Walking inside feels like stepping into Sherrill’s imagination: warm, cozy, and full of unexpected delights.
The space is filled with one-of-a-kind finds, revived treasures, and handmade pieces that carry her special touch.
“It’s always changing,” she said. “Things never remain the same as far as styles. I order a lot of really cool, unique things. Not eight of one thing, but just two. I want to keep things fresh and different.”
Sherrill hopes that when customers come through the door, they immediately pick up on the welcoming vibe and safe place for all that is unique and creative.
“I know that when people come in here, they feel the vibe,” she said. “As soon as they walk in the door, I try to always have music playing and a candle burning. I want people to come in here and just feel the feeling that I feel when I come here every day. I’m happy and excited to be here. But I just want people to come in and feel good and relaxed and take their time because there’s a lot to see.”
Part of what makes Gigi’s Nest so special is Sherrill’s ability to breathe new life into old pieces. Over the years, she has made vintage pillows, curtains, custom beads, and countless refurbished items that now live in homes throughout the community.
“I paint furniture,” she explained. “Ladies will bring me their grandma’s antiques or dad’s whatever. I paint them however they want, or I’ll give them ideas. I like variety and color. Painting everything white is not for me.”
That’s where she said her “Gigi magic’’ happens. It’s not just paint or fabric or design — it’s the way she sees what something could be, not just what it is.
“When I am doing the furniture, and I’m painting, it’s very exciting to me,” she said. “I use the basic information that my customer tells me, and I take it from there. They trust me to give it my ‘Gigi magic.’ And everybody’s always been happy with the few things that I’ve done on my own. I have been blessed.”
Sherrill added that local businesses like hers keep unique gifts affordable while helping money stay within the community. They make it easy to find something special without overspending.
“We are affordable,” she stated. “In my store — and most of the stores like mine — there’s a wide range of prices. If you’re looking for a gift for someone, you can stop in and find something unique and cool without breaking the bank. Also, the money needs to stay in our community.”
Sherrill hopes customers will see that Gigi’s Nest is more than a shop. It’s a place where stories are preserved, forgotten pieces are reborn, and visitors feel welcomed into something warm and personal. It’s a reflection of herself — someone eclectic, vibrant, and proudly unlike anything else. GN
