Debra Carter, The Showroom Manager at Carter Hardware.

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The following is the latest in a monthly series of spotlights on Nest Studio’s showroom partners. In this edition, we meet Debra Carter, showroom manager at Carter Hardware in Beverly Hills, California. The decorative hardware and plumbing showroom is owned and operated by a family that has been involved in the industry for several generations.

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How did your relationship with Nest Studio begin? What/why were you inspired to become a partner?

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Nest Studio's founder Jessica Davis once worked at a design firm that was a customer of ours. When she started thinking of going into business, she reached out to our owner, Tony Carter, for advice on quality manufacturing partners. We have a longstanding relationship that has grown over the years and have been thrilled to be a part of Nest Studio's success. 

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An assortment of Nest Studio Collection Hardware.

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Nest Studio celebrated 10 years in business this year. When you think of how the company has innovated over the years, what do you anticipate from them over the next 10? 

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Over the next 10 years, I hope to see the innovation continue. Nest Studio has always been a leader in bringing something new to the table for the hardware category. They have been and will continue to be a trendsetter in luxury hardware.  

Share how Carter’s depth of employee experience and knowledge may influence its hardware selections?

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My family, the Carters, got started in hardware stores in Russia over a century ago. When my grandfather’s family migrated to the U.S., there was a store in Los Angeles called Acme Hardware that was one of the first decorative hardware showrooms in the country. They had high-end plumbing and door hardware, and my grandfather made a lot of their pieces.  

We have an extensive history in the industry. I’ve been here 25 years. My brother Tony, who’s the owner, worked in several places before deciding to open his own business. Our family has over 180 years of combined history in the hardware business. 

What I pride myself on, and I know my associates do as well, is that we listen to what the clients are saying. We can point them in the direction we think they should go. 

This is why coming to a showroom is important - clients can touch and feel the hardware and really see the difference in quality.  

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How are the Nest Studio collections displayed in your showroom? How is the showroom laid out overall?

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At Carter Hardware, we merchandise hardware together by style - it's an easy way for clients to decide an overall direction, before getting into the specific pieces. For Nest Studio, we have a robust assortment of their collections, their legacy series: Classic, Facet and Transparency along with Deco and more.

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A closer look at the vast offerings of Carter Hardware Showroom in Beverly Hills, California.

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What is your showroom’s point of difference for your clients? Why visit Carter Hardware?

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We can tell people that our employees have extensive experience in the industry, and that's what the new customer grabs on to. For existing ones, it depends on what they’re looking for, but I think it would be how we’ve laid out the showroom a little easier for people. We hope that all of that plus our experience, kindness and service are what keeps a client returning. 

We also have one of the largest cabinet hardware selection displays on the planet and people tell us that all the time.

What have been your most popular / best-selling Nest Studio collections? Why do you think they do very well?

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Classic is number one. I have a group of designers that solely use Nest Studio, and the Classic, Deco, Pinch and Transparency collections are the perennial favorites. 

Please share your favorite Nest Studio collection(s)?

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Classic. I tend to prefer a more traditional design aesthetic and the Classic collection is timeless and can be used in a variety of interior spaces.

Nest Studio Collection's Classic Collection.

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Where do you see kitchen and bath hardware design heading stylistically in 2023? Finishes? Materials?  

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I think we’re going to see more contemporary modern. I have been working here for 25 years and 90 percent of our clients are traditional and then I have a few designers who are very contemporary. But I see the trend moving toward a more clean, minimal kind of contemporary.

As a result of this move toward contemporary, we are seeing more chrome, nickel and even stainless being requested.

Also, unlacquered brass has always been a big seller for us even though in the design trade, it comes and goes. Unlacquered brass and polished nickel will be around forever, and it seems likely that the chrome and steel looks are picking up.

What’s one design trend you wish would disappear?

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Literal 1980's inspiration. There's no denying that design is cyclical, but it should always have a new spin when it comes back to the forefront.

We hope you enjoyed this month’s Studio Spotlight on Carter Hardware. Nest Studio is thankful for the valued partnerships that have helped us to get where we are today. 

If you would like to be considered for an upcoming Showroom Spotlight, please contact Lauren Bristow at marketing@neststudiocollection.com.