Every Friday, we’ll be shining a spotlight on an inspiring small business from across the Enterprise Nation community to celebrate their personal stories, passion, and resilience. ✨
We’re kicking things off with Abbie Downey, founder of Feather&Fossil. A boutique maximalist interior design studio based in Plymouth, created to celebrate individuality through bold, expressive, and deeply personal spaces.
Discover Abbie’s founder story and take a look at some of her projects below. Don’t forget to leave some love in the comments. 👇🤗
Why did you start Feather&Fossil?
Feather&Fossil grew out of a shift in direction for me after renovating my own home and working on a project within the NHS alongside an architectural team.
Although I’ve always been both academic and artistic, I initially followed a more conventional path, completing a BSc and MSc in science-related fields and going on to work in universities, project management, community engagement, and public health.
Over time, I found myself missing a creative outlet, and the renovation work I was doing made me realise how much I’d been drawn back to design. I decided to retrain in interior design, combining my experience in project and people management with my creative side.
I also felt strongly about building something of my own- I’m very much an “all in” person, and I wanted the freedom to fully invest that energy into my work in a way I didn’t feel was reflected in my previous roles.
How would you describe Feather&Fossil’s brand ethos?
The ethos is rooted in the belief that interiors should feel lived-in, layered, and reflective of the people who inhabit them- not stripped back or overly uniform.
For me, maximalism is thoughtful abundance rather than excess- combining colour, pattern, texture, and curated pieces in a way that feels intentional and cohesive.
At its core, Feather&Fossil is about helping people create homes that feel like an extension of who they are- full of personality, story, and individuality.
What does a typical day look like running your small business?
As a working mum and self-employed creative, no two days look the same- I’m constantly juggling client design work, site visits, networking, admin and finances, and social media and marketing, alongside the school run and everything that comes with family life.
I’m also renovating my own home, which means I’m always learning new DIY skills along the way.
It’s busy and varied, but I thrive in that mix- it keeps everything dynamic and very real to how I work.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to other founders?
One piece of advice I’d give is to build your business around how you actually live, not how you think it should look.
For me, that means embracing the reality of being a working mum, running a business, and renovating at the same time- rather than trying to fit into a more traditional idea of what a business “should” be. I’m lucky to live by the coast and countryside, so I’m able to take time out during the day to get outside and work in the evenings without the guilt of not being “at the desk” 9–5- something I definitely fell into the trap of when I first started.
I’d also say, from a design perspective, not to dilute your style to make it more palatable. The more you try to appeal to everyone, the more you lose what makes your work distinctive in the first place.
The things that feel most natural to you- your style, your pace, the way you work- are usually the things that set you apart.
