Life & Work with Kim Spear of Watchet Lane

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Spear.

Hi Kim, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in England, where design isn’t just visual, it’s emotional. Gardens are generations deep, houses are full of inherited character, and spaces feel like they have lived many lives, so that sense of stories and history is part of me. But travelling to Provence is where it all began. From my first visit as a teenager to many trips over the years, my honeymoon included, it captured my heart. I found myself completely at home wandering brocantes and estate sales, dreaming of bringing all of these soulful pieces to life again.
For years, my close friend Kate and I dreamed of opening a boutique; something creative, layered, full of charm. We didn’t know exactly what it would be, home decor, fashion, a blend of both, but we knew we wanted to build a space where people could gather, shop, and feel something real. My husband Steve has always shared that vision; he fell in love with Provence just as deeply and is, without question, the soul of our hospitality.
In 2021, we met Roy Altaras, a landscape designer born in Marseille, France. When I handed him a vision board for our back garden remodel and told him I didn’t want it to look like Provence, but feel like it, he understood instantly. What followed was more than a backyard renovation. It became a Provençal-inspired garden oasis, filled with Mediterranean stone and plants, we had fun finding vintage objects with stories, antique oil vessels, and the result was a collaboration that lead to long wine-filled afternoons; the kind of beauty that only comes from shared stories.
That’s when the idea came to life: What if this space was our showroom?
From there, Watchet Lane was born. Named for the street I grew up on in the UK (where my dad still lives), it’s a reflection of the places, people, and pieces that have shaped me. But it’s not just my vision. It’s a shared dream, one that’s been made brighter and better by the incredible people I’ve built it with: Kate, with her impeccable eye for blending history and modernity; Steve, who brings warmth and community to everything he touches; and Gus, our English Cream Golden Retriever, who joined us just as Watchet Lane came to life. He’s now a main character in our story, and fittingly, in our logo.
We believe in creating spaces that feel storied, soulful, and lived-in. Watchet Lane isn’t just a home decor brand. It’s a space where memories begin.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any meaningful venture, it’s been far from smooth, but every bump has made it better.
I’ve managed businesses before, but stepping into ownership, being the one setting the vision and holding the torch, is a whole different experience. It takes discipline, clarity, and grit. There are days when doubt creeps in, and you wonder if you’re doing it right. On those days, I lean on the people I trust: Steve, Kate, our families and our close community, and they bring me back to center.
We’ve faced logistical challenges too. Sourcing antiques overseas, especially post-pandemic, has been a constant dance with shipping delays, customs, and risk. We’ve had to learn how to balance our creative intuition with real-world operations, financials, inventory, client needs, and still stay inspired.
But what’s kept us going is we know the value of what we’re offering, and we’ve seen the joy it brings people. Every challenge has shaped the story and made the brand richer for it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Watchet Lane, we source vintage and antique pieces from across Europe and beyond, and offer them to designers, architects, and homeowners looking to create layered, soulful spaces. Our style blends old-world elegance with approachable warmth. We curate pieces that can settle into any aesthetic and feel like they’ve always belonged.
We specialize in objects that tell stories: 19th-century olive oil vessels, rustic farm tables, historic and handmade pieces that carry history and artistry in their bones. We work a lot with the trade, but also sell directly to the public, and host events like our upcoming Shop & Sip to bring people into our world.
What I’m most proud of is how our work resonates across design styles. One of my favorite recent moments was working with an exceptional designer, Natalia Kokhan who runs Story for Home. Natalia was completing a glamorous, contemporary restaurant. She needed pieces that could ground the space in the European roots of the cuisine and bring some warmth to the space. She walked into our showroom with the restaurant manager and immediately connected with what she saw. She ended up using our giant antique pithari pots and several olive oil vessels to complete the space. When it was all styled, it was a true wow moment, and the start of a trusting creative relationship. That’s what we live for.
What sets us apart is the atmosphere we create. It’s not just about décor, it’s about feeling. We’re not here to just sell antiques. We’re here to help you build a home that feels storied and alive.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
So many people have shaped this journey and this brand wouldn’t exist without them.
First, Kate and Steve. They’re more than co-founders, they’re co-dreamers, co-doers, and the soul of this business alongside me. Kate brings an eye for timelessness and meaning and a background in product marketing and buying. Steve brings years of operational experience and creative vision as well as the warmth and community that keeps us grounded. I guide the vision, but it’s their love and talent that make it brighter than I could have imagined.
Roy and Orly Altaras, friends, collaborators, and kindred spirits, have been a huge part of our journey from the beginning. Roy helped bring my vision to life in our garden, and both he and Orly have supported us in ways far beyond design.
Our families and close friends have shown up with open hearts and strong arms, literally lifting furniture, building displays, and cheering us on every step of the way.
And finally, the creative community at Lindero Oaks, where our showroom lives. The designers entrepreneurs and artists there have been nothing but encouraging, generous, and inspiring. Being part of that circle has been a gift.
And of course, there’s Gus. Our English Cream Golden Retriever, and the heart of the brand. He’s not just in our logo, he’s part of our rhythm, our joy, and the energy behind what we do. His playfulness and openness to connection are exactly what we hope people feel when they step into Watchet Lane.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.watchetlane.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchetlane/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watchetlane