Re-thinking the kitchen

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. It was a fun one for us - lots of family, lots of good meals and quality time. But I have to admit that I'm ready to get back to our routine and as with years past, I am so ready to take down the holiday decorations and get our house back to normal.  While spring and outside projects (painting! gardening!) are right around the corner, we still have a couple months of cold to trudge through. Aside from getting quotes on said outside projects, I am also focusing on a few interior projects over the next few months.  My big project is giving our kitchen a face lift.  If you follow me on social media you may have seen photos of my kitchen and thoughts on both cabinet paint color and hardware.  As a bit of a refresher, here is what the kitchen looked like before we moved in.

Here is what it looked like after we painted.

My main objective is to make the kitchen more useable and aesthetically interesting on a tight budget until I can do a larger scale renovation (including opening up the kitchen to the family room) 5-10 years down the line.  I have already added a farmhouse style island table that has made the kitchen way more useable.

Next steps are to paint the cabinets, replace the hardware, lighting and faucet and do a fun stencil on the floors.  Originally my thoughts veered in this direction.

But then I got sort of tired of the idea of white cabinets (which we had in our old house).  I had entertained a dark charcoal grey for the cabinets but realized that it was really competing with the black/brown speckled granite counters (not my favorites). Here is a photo of the test paint color and me testing some hardware options on a cabinet panel.

I then went back to the idea of white but still wasn't too happy with it.  That is when I came upon this concept image from Jenny Komenda.

I love the sage green. It feels modern yet classic. And I think the green counterbalances the red in the granite (sort of like how you use green concealer on a pimple).  I'm hoping it will make the counters appear more black than speckled brown.  I am going to do the uppers in white still and use some new hardware from my collection.  I also found these great barn lights that I think will spread the light out better toward the corners of the kitchen and plan to use a blackened metal finish on the hardware.

Its so funny - I went through so many iterations of kitchen cabinet colors and concepts but none of them feltquite right.  This one feels fresh and in keeping with the house.  It's nice to finally have a cohesive vistion. I can't wait to go paint shopping on Friday and get started on the project next week. Wish me luck!!!

10 Things I can't live without - Elizabeth Boland

Hi Everyone. So you've read about the 10 things I (Jess Davis) can't live without and most recently Jessica Burne shared her top 10 list. Well today we are learning more about another member of the Nest Studio team: Elizabeth Boland. Along with being my former next-door neighbor, Elizabeth is the quality and shipping/receiving maven at Nest Studio. While that couldn’t be farther from her degree in journalism and past professional life in publishing and consulting, it feeds her penchant for attention to detail, love of learning new things and delight in being involved with an industry that is new and fascinating to her. Another bonus is after hanging around with the folks at Nest Studio, it’s inspired her to actually paint, decorate and generally spiff up her own home. Elizabeth keeps the wheels turning on our incoming and outgoing inventory, heading up our quality control and making sure things are packaged as best as possible and shipped out in a timely way.  Take it away Elizabeth:

After really thinking about what I really couldn’t live without it kind of turned into a list of “things that have made my life so much better.”

Coffee - The top of the list is a large, quality, morning cup of coffee with a little bit of sugar and a little bit of milk. I’m the only coffee drinker in my house so I have an old Melitta single-cup drip maker that has gone on week-long vacations to destinations around the country. Why worry about what kind of coffee pot is at the rental or if the quality of the brew in the lobby is good?

Google Calendar - Second only to coffee is the use of Google Calendar. I used to kick-it with a paper date book to make sure I kept my life and eventually my family of five in some semblance of order. It’s probably the Virgo in me that now has family members color-coded and reminders being pinged to text and e-mail’s. It’s not a flawless system but I’ve only forgotten a child once during a random, half-day at school in almost 20 years!

Black Sharpie - I keep one in my handbag at all times and it is amazing to realize how many times it has come in handy. Labeling random items, hiding scuff marks on black high heels, handing it to a teacher in a clutch moment. They frequently get given away so I love getting a pack of them every year in my Christmas stocking!

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm - Another constant has been Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm. With a tube or two always within my reach, it’s the quickest way to make sure there is some sort of color on my lips while moisturizing in a more natural way.

Honda Odyssey - I hesitate to admit that my Honda Odyssey mini-van is also something I have come to rely on and love. We just bought our second after putting over 250,000 miles on the first Odyssey, mostly from vacations up and down the East coast and as far West as the Mississippi River. My van has carried building supplies, mattresses, furniture, people, yard waste, more people, sports equipment, suitcases, vacation accoutrement and most recently everything to equip a freshman college dorm!

VRBO - With five people in our family and the travel industry geared mostly for four, I was also an early adopter of VRBO. Our first entree was a gamble as we traveled 1,300 miles away with three young children but we were hooked when our economical rental turned out to be a beautiful house with a pool.  Since then, we have stayed in everything from camping cabins to palatial homes all over the continental US and Hawaii and only had one clunker along the way.

Haagen Dazs Ice Cream - One food item I really love is Haagen Dazs ice cream. I have lived within walking distance to one of their shops for almost 20 years and now it’s like the old sitcom about the bar “Cheers” (where everyone knows your name) when we walk in. I try whatever new flavors come along but my old favorites usually win out.

Nerium Night Cream - A fabulous discovery I made a couple years ago was Nerium Night Cream. I was highly skeptical about all those miracle products that promised to make my face look smoother and younger. After a friend discovered Nerium and I saw dramatic improvement in real time, I was convinced. Those multi-step skin systems get old fast. This one-step, after you clean your face for the evening product really works!

Dansko Footwear - As much as I still love to get into a pair of rockin’ high heels (currently a fave pair of suede platform heels) slipping into a pair of Dansko clogs or sandals feels like going home to me. I played it boring with basic black early on but now love to wear some of the great prints and iridescent colors. Pairing them with a fun pair of socks peeking out for the cool weather and then catching a glimpse of the combo during the day can remind me to enjoy little pleasures.

Trish McEvoy Dramatic Lash Mascara - Last but not least is Trish McEvoy Dramatic Lash Mascara in black. After many years of trying different mascaras both high and low end, I kind of fell in love after the first use. All I’m ever looking for is a mascara to go on quick, smooth and easy, stay put for however long I need it to and then come off as easily as it went on. This magic tube does it all!

That's a wrap folks! Stay tuned for our newest team member, Sharon's top 10!

Week 4: The One Room Challenge, Lucy's Room

Hi Everyone! We are at Week 4 of the One Room Challenge. Yikes! That means one more week of progress and the big reveal on November 10.  Still so much to do, but we are getting there. I've been really enjoying doing this as well as following along with everyone else's rooms.  So much inspiration! I can't wait to do a round up at the end of my favorite rooms, so stay tuned.  And if I haven't found you yet and you are a fellow participant, leave me a comment and I will hop on over and check out your room. As a reminder, here is Lucy's room's design board:

Last week was all about paint. This week we've made a lot of headway.  We hung the mirror from Zuo Modern (how great does it look with our Barbara Cosgrove Lamp?!)

We also hung the Photos.com Slim Aarons print.

Apologies on the horrible photography. This is what happens when you pop in between naps and before bedtime to photograph. Here is a zoomed out view.

AND..... Lucy's loveseat is back and looking fabulous.  Here is what it looked like before in all it's 80's glory.

And here is the after reupholstered in a durable Crypton chenille and a rust colored linen piping. Love love love how it turned out.

I picked up some throw pillows at World Market and Anthropologie as well.  Not sure of the final configuration but here are two options. Which do you prefer?

Option 1

or Option 2

And I installed my faceted brass knobs (F-02-SB) on this mirrored nightstand that I found on Craigslist. I think it really ups the ante on the look.

Can't wait to get drapery up next week and get our bed delivered!

10 Things I can't live without - Jessica Burne Davis

Hi Everyone!  Some of you may have read my 10 Things I can' live without post.  Well, I thought it was a fun exercise and I thought it would be a great way to introduce you to my team and make them think about what fuels their fires.  First off is Jessica Burne Davis who I introduced a while back. Yes, you heard me right. We have the same last name.  Jessica A and Jessica B Davis - I could tell you all kinds of funny stories about this. But more on that later. Jess B is my right hand woman.  Here is her top 10 list:

Black Goody Hair Tie  - Since the age of 5 my hairstyle vacillates between being long and slightly less long. Yet I can’t go more than a few hours with my hair down. I buy these hair ties in bulk and have them everywhere in case a hair emergency strikes.  More often than not you’ll find me in a ponytail or bun.

Neostrata Bionic Face Serum - I am cursed with dry, oily and sensitive skin. This serum is a miracle. I apply it before bed and when I wake up my skin is smooth and flawless. It’s magic in bottle. Too bad it can’t take off those 10 pounds I would like to lose!

Keurig - Waking up in the morning for me is torture. I’m so envious of my bright-eyed non-coffee drinking husband. Since I am the only one who needs a caffeine jolt, my Keurig is a lifesaver.  I can brew 1 or 2 cups (ok – sometimes 3) in the morning without waiting for a huge carafe to fill.  I do feel badly about the environmental waste of the K-Cups, but I’m not ready to sacrifice the convenience.

Mac Eyebrow Pencil - My relationship with my eyebrows is complicated.  Let me preface by saying that I’ve always loved my dark strong brows.  Due to my sensitive skin, waxing makes me red and raw. So, I’ve been doing my own shaping for years. I even survived the 90s without over plucking.  But the left is high and the right is low. One is spiky and the other arched.  I discovered the Mac eyebrow pencil a few years ago when I went to Kelly Shultz of Julu Beauty. She’s an amazing local esthetician who taught me to use makeup to add definition and shape without overusing the tweezers.

White Cotton Bath Towels - My dream would be to have weekly spa appointments on my calendar.  Unfortunately, with my hectic schedule and tight wallet, this is an impossibility. So I pamper myself however I can. My morning routine is more indulgent using spa quality towels. My favorite brand right now is the Hudson Park collection from Bloomingdale's. They are super luxurious for the price.

Sunglasses - Sunglasses are accessories that I can't live without. Even on a cloudy day they are always within close reach. Most of the time, sunglasses will be either on my face or pushed up to keep my hair back. While I love the aviator look, I find the frame gets tangled in my ponytail.  Right now I love this retro cat-eye from Tory Burch.

Statement Earrings - I’ve discovered fun jewelry later in life.  When I was little I remember making fun of my mom when she wore statement necklaces.  Now the joke is on me because I can’t leave the house without wearing something bold. My latest obsession is gold dangly earrings.  They transform my black yoga pants and jean jacket into a stylish put-together outfit.

Microsoft Excel - I have to admit I’m a huge Microsoft Excel geek. There's nothing that a good spreadsheet can't fix. Pivot tables, vlookups and macros become my personal challenges. I'd like to say my nerdy tendencies are just limited to work but actually that’s not true. I use spreadsheets for birthday parties, menus and recipes, and if I go far enough back in time I can probably find the study guides I used in college.

Kindle E-Reader - I am a voracious reader and never thought the day would come when I preferred an e-reader over an actual book. Since most of the classics are free in digital form, I’ve rediscovered gems that I either never read or didn’t appreciate in high school.  Somehow it’s easier to tackle a 1,000 page tome without having to hold it in your hand.  On the flipside, I can discreetly devour the Twilight Series without any nosey passerby glancing at a trashy book cover.

Target - What can I say about the magical place I call, in a chic French accent, Tar-jay? This store fits every one of my needs.  A quick trip for milk and eggs ends with a hammered brass bowl in my checkout cart. Or I’ll go looking for clothes for my daughters and come home with a new shade of nail polish. Regardless of my shopping list, I’ll come home from Target with things I never knew I needed but that I am so happy to have.

Thanks Jess B! It was so fun to read this list. Several of these items (sunglasses! Target!) are high on my list too. Can't wait to see what the rest of the team comes up with.

Nest Studio Showhouse Features

Hi all!  A couple weeks ago we did a little recap of Nest Studio in the press. 2016 is also proving to be a year of showhouses galore for our hardware line!  We've done several of them and really had a great reaction from the design community.  Showhouses are such a great way to increase brand awareness and work with top tier designers. Here is a little recap.

First was the Christopher Kennedy Compound at Palm Springs Modernism Week.

Justin Shaulis used our Classic 01 pull in the Powder Room

Denise McGaha used our Transparencies 02 knob in the laundry room (and let's talk about how fabulous that Fromental wallcovering is)

The lovely ladies of Trellis Home used our Classic 03 drop pulls in the kids' bath. They pair perfectly with the beautiful acrylic mirror.

And finally Kelli Ellis featured our F-01 Long pull in the Master Bath.

More recently Lisa Mende used our Facets series knobs and pulls in the guest house kitchenette at the Southern Style Now showhouse.  Love how eclectic yet classic this kitchen feels. Black cabinets are always a win.

The lovely Meg Braff used our Facets series in several places throughout the Coastal Living showhouse in the Hamptons. And it was a real treat to go see the house in person.

And last but certainly not least, the Pink Clutch blogger Paige Minear used our new Reveal Series pulls in satin brass on the beautiful makeover of her living room for the House Beautiful sponsored One Room Challenge.

Lots going on over here at the Nest. Keep checking in to see what else we've been up to.

Nest Studio in the Press

It's been a while since I posted about Press Mentions. Over the past few months we've been very lucky to have had a number of mentions. Aside from the Apartment Therapy book that came out that featured our previous house, we were also featured in Elle Decor, Consumers Reports and HGTV Magazine.

Our Classic Series in Elle Decor

Our Faceted Knob in Consumer's Reports

Our Faceted ring pull on the front of HGTV Magazine.

It's been an exciting first half of the year.  We can't wait to show you more press mentions as the year progresses!

Modernism Week Showhouse Feature

I mentioned in my New Years Business Resolutions post that I wanted to focus on marketing and PR. Well our lovely publicists at Fashion + Decor took that to heart and hit the ground running in 2016.  Our hardware was featured prominently in three rooms in the Christopher Kennedy Compound Designer Showhouse for Modernism Week in Palm Springs.  More beauty shots to come but here are a few from my instagram feed.

Laundry Room with our T-02 knob by Denis McGaha Interiors

Powder room with our Classic 01 pull by Justin Shaulis

Teen bathroom with our C-03 drop pull by Trellis Home

New Years Business Resolutions 2016

Every year sometime close to the new year I write two posts. One is a personal resolutions post and one is a business resolution post. I like doing this exercise because it makes me focus on what my goals really are and it forces me to check in to see if I have achieved them.  So let's see where we are now that a year has passed. Last years goals included doubling my 2014 sales figures, focusing on marketing, launching two new lines of hardware and getting a major licensing deal.  Pretty ambitious.  I didn't quite hit the 2x mark but I definitely was able to increase my sales.  As far as marketing goes, I think I did a pretty good job here. Along with doing postcards, working on my social media presence and sending out press kits, I was able to get into Elle Decor, Consumers Reports, and on the front of HGTV magazine.  It was a great year from a PR standpoint.   Sadly, I didn't launch two new lines as hoped, but I am confident that in 2016 I will do so.  And I didn't start any licensing deals but maybe that should be a more long term goal as I expand my line.  One thing I have learned is to make my goals a bit more realistic!  So here goes for 2016:

- Launch two new lines of hardware. I have the Reveal Series prototyped and ready to go, so this should be out shortly. I can't wait to introduce it to everyone, plus the price point is a little more palatable.  There are a couple others in the works as well that I am confident should be in production by years end. The thing I have learned is that launching new product is a long road. Prototyping takes forever and designing and testing never end up being a priority over the day-to-day either for me or for the manufacturers I work with. In other words once I'm ready to finally get something under way, it takes a while for the rest of the cogs to start turning as well. Definitely important to keep up the momentum and to have several lines in the works just to see what sticks.

- Focus on marketing and PR.  This year I want to send out more press kits and get more press mentions both in traditional print publications as well as online.  I also have one big thing that I am doing and that will be to bring on a publicist / agent.  I am working with Gretchen Aubuchon at Fashion + Decor who is an old friend and serious mover and shaker in the industry. Unlike someone who just does PR, Gretchen is more like an agent. She will be out there trying to push Nest Studio and Jessica Davis as a brand. I can handle the press releases myself, but hopefully with the help of Gretchen's team, I will get more press mentions, speaking engagements, showhouse partnerships and overall brand exposure to help grow Nest Studio.

- Up my Social Media Presence. I've been working on this more this past year, but in 2016 I am trying to actually come up with a social media strategy and figure out the best way to showcase both my hardware line and my personal aesthetic via Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.  Some people may ask why I'm not doing the others (Twitter, Vine, Snapchat etc). After talking to a number of social media experts (such as my husband), it seems best to really focus on the core social media that drives my industry and to do all of those well versus do them all in a mediocre way. I'm still learning but I'm already increasing my followers and making meaningful connections that are very exciting.

- Increase my sales by 50%.  I realize that doubling sales was a bit of a reach last year.  That said, I think with the help of increased marketing, social media, and by launching more lines and therefore having more product to offer, a 50% increase is both more realistic and a good attainable goal.

Well, that's it.  I really should print out this post and put it up on the wall to check in from time to time.  Stay tuned for my personal goals for 2016. What sort of business ideas and goals do you have slated for the new year?

HARDWARE INSTALLED: Kowloon Tong Project

We've had a couple of great installs of our hardware overseas over the past few months and we are excited to show them to you. It's fun to see all the different styles that are being implemented around the globe.  Louie Shum of House of Beast in Hong Kong sent us these install shots of our F-01L, T-01L, and T-03 in satin brass that he used in a super luxurious bathroom in Kowloon Tong.  Asia really does it right when it comes to super custom modern design!   For those of you who may not know, I actually grew up in Hong Kong so it's especially exciting for me to see installs in my home town.  Can't wait to see what Louie comes up with next.  Thanks for sharing!

FREE SHIPPING FOR THE MONTH OF MAY!

Hop on over to our shop and enter code FREESHIP to receive free shipping on your hardware orders for the month of May!

- graphic by Cori Magee