Our Story

I'm Nagmeh Phelan, Founder and Creative Director of Somerset General, and I've been a collector for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are of wandering through estate sales and auctions with my parents, searching for treasures and discovering the beauty in things that others might overlook.

Creativity has always been at the centre of my life. I've worked in film and spent the last decade in advertising as a strategist helping shape ideas, tell stories and build brands. Now it's time to create something of my own. Somerset General is where my love of design, storytelling and collecting finally come together.

I started Somerset General in 2020 with a simple belief: beauty, good design and well-crafted objects are things we should all get to enjoy - not a select few. 

I've always loved the idea of collecting slowly, finding pieces over time that tell stories, mean something, and have the power to change the entire spirit of a room. I love that objects pass from hand to hand, living different lives with different people, collecting stories along the way. In a world filled with so much beauty, artistry and imagination, why surround ourselves with the ordinary?

Somerset General is a collection of things I love, old and occasionally unexpected, chosen for their character, craftsmanship and ability to make everyday life a little more interesting.

My dream is to one day open a little brick-and-mortar shop in Toronto. Until then, every purchase helps build something bigger than a store. It supports a community of collectors, makers, dealers and small businesses, and keeps beautiful things circulating and finding new homes.

Thank you for being part of it. I can't wait to see where this goes. 💙