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On a recent Saturday afternoon, the space at 906 Buchanan Street in North Nashville was a hive of activity. Outside, a community yard sale was taking place in the parking lot, while, inside, Kidd and Ally Epps were manning the art shop, a showroom space for Kidd's minimalist furniture and lighting pieces. The Epps family has come to love this up-and-coming area of North Nashville. Nearby, other local artists, like Emil Erwin, Nisolo, and Salemtown Board Co., have retail and studio spaces, and, just down the street at 911 Buchanan, a new pizza place is setting up shop. Called Slim & Husky's, it's one of Kidd's latest projects as he works on the build-out.
Originally from Houston, Kidd attended Austin Peay State University for graphic design and has also worked in construction, which he says gave him an understanding of how things are made. As a designer, though, he's self-taught. Along with his business partner, Michael Williams, he creates all the company's pieces by hand. The pair specializes in furniture, lighting, commercial, and retail designbut they have aspirations for so much more. Using materials such as walnut, steel, aluminum, and hickory, Kidd uses his design talent to craft pieces that radiate simplicity and timelessness. With each, he hopes to to change today's market trend.
'We've become this throwaway market,” he says. 'We buy cheap things, keep them while the trend's hot, and then we toss them out. If I was putting my mission into a box: We want to create pieces that last both in design and quality. So, they're always beautiful. They transcend the trends and the times.”
Kidd Epps Art Shop opened last fall. It serves not only as a retail space, but also as a showroom, displaying Kidd's talent (including sleek beds, tables, and light fixtures) and a small collection of other goods (like men's clothing by New York-based Knickerbocker Mfg. Co. and accessories from the Blind Barber). Both Kidd and Ally feel passionate about stocking their store with goods from makers they have collaborated with or know personally.
Kidd designed and created the steel and glass storefront himself. 'If you love the way you feel when you come in here, we can do that for you,” Kidd says.
Last month, the couple launched an e-commerce site, and, soon, the shop will house several other components, some including Ally's collection of women's vintage clothing, an in-house tailor, and coffee from Barista Parlor. The space will also double as an event and gallery venue.
Although the Epps currently live in Clarksville, their ultimate goal is to live, work, and build in this part of North Nashville, while creating jobs for other locals as well as internships for students. 'I want to do everything that's interesting,” Kidd declaresand, by the looks of it, he's well on his way.
906 Buchanan St, 931-933-0992; kiddepps.com