Business of Home Podcast

Business of Home's host Dennis Scully interviews thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives about the changes and challenges facing the interior design community.

Jerry Pair proves showrooms are still vital

Founded in Atlanta in the 1970s, Jerry Pair evolved alongside the design industry itself, starting as a small road rep operation and growing into a Southern institution. Current owner Dan Cahoon joined in the 1990s, helping to expand the business and bring it into the 21st century—navigating technological change, a recession, and a pandemic.On this episode of the podcast he speaks with host Dennis Scully about how pricing has changed over the years, why he launched both a leather business and a software company, and why, no matter what changes in the industry, showrooms will always have a role to play. This episode is sponsored by LoloiLINKSJerry PairDennis ScullyBusiness of Home 

11-24
58:42

The Thursday Show: Why Veranda is bringing back nighttime photography. Plus: Dupe.com and Williams-Sonoma settle their lawsuit

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including an update on Dupe.com, Williams-Sonoma earnings, and a new platform for AI-generated home goods. Later, editor Steele Marcoux and brand consultant Sean Yashar join the show to talk about the disappearance of nighttime design photography—and why Veranda is bringing it back.  This episode is sponsored by Renewal by Andersen and Eichholtz. LINKSThe Culture Creative PapersBusiness of Home

11-20
01:11:11

Meet Isla Porter, the design-forward, AI-powered kitchen cabinetry startup

Emily Arthur and Sharon Dranko became friends while working at West Elm—the two became business partners when they realized there was a hole in the market for a product-focused, design-forward approach to kitchen cabinetry. They launched Isla Porter only last year, but have already made a splash in the industry, collaborating with designers like Monica Stewart of the Misfit House, Anne McDonald, and Jenna Chused.On this episode of the podcast, Arthur and Dranko discuss about why they launched with an AI message but have since dialed it back, the unique story behind the name Isla Porter, and how working together as friends has helped them through the ups and downs of starting a company.This episode is sponsored by LoloiLINKSIsla PorterDennis ScullyBusiness of Home 

11-17
56:34

The Thursday Show: Will the Supreme Court undo Trump's tariffs? Plus: The evolution of Maiden Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including the latest on tariffs, Charles Cohen’s loss of another design center, and whether homes should have names. Later, Maiden Home founder Nidhi Kapur joins the show to talk about the evolution of her brand.  This episode is sponsored by Renewal by Andersen and Eichholtz. LINKSMaiden HomeBusiness of Home

11-13
01:08:48

From Farrow & Ball to Fermoie: Martin Ephson's surprising journey

Martin Ephson is a driving force behind not one but two well-known names in the design industry. In 1992, he and his business partner Tom Helme took over what was then a struggling historical paint company, Farrow and Ball. Together, they helped turn it into the powerhouse it is today—but they weren’t finished. In 2012 Ephson and Helme partnered again to launch Fermoie, a vertically integrated fabric and wallcoverings brand that has since grown by leaps and bounds.  On this episode of the podcast Ephson speaks with host Dennis Scully about why so many British companies are coming to America; how the global decline of textile mills created a local opportunity; and why his leadership style boils down to a simple principle: Look after people, and they’ll look after your business.This episode is sponsored by LoloiLINKSFermoieDennis ScullyBusiness of Home 

11-10
53:42

The Thursday Show: Billy Cotton on his latest collaboration. Plus: The rise of the Togo sofa

Host Dennis Scully and BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen discuss the biggest news in the design world, including the latest on housing, how to get hired in a slowdown, and whether are designers finally paying attention to accessibility. Later, designer Billy Cotton joins the show to talk about his latest collaboration. This episode is sponsored by Eichholtz and Renewal by AndersenLINKSBilly CottonBusiness of Home

11-06
01:08:34

Markor's Mark Feng on the AI opportunity in design

Mark Feng is the chairman and CEO of Markor, a conglomerate that includes a large retail and manufacturing operation in China, as well as brands like Caracole, A.R.T. Furniture, Jonathan Charles and Rowe. Markor was founded in a remote Chinese city in 1990 by Feng’s father, an artist and former interior designer. While it has grown into a sprawling international operation, Markor still retains its origins as an art-and-design-first company. Now Feng is looking to add technology into the mix with the launch of his own AI company, DecorX. On this episode of the podcast, he speaks with host Dennis Scully about the confusing state of the furniture industry today, balancing high design with commercial appeal, and why he thinks, over time, AI will transform every part of the industry.     This episode is sponsored by LoloiLINKSMarkorDecorXDennis ScullyBusiness of Home 

11-03
01:03:09

The Thursday Show: What happened at High Point? Plus: Why designers are experimenting with AI video

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including Wayfair’s breakout quarter, the rise of AI-generated video, and a drama-filled celebrity home tour. Later, BOH’s editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen joins the show to recap High Point Market. This episode is sponsored by Chelsea House and Newport BrassLINKSBusiness of Home

10-30
01:18:21

Inside Nate Berkus' three decades of success

A household name in the industry and beyond, Nate Berkus rose to prominence in the early 2000s through his appearances on the Oprah Winfrey show. But despite becoming a celebrity in his own right, he never left the industry behind—he’s been a working designer for three decades, taking on clients, releasing collections, collaborating with his husband Jeremiah Brent, and publishing his own work to widespread acclaim.  On this episode of the podcast Berkus speaks with host Dennis Scully about his lifelong obsession with antiques; his new book on the foundations of a great home; and why, despite having every opportunity to ditch the grind of client work, he lives for the daily challenges of being a designer. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Hector FinchLINKSNate BerkusFoundationsDennis ScullyBusiness of Home 

10-27
01:03:24

The Thursday Show: Quince is serious about getting into the home business. Plus: Havenly goes AI

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including price hikes from Ikea, furniture from Quince, and a look at why design might be moving on from the straight line. Later, Havenly founder and CEO Lee Mayer joins the show to discuss her company’s new AI design tool.  This episode is sponsored by Chelsea House and Newport BrassLINKSHavenlyBusiness of Home

10-23
01:12:29

Inspired by English country houses, Jamb's Will Fisher built a unique institution

Jamb is a unique English company, offering everything from 17th century fireplaces to modern day reproduction furniture. Its founder, Will Fisher, fell in love with antiques at a young age, working at Christie’s as a teenager. He built up Jamb piece by piece, starting as a “man with a van” solo dealer, growing his trade and eventually getting into manufacturing reproductions. Today, alongside his wife and business partner Charlotte Freemantle, Fisher is a leading figure in the British design establishment.On this episode of The Business of Home Podcast, he speaks with host Dennis Scully about why he doesn’t rely on online listings to buy antiques; his hopes for the next generation of connoisseurs; and why, no matter how much Jamb has grown, he still thinks of himself as a man with a van.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Hector FinchLINKSJambDennis ScullyBusiness of Home 

10-20
01:06:55

The Thursday Show: Are great rooms always photogenic? Plus: Sarah Harrelson on Cultured's new home publication

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including Kelly Wearstler’s new venture, a housing check-in, and whether great rooms really need to be photogenic. Later, Cultured founder and editor in chief Sarah Harrelson joins the show to talk about her magazine’s new annual interior design issue, Cultured at Home.  This episode is sponsored by Chelsea House and Newport BrassLINKSCulturedBusiness of Home

10-16
01:02:23

Corey Damen Jenkins is all in on everything

Corey Damen Jenkins’ design career famously started in 2008, when he vowed to knock on 800 doors to find a client in the middle of the Great Recession. On the 779th door, he found one. Since then, client by client, project by project, Jenkins has risen to the top of the industry—he’s one of a small handful of designers with a MasterClass, he’s on the Elle Decor A-List and the AD100, and his second book, Design Reimagined, just hit shelves.  On this episode of the podcast, Jenkins speaks with host Dennis Scully about how the Kips Bay Show House launched his career, why he tries to run his business on what he calls the ‘Mariah Carey principle,’ and why he’s all in on everything he does. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Hector FinchLINKSCorey Damen JenkinsDesign ReimaginedDennis ScullyBusiness of Home  https://coreydamenjenkins.com/

10-13
56:33

The Thursday Show: Has the design industry gotten too big? Plus: Event planner and designer Rebecca Gardner on crafting the perfect party

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including a new salary report from the ASID, changes at Afternoon Light, and a look at Kips Bay’s 50th anniversary. Later, event planner and designer Rebecca Gardner shares insight from her career, alongside tips for crafting the perfect party.  This episode is sponsored by Chelsea House and Newport BrassLINKSRebecca Gardner - Houses & PartiesA Screaming BlastBusiness of Home

10-09
57:48

The sisters behind Flora Soames on the key to English style

The great-granddaughters of Winston Churchill, sisters Flora and Gemma Soames grew up in an English country house full of china, chintz and family heirlooms. After school, they followed their own paths, but eventually two personal tragedies brought them back together. Now, Flora designs textiles while also running her acclaimed decorating firm, and Gemma handles the operations of the fabric line, which has become a fast-growing business.On this episode of the podcast, they speak with host Dennis Scully about working together as sisters, why they’re expanding in the U.S. market, and why the key to British style is mixing the ordinary with the extraordinary.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Hector FinchLINKSFlora SoamesDennis ScullyBusiness of Home 

10-06
01:00:46

The Thursday Show: A fresh round of tariff chaos. Plus: Alexa Hampton on 50 years of Kips Bay

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including new tariffs targeting the home industry, MillerKnoll’s latest earnings report and what’s behind the enduring popularity of millennial gray. Later, designer Alexa Hampton joins the show to talk about the Kips Bay Decorator Show House—including her family history with the event, how it benefits the local community and what it can mean for a designer’s career. This episode is sponsored by Chelsea House and Newport BrassLINKSAlexa HamptonBusiness of Home

10-02
59:50

Ray Booth on meditation, AI, and why 'beauty is a byproduct'

Ray Booth’s career forms a perfect circle: At school, his first internship was with the legendary southern architect Bobby McAlpine. After moving to New York and working for John Saladino and Clodagh, Booth moved back and became a partner in McAlpine’s firm, where he’s stayed ever since. But Booth has also become a star in his own right—with a book, lines for Hickory Chair and Visual Comfort, and regular placement in top shelter magazines.  On this episode of the podcast he speaks with host Dennis Scully about staying with McAlpine while building his own brand, how social media has made clients more difficult to work with, and how his new book, The Expressive Home, signals a new chapter in his career.  This episode is sponsored by Loloi and CryptonLINKSRay BoothThe Expressive HomeDennis ScullyBusiness of Home 

09-29
59:48

The Thursday Show: Colin King is breaking out of the 'beige box.' Plus: What's behind the British design invasion?

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including the history of the shelter magazine, a British design invasion, and how a warehouse fire is impacting Brooklyn’s artisan community. Later, stylist and author Colin King joins the show to talk about slowing down, starting a Substack, and breaking out of the "beige box" the industry put him in. This episode is sponsored by Serena & Lily and Hartmann&ForbesRED HOOK FIRE RELIEFDe La Vega DesignsTokenAll artisans and workshopsLINKSColin KingThe Last LayerBusiness of Home  

09-25
01:03:08

How Homes & Gardens' brand director is pivoting in the age of AI

Sarah Spiteri is the global brand director behind British shelter magazines Homes & Gardens and Livingetc. Livingetc is a modern creation, founded in the late 1990s to focus on contemporary style—but Homes & Gardens is an English institution dating back to 1919. After a ownership change, Sarah was tasked with revitalizing the print editions while growing the digital audience—she’s been hard at work, keeping both titles vital in a challenging media environment. On this episode of the podcast she speaks with host Dennis Scully about the surprising fact that the majority of her online audience is American, why she wants to democratize the English design scene, and why, despite being an iconic British magazine, Homes & Gardens is open to publishing great design from anywhere in the world. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and CryptonLINKSHomes & GardensLivingetcDennis ScullyBusiness of Home 

09-22
51:44

The Thursday Show: Emily Henderson is flexing new muscles. Plus: RH's CEO sounds the alarm on tariffs

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including the latest on inflation and interest rates, RH’s recent earnings report and what luxury means today. Later, Emily Henderson joins the show to talk about her new sofa collection and how she's reacting to the rise of AI. This episode is sponsored by Serena & Lily and Hartmann&ForbesLINKSEmily HendersonBusiness of Home

09-18
01:08:13

Lisza Coffey

This is the first time I've ever commented on a Podcast. I appreciate and love the business of Design Podcast and feel as though it is one of the most informative in the field. That said not everyone has the same business model as Mr Silverman suggests. I am a luxury interior designer in the residential industry. I am also a retailer. I pay overhead and rent to have a brick and mortar shop, retail showroom and resource area every month and have for the last 17 years. I advertise, staff my business and all the rest that goes with supporting a small business. I am located in Nebraska. I think ot needs to be said that there is a big world outside of New York and LA. A large part of my business is fabric, window treatments and items that require fabric goods. If I were not able to mark that up like my other resources it doesn't make much sense to take on the liability of selling the product. I'm a wholesale dealer for some of the most luxury furniture, lighting, accessory and art lines in

02-21 Reply

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