Sign in
Arts
Business
Business of Home, Dennis Scully
Business of Home's host Dennis Scully interviews thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives about the changes and challenges facing the interior design community.
From janitor to buzzy designer: How Sean Anderson got his start
Sean Anderson has come a long way to get to where he is: after growing up in a small town in Mississippi and dropping out of college, he spent a decade working as a bartender, electrician and janitor. After moving to Memphis and redesigning his partner’s home, people began to notice Anderson’s work—so did design magazines like Architectural Digest and Elle Decor, and today he’s one of the southeast’s buzziest young designers.On this episode of the podcast, Anderson speaks with host Dennis Scully about the advantages of working with a remote staff, his experience with The Expert, and why, for young designers, comparing yourself to someone else is the worst thing you can do.This episode is sponsored by The Shade Store and Loloi RugsLINKSSean AndersonDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
40:5215/05/2023
The Thursday Show: Inside the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, the gray flooring debate rages on and more
BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, from a greenwashing lawsuit to the debate over gray flooring. Later, the podcast takes a trip to the 48th annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House.This episode is sponsored by Daniel House Club. LINKSKips BayDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
53:5511/05/2023
Lulu & Georgia founder Sara Sugarman still feels like an underdog
Sara Sugarman grew up in the design industry—her father ran a rug showroom that had been started by his father in the 1950s. When Sugarman came onboard the family firm in the 2000s, she became intrigued by the rise of online shopping, so she started e-commerce platform Lulu & Georgia as a side project. It was an instant hit, and has since grown by leaps and bounds. On this episode of the podcast, Sugarman speaks with host Dennis Scully about why she’s committed to keeping Lulu & Georgia online only, how starting a family made her a better CEO, and why, when it comes to the e-commerce revolution, we’re just getting started.This episode is sponsored by The Shade Store and Loloi RugsLINKSLulu & GeorgiaDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
55:0308/05/2023
The Thursday Show: Sophie Donelson wants to free the kitchen, the AI interior design gold rush and more
BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, from Tiffany's new headquarters to the AI interior design gold rush. Later, former House Beautiful editor in chief Sophie Donelson chats about her new book, Uncommon Kitchens. This episode is sponsored by Daniel House Club. LINKSSophie Donelson Dennis ScullyBusiness of Home
46:2304/05/2023
Thom Filicia has always followed his own path
Thom Filicia rose to fame after his appearance on the breakout hit Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, but his career began in the rarified world of New York’s most prestigious design firms, with stints working for Parish-Hadley, Robert Metzger and Jeffrey Bilhuber. Though Filicia found success on TV, he never left the design world behind, and he’s continued to take on projects, build a growing empire of licensed product, and open a to-the-trade showroom, Sedgwick and Brattle.In front of a live audience at High Point Spring Market, Filicia spoke with host Dennis Scully about his intuitive approach to business, taking design beyond the 1%, and why he’s always relished ignoring convention and striking out on his own path.This episode is sponsored by The Shade Store and Loloi RugsLINKSThom FiliciaDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
43:5001/05/2023
The Thursday Show: Looking back on High Point Market with BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen, the rise of "quiet luxury" and more
BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, from Bed Bath & Beyond's bankruptcy to the rise of "Quiet Luxury." Later, BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen comes on the show to recap High Point Market's spring edition.This episode is sponsored by CryptonLINKSKaitlin PetersenDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
54:1827/04/2023
Jeremiah Brent wants to shift the narrative on the design industry
At 38, Jeremiah Brent is a young designer. But from building a bicoastal firm to an appearance on the AD100 list to product lines to TV shows with his husband Nate Berkus, he’s packed a great deal into his career already. On this episode of the podcast, Brent speaks to host Dennis Scully about learning to let go as he grew his firm, why personalization is the ultimate form of luxury, and why he wants to change the industry’s checkered reputation.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Four HandsLINKSJeremiah BrentDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
01:01:1424/04/2023
The Thursday Show: Live from Milan Design Week with Dan Rubinstein, MillerKnoll's PR crisis and more
BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, from MillerKnoll's PR crisis to some good signs from the stock market. Later, journalist and podcaster Dan Rubinstein joins the show live from Milan to share an update from Salone del Mobile. This episode is sponsored by CryptonLINKSDan RubinsteinThe Grand TouristDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
45:3720/04/2023
How Romo is conquering America, one market at a time
Though Romo’s history goes back to 1902 in England, in the U.S. the company was relatively unknown for its first century in business. That changed when North American CEO Frederic Henry took the reins in 2005. He’s since transformed Romo into a fabric powerhouse here, with six house brands and a network of showrooms across the country. On this episode of the podcast, Henry joins host Dennis Scully and shares how one key relationship changed everything for Romo, why multiline showrooms are key to the industry’s future and why he sees conquering the fabric industry like a game of Risk. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Four HandsLINKSRomoDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
58:0017/04/2023
The Thursday Show: Schumacher's Nashville experiment, the scourge of damaged product and more
BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, from a client rejection note that went viral to Ikea's new design service. Later, Schumacher CEO Timur Yumusaklar discusses the brand's new Nashville showroom/boutique hybrid. This episode is sponsored by CryptonLINKSDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
45:4313/04/2023
Sarah Sherman Samuel puts passion over business, every time
A multitalented creative, Sarah Sherman Samuel has occupied many roles in the industry: Interior designer, product designer, TV star, social media creator, and artist. Her collaborations with Lulu & Georgia, West Elm and Semihandmade are perennial hits, and her own line of furniture, SSS Atelier, just debuted at New York’s buzzy Colony gallery last month. On this episode of the podcast, Samuel speaks with host Dennis Scully about balancing design projects with product collaborations, the shifting winds of social media, and the complicated relationship between creative passion and commercial success. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Four HandsLINKSSarah Sherman SamuelDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
48:4410/04/2023
The Thursday Show: Wunderkind stylist Colin King, RH's wild earnings call and more
On the debut episode of The Thursday Show, BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, from the return of the New York Kips Bay Decorator Show House to RH’s wild earnings call. Later, wunderkind stylist Colin King talks about working with Athena Calderone and Roman & Williams, his new book Arranging Things, and whether he's over white boucle (spoiler alert: he is).This episode is sponsored by CryptonLINKSColin KingDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
45:4606/04/2023
The Modern House publishes beautiful homes—then sells them
Originally a design and architecture journalist, in 2005 Matt Gibberd and his childhood friend Albert Hill started building a site that not only profiled exceptional British homes, but sold them too. Part media platform and part real estate agency, The Modern House has become a truly unique business, and a thriving one, fielding 90 out of a London office and looking towards international expansion. On this episode of the podcast, Gibberd speaks with host Dennis Scully about the emotional power of houses, how English taste in design is changing, and why 3D renderings and virtual reality will never replace good old-fashioned photography. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Four HandsLINKSThe Modern HouseDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
46:5303/04/2023
The mother-daughter duo behind Sister Parish Design are putting "faith over fear"
Sister Parish was one of the 20th century’s most iconic designers. Working for presidents, celebrities, socialites and titans of industry, she and her partner Albert Hadley crafted a uniquely American style, and their firm, the legendary Parish-Hadley, was a proving ground for a generation of future stars, from Bunny Williams and David Kleinberg to Thomas Jayne and David Easton. Now Parish’s legacy is being carried on into the 21st century as a fabric and wallpaper brand run by her granddaughter Susan Crater and great granddaughter Eliza Harris. On this episode of the podcast, they chat with host Dennis Scully about why Sister Parish was an entrepreneur ahead of her time, why they’re embracing both consumers and designers alike, and putting faith over fear as the industry enters a new era. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Four HandsLINKSSister Parish DesignDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
01:07:0927/03/2023
How the duo behind Nickey Kehoe built a modern, multifaceted design business
After a chance meeting in Brooklyn brought them together, Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe forged a partnership that has survived a cross country move and two decades in business. Today, both the firm and the retail operation are thriving, and Nickey Kehoe is one of LA’s most celebrated young design brands. On this episode of the podcast, the duo talk about the secrets of a long-term partnership, finding the right amount of risk taking in their business, and why they want to be known for a feel, not a look.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Four HandsLINKSNickey KehoeDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
49:1320/03/2023
Orior's approach has always been bold (and a little crazy)
Irish furniture brand Orior has an improbable history: Started in the late 1970s by the husband-and-wife duo of Brian and Rosie McGuigan, the company began in a small town near Belfast in the midst of the Troubles. 40 years later, the furniture is still manufactured in the same town, but the McGuigan’s son Ciaran has brought the brand to New York and given it an edgy, cosmopolitan look. On this episode of the podcast, Rosie and Ciaran McGuigan tell host Dennis Scully about getting through tough times, leaning into their Irishness, and why being bold—and maybe a little crazy—has always been part of their company’s DNA.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Four HandsLINKSOriorDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
55:2813/03/2023
Martyn Lawrence Bullard's intuition has never let him down
Once an aspiring actor, Martyn Lawrence Bullard left his native England for Hollywood in the 1990s and quickly switched professions. He’s since become one of the industry’s most renowned designers, earning a regular spot on best-of lists, and working with a roster of celebrity clients, from Cher and Elton John to Machine Gun Kelly and Kylie Jenner. On this episode of the podcast, Bullard speaks with host Dennis Scully about why his superpower has always been intuition, why he’s not a fan of hourly billing, and why his strategy for licensing resembles a pyramid.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Four HandsLINKSMartyn Lawrence BullardDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
51:0206/03/2023
Why did Havenly buy Interior Define?
Once a buzzy DTC furniture brand, last year Interior Define hit hard times and stopped paying its vendors, leaving thousands of customers in limbo with unfulfilled orders. At the 11th hour, Interior Define was acquired by an unlikely buyer: e-design platform Havenly. This week, Havenly’s CEO Lee Mayer returns to the podcast to talk about the acquisition.Mayer speaks with host Dennis Scully about the strings attached to venture capital money, the complicated process of acquiring a brand in distress, and why, despite all of the drama, she thought Interior Define deserved another chance. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Daniel House ClubLINKSHavenlyInterior DefineDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
01:02:2127/02/2023
Can Design Holding become the LVMH of home?
You may not be familiar with the name “Design Holding,” but you know the brands in its portfolio, including Flos, B&B Italia, Louis Poulsen, Maxalto and many more. Through strategic acquisitions, the company has quietly become one of the most significant players in European luxury design—CEO Daniel Lalonde’s goal is to make Design Holding the LVMH of the home world. On this episode of the podcast, Lalonde speaks with host Dennis Scully about catering to both designers and consumers, his thoughts on trade pricing, and why there’s no shortcut to real luxury.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Daniel House ClubLINKSDesign HoldingDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
48:2820/02/2023
The Expert starts its next chapter
When Jake Arnold and Leo Seigal launched The Expert in 2021, the online design platform quickly took the industry by storm, connecting clients with elite designers for video consultations booked at hundreds of dollars an hour. Now the two are launching an e-commerce component to The Expert, and they’ve lined up a roster of premier brands like Pierre Frey, Apparatus and Rose Tarlow to help them do it. On this episode of the podcast they speak with host Dennis Scully about learning from the mistakes of other design industry startups, how they earned the trust of tech-skeptical trade-only vendors, and why home is such a difficult business to bring online.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Daniel House ClubLINKSThe ExpertDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
01:01:1513/02/2023
Mary McDonald embraces interior design's "never-ending learning curve"
Interior designer Mary McDonald rose to prominence in the early aughts, as her work began to show up on the cover of shelter magazines. She’s stayed at the top of the field ever since—McDonald is a regular fixture on industry best-of lists, and her licensed collections with Schumacher and Chaddock are perennial hits. On this episode of the podcast she speaks with host Dennis Scully about the challenges facing young designers, the surprising reason she finds RH useful to her firm, and why interior design is a never-ending learning curveThis episode is sponsored by Loloi and Daniel House ClubLINKSMary McDonaldDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
55:2906/02/2023
At Pierre Frey, creativity comes before business
Founded in 1935, Pierre Frey has become one of the most admired names in the world of high-end design, revered for its inventive, colorful creations. Patrick Frey, the son of the founder, has steered the company for decades as it has grown its presence all over the world. The firm now offers wallcoverings, carpets and furniture, having acquired the storied French rug maker Braquenie, and the fabric houses Boussac, LeManach and, just last year, Thorp. Frey has recently turned over control of the company to his sons, Pierre, Vincent, and Mattieu, while keeping the creative direction for himself.On this week’s episode, taped in Paris in the thick of Déco Off, Frey spoke about why he’s optimistic that the home industry isn’t due for a slowdown, the important lessons he learned from his father, and why, in design, you have to put creativity first and business second.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Cozy EarthLINKSPierre FreyDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
01:04:1130/01/2023
Stephen Burks wants to open the doors of the design industry
Industrial designer Stephen Burks career started in the early 2000s, when he became one of the first Americans to design furniture for European powerhouses like Roche Bobois, Moroso and Cappellini. Over the past two decades, he’s become one of industrial design’s most notable figures, creating collections for top brands and working with artisans around the world. On this episode of the podcast, Burks speaks with host Dennis Scully about the archaic way that industrial designers are paid, how bureaucracy shapes what kind of furniture gets made, and the persistent role race plays in the design industry.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Cozy EarthLINKSStephen BurksDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
54:5023/01/2023
Society Social wants to be every Grandmillennial's favorite brand
In 2011, Roxy Owens left behind a marketing career to start a furniture and decor brand dedicated to playful traditionalism. Eight years later, the rise of “grandmillennial” style helped Society Social find its moment—Owens is coming off a year of record growth and an expansive new collaboration with The Colony hotel in Palm Beach. On this episode of the podcast, she speaks about the tension between being inspiring and being real on social media, how customer loyalty and a few smart pivots got her through COVID, and why prioritizing mental health is so important for business owners.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Cozy EarthLINKSSociety SocialDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
53:0916/01/2023
Sophie Ashby wants to fight back against 'unidentifiable global chic'
A member of the UK’s rising generation, Interior designer Sophie Ashby has achieved widespread attention for her colorful and eclectic projects. During COVID, she got even busier, opening Sister, a retail brand, and United in Design, a nonprofit that seeks to address the lack of diversity in the British design industry. On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about why shipping furniture from the UK is cheaper than buying it in the US, whether RH can succeed in England, and why being brutally honest with clients is tough but worth it.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Cozy EarthLINKSSophie AshbyUnited in DesignDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
53:1409/01/2023
How Alexa Hampton learned the language of design [Rebroadcast]
Alexa Hampton is, by any definition, a lifer in the trade. The daughter of celebrated designer Mark Hampton, she grew up in the business, and took over her father’s firm at the age of 27 after his untimely passing in 1998. Since then, Alexa has never slowed down, earning endless plaudits for her work, appearing regularly on industry best-of lists, authoring books and columns, and designing product for everyone from Kravet to Theodore Alexander to The Shade Store. On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about how interior design is like a language, why her ideal firm size is 11 employees, and why it’s important to embrace—not turn away from—transparency and change.This episode is sponsored by LoloiLINKSAlexa HamptonDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
01:05:5302/01/2023
Looking back on an eventful year in the design industry
This week on the podcast host Dennis Scully is joined by BOH’s editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen and executive editor Fred Nicolaus. Together they look back on an eventful year in the design industry and ahead at what’s to come in the new year. Topics include the two companies that will determine the future of the industry, which tech innovations actually matter, and why, despite economic stormclouds, 2023 might be the year to fall back in love with design. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Las Vegas MarketLINKSKaitlin PetersenFred NicolausDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
01:02:3419/12/2022
American Leather's president knows why the home industry is slow to change
Though American Leather may be an unfamiliar name in the design trade, the company is a powerhouse of furniture manufacturing, with 800 employees in a Texas facility that’s capable of churning out 500 pieces of furniture a day. President Veronica Schnitzius has risen through the ranks over two decades— as a young woman she left behind cartel violence in Colombia to come to the US, and found a role at the company, where she’s helped grow its business by leaps and bounds. On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about why change comes slow to the furniture industry, the quest to design an attractive recliner, and why manufacturing is like a symphony.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Las Vegas MarketNext week, BOH editors will be on the show to recap an eventful year. If you have a question for the podcast, or a general query about the design industry, drop us a line at [email protected] LeatherDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
55:3712/12/2022
Amber Lewis sees the glass half full
To the outside world, Amber Lewis is an interior designer. Behind the scenes, her business is a complex operation with more than 100 employees, tackling everything from retail shops, product design and e-commerce to books, licenses and residential projects. Lewis has grown it piece by piece over the past decade, bootstrapping the company, without outside funding.On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Denis Scully about the challenge of turning creativity on and off at will, running a big business with a small business mindset, and how a serious medical diagnosis gave her a new perspective on work and life.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Las Vegas MarketLINKSAmber LewisDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
51:0005/12/2022
Athena Calderone likes to prove the doubters wrong
In 2011, Athena Calderone was a young mother in Brooklyn, looking to turn her considerable creative energy into a career. She started a blog, Eyeswoon, which has grown into a powerful platform for her various endeavors, including cooking, styling, and design. A decade in and fresh off a major collection for Crate and Barrel, Calderone is poised to kick off a new phase of growth: she’s in the midst of launching an e-commerce business and working on a residential development project—not to mention a few design jobs, partnerships with the likes of Tiffany and American Express, and attending to her nearly 1 million Instagram followers. On this episode of the podcast, Calderone shares with host Dennis Scully why she loves to prove the doubters wrong, how embracing the chaos of creativity is healthy, and why doing more than one thing is both a blessing and a curse.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Las Vegas MarketLINKSAthena CalderoneDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
01:01:1428/11/2022
Timothy Corrigan: "Designers are brands"
A fixture in the top tier of the international design scene since the late nineties, Timothy Corrigan has been on every magazine’s honor roll, won numerous awards, and is the only American to be recognized by the French Heritage Society for his work. His clients have included everyone from Madonna and David Schwimmer to the Qatari royal family—every month Tim makes a loop around the world to attend to a truly global clientele. On this episode of the podcast, he speaks with host Dennis Scully about why he likes to hire employees with first careers outside of design, how work life balance is overrated, and how transparency is the only way forward for the industry.This episode is sponsored by Amazon Ads and Universal FurnitureLINKSTimothy CorriganDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
52:1121/11/2022
Lori Weitzner: "Ask for what you want, not what you think is possible"
It’s difficult to sum up Lori Weitzner’s career quickly. From her partnership with fabric icon Jack Lenor Larsen to her longtime relationship with Samuel & Sons to her own wallcovering line to her jewelry to her book on color, she’s truly a multifaceted talent. On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about learning to make the best of criticism and setbacks, her strong feelings on performance fabrics, and the future of shopping in the trade. This episode is sponsored by Amazon Ads and Universal FurnitureLINKSThe Bruno EffectDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
53:0414/11/2022
Is there room for another online antiques marketplace?
As the likes of 1stdibs and Chairish have embraced a transactional, click-to-buy model for buying and selling online, Carmine Bruno is going in the other direction. His site, The Bruno Effect, offers something of an old-school system—it simply connects dealers with shoppers, then gets out of the way. On this episode of the podcast, Bruno speaks with host Dennis Scully about the growing pains of entrepreneurship, why he thinks there’s room at the top for another online marketplace, and how the internet has changed the culture of the antiques business.This episode is sponsored by Amazon Ads and Universal FurnitureLINKSThe Bruno EffectDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
48:5607/11/2022
What happened at High Point Market?
Twice a year, thousands of designers and retail buyers descend on a small town in North Carolina for High Point Market. A trade show, a conference, a networking event, and at night a party — High Point is the home industry’s South by Southwest. The fall edition just wrapped, and to recap the event, this week on the podcast Business of Home’s editor-in-chief Kaitlin Petersen and retail columnist Warren Shoulberg join host Dennis Scully on the show. They discuss their Market highlights, why the supply chain crisis isn’t a hot topic anymore, and how the industry is reacting to the possibility of a recession.This episode is sponsored by Amazon Ads and Universal FurnitureLINKSHigh Point MarketKaitlin PetersenWarren ShoulbergDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
43:3231/10/2022
Beth Webb: "Too many designers discount themselves"
After starting her career in the art world, a chance encounter at a dinner party got Beth Webb into design, and she hasn’t looked back. With projects in top magazines, a book through Rizzoli and a licensed collection with Arteriors, she’s one of the South’s most notable talents. On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about how she’s navigating runaway costs and neverending lead times, why HR is the toughest part of the design business, and why landing big clients takes a “try everything” approach. This episode is sponsored by Loloi Rugs and Modern Matter. LINKSBeth WebbDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
55:2224/10/2022
Fortuny has had a wild century. Its owners are thinking about the next 100 years
With a 19th century inventor, a countess, and a tragic car crash, the story of Italian fabric brand Fortuny feels like an epic novel. Here, Mickey and Maury Riad—the brothers behind the company’s modern incarnation—share the tale of Fortuny’s first century, as well as their strategy for the next 100 years.They also tell host Dennis Scully what they learned from the shutdown of their startup Fuigo, how they’re thinking about a potential downturn, and why they believe—with the right technology—the design industry could do so much better. This episode is sponsored by Loloi Rugs and Modern Matter. LINKSFortunyDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
01:04:1417/10/2022
Jenni Kayne's CEO says the brand is just getting started in home
This week on the Business of Home Podcast, host Dennis Scully is joined by Julia Hunter, the CEO of the lifestyle brand Jenni Kayne. Founded in 2002 by Kayne herself, the company built its name in fashion, selling elevated basics in neutral tones. In 2017, Julia led the brand to explore textiles and eventually furniture—home is now a 20 million dollar business for Jenni Kayne. On the show, Hunter speaks about why influencer marketing has so much untapped potential in home, the reason she and her team bought and renovated a house, and why sticking to beige has worked so well for Jenni Kayne. This episode is sponsored by Loloi Rugs and Modern Matter. LINKSJenni KayneDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
49:4510/10/2022
Gabriel Hendifar of Apparatus is embracing the fantasy
Founded in 2012 as a lighting studio by then-partners Gabriel Hendifar and Jeremy Anderson, Apparatus has quickly become one the industry’s most talked-about brands. Dividing its collections into “acts” and staging elaborate events to celebrate their release, the company brings the spirit of immersive theater to the business of selling high-end lighting and furniture. In this episode of the podcast, Hendifar, artistic director of Apparatus, speaks with host Dennis Scully about what it means to put narrative first in design, why Apparatus’s parties are as important as their products, and why emerging from a split with his original partner has given him the confidence to dream even bigger.This episode is sponsored by Loloi Rugs and Modern Matter. LINKSApparatusDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
46:3803/10/2022
Suzanne Kasler on why the design business is better (and harder) than ever
A midwestern native trained in commercial design, Suzanne Kasler made two big pivots in the mid-1990s: she moved to Atlanta, and began working exclusively on residential projects. Both changes turned out to be prescient: She quickly became one of the south’s biggest names, and is now a nationally recognized designer, regularly earning a spot on the AD100 and Elle Decor’s A-List—not to mention a robust portfolio of product licenses with everyone from Hickory Chair to Visual Comfort to Ballard Design.On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about why business is about more than just productivity, why she focuses on pricing transparency with clients, and how the logistical challenges of the pandemic have changed her firm forever.This episode is sponsored by CryptonLINKSSuzanne KaslerDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
53:0426/09/2022
Billy Cotton tried to quit interior design. The universe had other ideas
From creating a line of tableware to design projects that landed him on the AD100, Billy Cotton’s career has seen him apply his talents to a wide range of pursuits. Recently, after a short stint as Ralph Lauren Home’s creative director, he’s returned to the role that keeps calling him back —interior designer. On this episode of the show, he speaks with host Dennis Scully about why he likes to hire former waiters for his firm, how perception doesn’t always match reality in the design industry, and why he’s always counted on hard work to get him through difficult times.This episode is sponsored by CryptonLINKSBilly CottonDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
01:00:4419/09/2022
Can you balance idealism and business? Connie Matisse is working on it
Founded in 2010 by Connie Matisse, her husband Alex, and their friend John Vigeland, East Fork began as a small pottery studio. The company has since evolved into a thriving direct-to-consumer brand, with a bustling manufacturing operation in North Carolina. On this episode of podcast, host Dennis Scully speaks with Matisse about her complicated relationship with social media, the leadership lessons she’s learned at the helm of a fast-growing company, and why it’s so hard to find a balance between idealism and business. This episode is sponsored by CryptonTo register for the Future of Home conference, click here.LINKSEast ForkDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
59:3905/09/2022
How two friends named John reshaped the design business
John Edelman and John McPhee met by chance while working for Edelman’s brother, Sam in the footwear business—their partnership would ultimately reshape the design industry as we know it. Together, they exponentially grew the Edelman family leather business, which they ultimately sold to Knoll for $67 million. They then went on to pull off a dramatic rescue job on then-struggling retailer Design Within Reach, selling that business to Herman Miller for $154 million. Now, the pair have their own ventures: McPhee is the new CEO of chilewich, and Edelman has acquired cult favorite design brand Heller. But they continue to work together and share insights on a fast-changing market. On this episode of the show, they talk about how difficult times lead to the most growth, and why betting on great design always makes for good business. This episode is sponsored by Crypton. Click here to register for the Future of Home conference. LINKSHellerChilewichDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
01:01:5629/08/2022
How did Harry Styles end up on the cover of Better Homes & Gardens?
With stints at Domino, House and Garden, and Martha Stewart Living, Stephen Orr is a publishing veteran who has seen most sides of the shelter media industry. In his current role as editor in chief of Better Homes & Gardens, he’s working on a new challenge: to steer a 100-year-old publication that reaches not just the affluent and design-obsessed, but all Americans, across the country, from all walks of life. In this episode of the podcast, he speaks with host Dennis Scully about what “fancy creep” is and why wants to avoid it, why he put Harry Styles on his cover, and why, for a contemporary magazine, the print issue is only part of the equation. This episode is sponsored by Modern Matter & High Point MarketRegister for the Future of Home here.LINKSBetter Homes & GardensDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
55:3822/08/2022
Zak+Fox founder Zak Profera on the power of details
A decade ago, Zak Profera started his company—Zak & Fox—a decade ago as a small line of printed linens. Through great design, determination and a relentless obsession with details, he’s grown it into a thriving independent brand, beloved by designers and represented by the industry’s best showrooms. On this episode of the podcast, he speaks with host Dennis Scully about the pros and cons of design centers, why he stopped selling to consumers, and why, despite the rapid pace of technological disruption, he thinks the design industry won’t change as much as some might think. This episode is sponsored by Modern Matter & High Point MarketRegister for the Future of Home here.LINKSZak+FoxDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
56:2915/08/2022
Can rugs be innovative? Brian Erden thinks so
After years in the textile industry, Brian Erden had a series of innovations: One was to weave metals like bronze and brass deeply into the background of rugs. The other was to establish his own operations overseas, rather than relying on a dubious network of middlemen. In six short years, Erden product has become a hit in the industry, represented by top showrooms and used by star designers. On this episode of the podcast, he speaks with host Dennis Scully about why some rugs cost $1,000 and others $10,000, why he’s a believer in multiline showrooms, and why the textile industry isn’t as innovative as it needs to be.This episode is sponsored by Modern Matter and High Point Market.To register for the Future of Home conference, click here. Erden RugsDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
58:0308/08/2022
Shanan Campanaro of Eskayel on creating a cult favorite textile brand
After a breakup left Shanan Campanaro in a near-empty apartment, she decided to tap into her fine art background and create some bespoke wallcoverings. The project led her to found the New York textile design studio Eskayel. On this episode of the podcast, Campanaro speaks with host Dennis Scully about how her unorthodox beginnings, coupled with her outsider perspective and experiences watching her parents run their own business led her to create a brand that was uniquely her own.This episode is sponsored by Modern Matter and High Point Market.
01:04:0501/08/2022
Jonathan Miller on real estate as a spectator sport
Jonathan Miller, the president and CEO of real estate appraisal and consulting firm Miller Samuel, discusses what rapidly rising interest rates will mean for the housing market. This episode is sponsored by Serena & Lily and the Future of Home conference.
52:1825/07/2022
Thibaut is proudly old school
Originally founded as a wallpaper maker in the 19th century, Thibaut has grown over the decades to become a powerhouse brand that now produces wallcoverings, fabric and even furniture. Despite a surge of growth in our digital era, Thibaut remains proudly old-school. While other brands explore virtual visualization tools and selling online, it produces sample books and relies on a network of showrooms and shops to distribute its products. On this episode of the podcast, chief marketing officer Stacy Senior Allan speaks with host Dennis Scully about how trade brands have to police internet sellers, why she believes in the power of print magazines, and what interior designers really need in a time of so much change. This episode is sponsored by Serena & Lily and the Future of Home conferenceLINKSThibautDennis Scully Business of Home
53:5318/07/2022
Martin Brudnizki: "If you can design a restaurant, you can design anything"
A truly cosmopolitan interior designer, Martin Brudnizki was raised in Sweden, started his business in London, and now operates an office in New York. If you’re familiar with the finest restaurants and hotels in the world, you know his work—he’s designed everything from the Beekman in New York to Annabel’s in London to Soho House in Miami. On this episode of the podcast, he speaks with host Dennis Scully about why he likes running a large firm, why he’s pushing to get employees back to the office, and why he always takes on 30 percent more work than he can handle.This episode is sponsored by Serena & Lily and the Future of Home conferenceLINKSMartin BrudnizkiDennis Scully Business of Home
46:5911/07/2022
Brigette Romanek on a rocket-fueled design career
The daughter of singer Paulette McWilliams, interior designer Brigette Romanek was always destined for a creative path, but it was a winding one. She tried her hand at music and fashion before finally landing on interior design—ever since, she’s been on a tear, landing celebrity clients, a spot on the AD100 and a major collection with Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams. On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about the complications of working for celebrity clients, why she invested in buzzy startup The Expert, and why, economic stormclouds or no, she’s choosing to be optimistic about the future.This episode is sponsored by Serena & Lily and the Future of Home conferenceLINKSBrigette RomanekDennis Scully Business of Home
01:00:0804/07/2022