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This is the first in a series of conversations with special guests on hardware, homes, and the holidays. We had the special honor of speaking with David Dunn, partner and director of design, at PS212Home in Palm Springs, California. 

In 2017, David Dunn began a seven-month, top-to-bottom renovation of a mid-1960s condo he purchased in a Palm Springs gated community. The architect and designer had a two-prong mission – create a home he loves and a showcase for the work of his firm, PS212Home. 

“I pushed myself to be bolder and have a little more fun than I’ve had in the past because we do invite people to see what we did here,” Dunn said. “All of the work is modern. One of the things we try not to be is cliché mid-century, which you see a lot in Palm Springs.”

One of his major changes was to open up the kitchen to the main living area, providing ample natural light and views of the beautiful mountains and the Palm Springs desert landscape. The mid-century modern home sits on the fifth fairway of the community’s golf course at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains.

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Kitchen Featuring Nest Studio’s Mod collection. 

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“It’s really a personal decision. Some people I meet prefer to keep their kitchen closed, but I prefer an open floor plan to have a better flow of people and conversation,” Dunn said. 

One of the hallmarks of the transformed home is its bold use of color, such as its yellow range and hood positioned between warm charcoal grey cabinets in its kitchen; and the primary bathroom’s floral wallpaper, blue vanity and wall tiles. Additional transformations include the conversion of an unused second bedroom to a workable den surrounded by bookshelves, much needed bathroom updates, and, of course, the incorporation of Nest Studio hardware throughout. We asked Dunn to tell us more about his design and hardware choices.

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How did your relationship with Nest Studio begin and what drew you to our hardware? 

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I was first introduced to Nest Studio at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) about five years ago. Nest Studio impressed me and made the quality product we want in our showroom. You can tell just by seeing and feeling the pieces how different the collections are from anything else out there. I like the fact that Nest Studio is also a small, independent brand, and it’s clear from looking at the product that innovative design and quality manufacturing are Nest Studio’s highest priorities. 

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Can you walk us through your creative process and what your clients experience? 

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I truly enjoy working as a partner and collaborator with my clients because ultimately, it’s their space. My expertise in design hopefully leads them in the right direction. Our business, PS212Home, specializes in kitchens and baths so most of our projects focus on these areas. I enjoy designing these spaces - highly trafficked spaces that can be both beautiful and functional. 

I work in tandem with clients until we are both happy with the final design. It really is a collaboration with my clients because, ultimately, it’s their home and I want to give them what they want, make it the best in terms of design, and lead them in the right direction.

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Your kitchen and niche areas feature Nest Studio’s Mod and Organic hardware. Why were these collections stylistic fits for these spaces and what do you love most about the hardware you chose?

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I chose Mod for the kitchen because I love the simple geometry of the design, and Organic for the opposite reason – they are very cool and different shapes that work beautifully together. Mod is more aligned with the architectural heritage of the house and Organic is a nod to the beauty of the desert surroundings.

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Kitchen Featuring Nest Studio’s Mod and Organic collections. 

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You also used Facet in your home. Can you tell us about that choice and how the hardware is used?

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I used Facet on the closets throughout the house. One of the features of our home is that we have floor to ceiling closet doors - 8 feet tall! Instead of doorknobs, I used the larger Facet pulls with an escutcheon plate on all of those. I think the oversized Facet-02L pulls in polished chrome were the perfect scale and presence for these tall doors. 

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Closet doors featuring Nest Studio’s Facet collection.

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In the primary bathroom, I used the smaller Facet-02 in pulls polished chrome for the cabinetry. Make no mistake, I'm not a golfer - I'm here for the architecture - however there is a cheeky little nod to the game with the golf ball like design of these knobs.

I also love showing Facet to clients in the showroom. Clients can immediately appreciate the quality of Nest pieces - they're quite heavy, made of solid brass, and you can really feel the difference when holding them for yourself. 

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Bathroom Featuring Nest Studio’s Facet collection. 

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The holidays are upon us. How will you be celebrating? 

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We’re hosting Thanksgiving here. We’re probably going to have 15 or 16 people, mostly family and friends. I love Thanksgiving and I love to cook for it. It’s a lot of work but always a lot of fun. 

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Have a favorite holiday tradition?

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When I lived on the East Coast, we had a “friends Thanksgiving” the Sunday before Thanksgiving with the same people each year. That was a great tradition that we maintained for many years, but once I moved out to California and people sort of spread out that has stopped. With that same group of people we used to have a caroling tradition too, the Sunday before Christmas. When I used to live in Hoboken, NJ, we did this every year for 15 years or so. Now it’s just about making sure that you’re spending time with family and friends who are important to you.

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When you entertain, where do your guests gather?

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No surprise, people tend to gather in the kitchen, since it's an open floor plan. I have a bar-height counter and people hang out there or enjoy the festivities from the adjacent living room.

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Dunn's Pick, a Bourbon Manhattan Cocktail, just in time for holiday entertaining. Recipe available on our Instagram.

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Name a cocktail you’ll be serving or enjoying over the holidays?

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A Manhattan is the perfect holiday cocktail. I like bourbon Manhattans the best – I usually use Maker’s Mark and a little bitters.

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Egg nog, yay or nay?

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Personally, I’m anti-egg nog. 

Whether you’re hosting at home or traveling, Nest Studio wishes you a holiday season full of happy times with loved ones, delectable dishes and delicious drinks.