Jessica Davis’s deco-inspired selection of embroidered fabrics, wood hardware and glass blocks

Nov 05, 2024

In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.

Jessica Davis knows that sophistication can be fun—especially when it’s influenced by Miami. To create a scheme that balances intrigue with whimsy, the founder of design studio Atelier Davis and hardware brand Nest Studio, where she’s also creative director, drew inspiration from the city’s oceanside landscape and art deco architecture. “I was inspired by the pattern play found in Streamline Moderne buildings and the nautical motifs from the heyday of steamships,” she says.

In a city where it’s always summer, Davis finds escape from the heat in grounding browns and moody blues. “Moody, but still interesting,” she adds. “I used some inky tones that remind me of the turbulent ocean.”

To lighten the mood, she mixed in a handful of naval-style pieces, including ropelike cord and porthole-punctuated hardware. “I loved echoing that circular motif in the embroidered fabric and printed wallpaper,” she explains. Here, Davis describes each of her choices, from dark and stormy marble to woven wood shades.

1. TEMARI FABRIC IN 01 BY ZAK+FOX“I love this embroidered fabric! It has a Japanese feel, and the colors are subtle but also poppy and provocative.”

2. TOWNSEND HARBOR BROWN PAINT BY BENJAMIN MOORE“I am super into browns right now. Complex browns with purple or red undertones, like this burgundy-infused paint, are awesome.”

3. THICKSET 90 ENDURA GLASS BLOCK BY SEVES GLASS BLOCK“I’m having a glass-block moment, especially for sophisticated ones that aren’t your standard 1980s wavy block.”

4. VIENNESE TREES WALLPAPER IN COLORWAY B BY ADELPHI PAPER HANGINGS“The art deco vibe of this wallpaper—a pattern that dates to the 1920s—is simultaneously architectural and organic.”

5. ROSSO LUANA MARBLE BY ABC STONE“A high-impact stone with a lot of movement is a must, but I am over the white-background marbles. Give me something dark and moody.”

6. CUSTOM METAL SAMPLE“Custom metalwork adds so much to a project, and I’m really digging the cooler finishes these days.”

7. FIRMA FABRIC IN PORTFOLIO BY MAHARAM“A durable yet intriguing weave as a staple. The blue and purple mixed together make this textural wool a go-to.”

8. VERA FABRIC IN INDIGO BY KETTLEWELL COLLECTION“I love everything from this brand. Their woven textiles, like this large-scale cotton patchwork inspired by traditional Japanese boro fabrics, are so compelling.”

9. CATO FABRIC IN GREEN BY KNOLL TEXTILES“I always enjoy inserting an impactful, unexpected color pop, and this chartreuse textile is just that.”

10. TANAGO FABRIC IN IVORY BY LARSEN AT COWTAN & TOUT“Adore a nubby, nautical-style fabric. Texture and durability!”

11. APERTURE HANDLE IN WAXED WHITE OAK BY NEST STUDIO“On wood cabinets, my linear, minimal Nest Studio pulls feel integral but still interesting.”

12. WATERFALL WOVEN WOOD SHADE IN SIENNA ALMOND BY THE SHADE STORE“In interiors with hard surfaces, I always mix in woven woods for texture.”

13. CUSTOM RUG BY MARC PHILLIPS“A textured rug as a base layer grounds the space. The wool composition of this handmade design is so sophisticated, but super durable too.”

14. NYLON CORD IN GOLD AND BLUE BY KNOT & ROPE SUPPLY“It’s so fun to design custom furnishings with woven cord, and there are so many colors and variations to choose from.”

15. BILBAO TILE BY BERT & MAY“A good patterned tile is a great way to lend interest to floors. Love this one, which has a muted palette and weathered patina that make it feel both historic and new.”