Forest + Ash
The elements of style can be found on every table and shelf.
On any given day, Exeter shop Forest + Ash bustles with activity. People flock here to check out the ever-changing merchandise, which ranges from candles and pillows to home goods, purses, jewelry, rugs, handcrafts and more. Since opening in July 2019, Forest + Ash has developed a devoted following, with patrons regularly making the drive from Concord, Manchester, Massachusetts and beyond.
“We see many clients here every weekend,” says Robin Drunsic, co-owner and founder with her business partner, Hanna Schaffer. “They make a day of it, browsing the store and coming for lunch in Exeter.”
What’s the secret? In part, it is an eye for unique and tasteful items that are difficult to find elsewhere. “We work hard to source from great artisans and to find things that other local stores don’t have,” says Drunsic. “We also have interior design expertise.” Forest + Ash’s interior design service is led by Schaffer, who worked independently as a designer before teaming up with Drunsic. “Our design clients love the Forest + Ash look, which is a clean, modern yet homey style, and clients can create that vibe through the items offered in the shop,” says Drunsic.
All staff are trained to offer design advice if clients ask. “Your home is your sanctuary and the place you want to feel like you, but many clients struggle with choosing the right rug or accent piece that pulls it all together,” explains Drunsic. “We encourage clients to bring in photos of their rooms, and we help curate what works.”
Keeping the shop’s inventory fresh and diverse ensures that patrons always discover something new. Drunsic and Schaffer also put extra effort into redesigning their window displays every two to three months. “Watching for the new window display is a thing,” Drunsic says with a laugh. “People stop to see what we create.”
While Forest + Ash is filled with treasures, there are customer favorites, such as the candles, diffusers and lotions from Farm + Sea out of Amesbury, Massachusetts. Another must-buy is the popcorn popper that folds flat, pops up to pop the corn, then folds flat again.
The shop features quality goods available in a wide spectrum of prices, with pillows, for example, ranging from $48 to $168. “We also offer affordable art, so everyone can have great pieces,” says Drunsic. “Sarah Madeira Day, an amazing artist from Falmouth, Maine, provides us with gorgeous prints that always sell out. We also have fantastic New Hampshire maps illustrated with famous landmarks, from Brainstorm in Dover. They come framed and are hugely popular.”
Drunsic and Schaffer have more exciting plans for Forest + Ash, including offering appointments for design consultation and opening a second location. For now, they are happy their store is thriving and bringing joy to others. “One client comes in every week just to be in the shop,” says Drunsic. “She says being in Forest + Ash makes her happy. What more could you want?”
Forest + Ash
603-418-6284
forestandashshop.com
