Kingston Students Union

We teamed up with Kingston Students Union in 2020 to start investigating ideas for a standalone space in Kingston - could we develop their offer from more than a rail of hoodies in their reception?

Overview

We researched existing pop-ups, retail and regeneration ventures from Glasgow School of Art, Southampton, LCC, Sheffield and Croydon and took inspiration.

In December 2020 we spotted an opportunity to go for the Mayor of London’s Make London Fund with a cash pot of £30,000 from the Mayor himself. We co-wrote the bid with KUS and developed a relationship with a landlord of a vacant unit, securing us a space rent free for five months. We pitched to key existing stakeholders at Kingston Council and Canadian & Portland Estates to support.

Following the successful crowdfunded which raised over £70,000 we steered the creative direction of the branding, identity and interiors, setting the BA Creative and Cultural Industries and BA Interiors students a brief to create a name, identity and interior plan.

Not My Beautiful House

We opened the first space in May 2021 and actually stayed there for a year, a little longer than the four months planned. Even more incredibly in March 2022 we won further funding and a new space to operate from in the town centre.

NMBH was housed in the Ancient Market House from May 2022 until December 2024. We saw a 40% increase in sales and up to 450% increase in footfall compared to the same time last year. Our sales doubled and footfall increased by 200%, and we represented over 200 sellers stocking everything from prints, greetings cards, ceramics, jewellry, textiles, vintage clothes and homewares.

Not bad for a four month project! Studio KT1 led on the curation and exhibition design as well as sourcing collaborations and new artists for shows.

We were nominated for two years running in the best independant retailer at the Kingston Borough Business Awards, and won in 2024. and nominated for the Creative Retail Awards for best Pop up Shop

The project space is now closed but you can shop online at https://www.notmybeautifulhouse.co.uk/