Talk Shop: Jessica Davis // Nest Studio & Atelier Davis
Photo by Aaron Grant Photography
ABOUT JESSICA
Jessica Davis is the founder of Atelier Davis, and founder and creative director of the innovative hardware brand Nest Studio. With an Art History degree from Princeton University and a Master’s in Interior Design from The New England School of Art and Design, Jessica offers a creative vision that spans across interiors and product with influences found in historic and contemporary art and architecture. Jessica’s Chinese-American heritage, multitude of travels, and years living in Asia, Australia and the United States influence her design process, as she aims to devise spaces that tell a story about their inhabitants and the way they live. Prior to founding her own businesses, Jessica worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, for the TV show Bob Vila’s Home Again and then spent close to 10 years on Wilson Associates’ New York and LA teams where she designed many international hotel and resort projects. Jessica is also a founding member of the AAPI Design Alliance.
Photo by Emily Followill
Describe your style in three words or less:
Thoughtful, playful and collected
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Travel, Fine art, and my parent’s collection of modern and antique furniture and art
How did you start your company, and what is your favorite thing about what you do:
As an interior designer at a large firm, I saw a need in the marketplace for interesting hardware and decided to give it a whirl. My interiors business spun off from there. I love that I came at my own business from a product side. Usually people come at it the other way around, so it gives me a unique perspective.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
Margaret McMahon and Jerry Beale at Wilson Associates. They both taught me a lot about hard work. Margaret taught me so much about client communication and presentation and Jerry really helped me hone my understanding of architectural detail.
What does your home say about you:
It says that I’m not afraid of color or of mixing styles and that I like to have fun. It also says that I live in it every day - because it is far from pristine!
Where do you find inspiration:
Everywhere from the usual places like social media to things I see at the hardware store.
Photo by Emily Followill
Who are your style icons:
Honestly, I am drawing a blank. So many people inspire me in different ways.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
A good playlist (this is my husband’s job), layered lighting, good drinks and cheese!
Do you collect anything:
I have collected vintage Chinese snuff bottles ever since I was a teenager. The first one I got was when I was a kid.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@nytcooking, @Workstead, @textile.mixologist
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Always hang art with the center at eye level. It’s a good rule of thumb but art in unexpected places like propped on the floor or even up on the ceiling can be so fun too!
What are you working on right now:
I’m doing a new home in Atlanta, a lake house, a pilates studio, a restaurant and a renovation in the Bay area to name a few.
Wardrobe staples:
A crisp white button-down, high-rise jeans, and crazy colorful sneakers
Photo by David Duncan Livingston
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
This is like asking a cat lady which is her favorite cat!
Best interior advice you ever received:
Draw everything first - mock it up life size! Better that than it ending up wrong in the final product.
Best career advice you ever received:
Don’t undervalue yourself.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in art, upholstery, kitchen appliances and hardware (of course). Save on kids furniture, accessories (vintage all the way!), towels (no matter the quality, I feel like they get dingy after a year).
Your greatest extravagance:
Fancy perfume
Photo by David Duncan Livingston
Favorite places to shop for home:
CB2 - they are killing it right now. I also love shopping vintage and designer on 1stdibs. And, always Etsy - for vintage textiles, rugs, ceramics etc.
Most prized possession and why:
My house - it’s an expression of who I am and everything I’ve worked for.
Your interiors motto:
Find your own style and don’t be afraid to evolve
Your life motto:
Have fun, be creative, and explore the world
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Keep looking at spaces and figuring out what it is you do and don’t like about them. It’s just as important to figure out what isn’t your vibe as it is to figure out what is.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Any kind of spicy szechuan food
Drink: Extra dirty Tito's martini
Film: Greencard - for her apartment and garden
Hotel: Ones I’ve been to or ones I would like to go to? I love a good motel-turned boutique hotel.
City: Brooklyn
Bedding: My super old worn-in Casper percale sheets
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee in the morning (with almond milk and stevia). Herbal Tea at night
Playlist: Pink Martini
Weekend Activity: Plant shopping
Design Book: Commune - Designed in California