JESSICA DAVIS OF ATELIER DAVIS, OUTSIDE OF HER ATLANTA HOME.

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We are thrilled to kick off 2023 with a deep dive into the creative mind of Jessica Davis, founder of Nest Studio and Atelier Davis. You'll discover her thoughts on the freshest approach to interiors this year including insight on color trends, the shape of design, and more.

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COLORFUL IMPACT

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Viva Magenta is Pantone's color of the year. What are your thoughts on this color trend in design? When designing with color, how can accessories, notably cabinet hardware, add contrast or unify a space?

I love this color! In fact, I just added magenta worktables to my office and a magenta outdoor table to my roof deck. While large colorful pieces of furniture or cabinetry may be too bold for some people, hardware, like pillows and other accessories, can provide a dash of color. Our hardware can be powder-coated, which means the sky is the limit for color options. Think of these colorful touches as the unique ingredients that spice up a dish. Moreover, investing in high-quality, luxury hardware makes it possible to re-refinish or strip the surface color when ready for a new look. 

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NEST STUDIO'S GEO COLORFUL COLLECTION.

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MATERIAL MATTERS

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Biophilic design is a big topic, and organic materials and shapes have emerged as 2023 trends. Many Nest Studio collections feature organic shapes. How are these collections incorporated into interiors in both big and small ways?

I tend to gravitate toward more machined and precise lines in the hardware I design, so organic materials and shapes are something I seek out when collaborating with designers and artisans. I love the contrast of something very structural with something highly organic. From a hardware functionality standpoint, these shapes are inherently easy on the eye and hand, and their amorphous nature translates well across interior styles.

I love organic hardware in interiors, juxtaposed against the rigid lines of simple modern cabinets and millwork. I also enjoy adding organic materials to a space, such as rattan, wicker, and screwpine wrapping, visible in our Lauhala collection, and pairing the unexpected, like a wicker chair and high-gloss lacquer table. Leather is also super-organic and patinas over time, adding depth and character to a home. A broken-in leather lounger softens over time, which is how I envisioned our Stitch hardware when I designed the collection with furniture maker and leather artisan Valeriy Khvan. 

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MAKE A STATEMENT WITH SCALE

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Nest Studio recently launched the Classic Mother, an oversized addition to the Classic collection. On the flip side, you have some funky smaller pieces in the Nest Studio collections, notably Tubular 01. What are some pointers for incorporating different scale items like this into a home? 

I love playing with hardware and scale to help cabinetry make a statement. The Classic Mother is the largest pull we have designed – and it is the mother of all pulls. Adding super-sized hardware creates drama and impact in a room. Similar to installing an extra-large mirror above a vanity, a significant pull can be super impactful.

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VANITY DESIGNED BY JESSICA DAVIS FOR THE KIPS BAY DALLAS SHOW HOUSE 2022 FEATURING NEST STUDIO'S TUBULAR COLLECTION.

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On the flip side, smaller-sized hardware can also make a statement in a room. On my master bathroom vanity, I used L-shape Tubular pulls to mimic the corners of the drawer fronts. Alternatively, the vanity I designed for the recent Kips Bay Dallas Show House played with scale with a series of smaller Tubular-01 knobs arranged in a row like buttons on a dress.

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CURATING CRAFTSMANSHIP

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The Nest Studio collaborations emphasize your commitment to hand-crafted, artisanal work. Why do you think people seek closer connections to makers when sourcing home décor, furnishings, textiles, tile, and hardware? Who are some of your favorite makers?

Today, it's possible to source anything from anywhere, but there are definitely similarities in the types of companies and artisans I support. They often share a commitment to quality, sustainability, and community and have inspiring stories. At Nest Studio, we love collaborating with more niche, and unexpected artisans which allows us to continually innovate in the hardware space. 

Furniture designer Hellman-Chang is an excellent example of a sustainable, artisan, and super-high-quality business. The company’s story is impressive and they are located in Georgia, local to my design studio, Atelier Davis. On the flip side, you can quickly discover amazing international craftsmen and artisans online. I love buying leather clogs directly from artisans in Sweden via Etsy and sourcing beautiful Indian quilts via Aloka.

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THE ALOKA HOME PINTEREST BOARD.

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TRADITION PREVAILS

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Styles come and go but Nest Studio's legacy collections, Classic, Facet, and Transparency, are consistent bestsellers. Why are people drawn to them? 

These collections are inspired by iconic styles of the past, from Art Deco to Hollywood Regency and they have a particular architectural nature and simplicity that make them timeless. You can put a Facet piece on a traditional cabinet or make it modern on a flat-front slab cabinet. They are super-versatile and span the gap between modern and traditional. 

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NEST STUDIO LEGACY COLLECTIONS: CLASSIC, FACET AND TRANSPARENCY.

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HARDWARE HAPPENINGS

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What is the forecast for hardware finishes and materials in 2023 and 3-5 years down the road? Debra Carter of Carter Hardware recently observed, "As a result of the move toward contemporary, we see more chrome, nickel, and even stainless requested. Unlacquered brass and polished nickel will be around forever, and it seems likely that chrome and steel looks are picking up." 

Debra is right on the money with this, which is not surprising because her Los Angeles design clients tend to be forward-thinking. People do not believe me when I say, satin brass is on the outs, while unlacquered brass is here to stay. Chrome is making a comeback. The nice thing about polished chrome and nickel is that, unlike brass tones, these materials are consistent color-wise, whereas there can be many tones of satin brass in plumbing and bath accessories. 

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2023 FINISHES FORECAST.

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Matte black and white hardware will remain popular. The modern finishes add a nice contrast, especially against wood cabinetry and furniture – and they easily match with plumbing hardware and accessories. More companies will offer black and white and more color options with the increased demand for customization. 

I see wood hardware becoming a bigger trend over the next few years. Designers are beginning to select hardware to match the wood of their cabinets, which is a beautiful tone-on-tone effect.

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THE BUSINESS OF LUXURY

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What makes Nest Studio so crucial in the landscape of luxury interiors as the market continues to bifurcate at the high and lower ends?

Nest Studio creates a luxury product that is also accessible. I love throwing on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt from the Gap, then dressing up my look with fine jewelry. I think of hardware in the same way. 

As the high and low ends continue to pull apart, Nest Studio is perfectly positioned allowing people to add luxury touches with hardware no matter what their budget. You get a little bit of luxury without having to fully commit. And, of course, Nest Studio hardware looks amazing on the finest of millwork and furnishings, just like Neil Lane Couture diamonds look great with a Versace dress.

Thanks Jessica Davis for sharing your insights and predictions with us. We look forward to an even more beautiful 2023! Have a prediction for 2023? Share them in the comments below.

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