Business of Home Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Where Alex Shuford of Rock House Farm sees the next big opportunity Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

When Alex Shuford-CEO of Rock House Farm, the family of brands that includes Century, Hickory Chair, and Highland House-was on the podcast last year, he was optimistic about 2024. Halfway through the year, his optimism remains intact, and once the smoke clears from the elections in the fall, he thinks the combination of pent-up demand and a generational wealth shift will lead to significant opportunity for the industry next year and beyond.

On this episode of the show, Shuford engages in a wide-ranging conversation about where the home industry might be heading next. He speaks with host Dennis Scully about the changing role of independent furniture stores, the state of competitors like RH and Arhaus, and why he’ll be testing out a multi-brand showroom in Vegas for the very first time.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi
LINKS

Rock House Farm
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: Apartment Therapy CEO Maxwell Ryan on winning the new search game. Plus: Financial trouble continues for the D&D Building Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including he latest in the Kim Kardashian copycat lawsuit, a look at the D&D building’s new financial troubles, and a mid-year report card for home retailers. Later, Apartment Therapy founder Maxwell Ryan joins the show to talk about winning the new search game.

This episode is sponsored by Isla Porter.

LINKS
Apartment Therapy
Business of Home

What happens when you take a showroom on the road? Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

This spring, Thomas Lavin and Jobi Blachy of Quintus decided to experiment with taking their showrooms on the road, staging pop-up events in Southern California for local designers. The events were a success, and now they’re planning more—as well as a host of other concepts for connecting with the next generation of the trade.

On this episode of the podcast, they speak with host Dennis Scully about why designers will come out for an event but not a showroom appointment; what the mansion tax and the writer’s strike meant for the LA design scene; and what the Japanese concept of Kaizen has to do with running a showroom.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi
LINKS
Thomas Lavin
Quintus
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

Bernhardt's CEO: 'Furniture is a fashion business' Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

Founded in 1889, Bernhardt one of the oldest family-owned furniture companies in America (if not the oldest). However, under CEO Alex Bernhardt Jr.’s leadership, the company hasn’t leaned on its heritage—instead, it’s focused on aesthetics and staying ahead of the design curve. On this episode of the podcast, Bernhardt speaks about why he’s not stressed by dupes, why he believes the pandemic ate through eight or nine years of business, and why furniture is above all a fashion industry.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi

LINKS
Bernhardt
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: The story behind Thibaut's acquisition of Rosemary Hallgarten. Plus: The future of the family decorator Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including supply chain snarls that some are calling "Covid Junior," out of control home prices and the future of the family decorator. Later, Rosemary Hallgarten and Thibaut CEO Rick Kilmer join the show to talk about the deal that will see their companies join forces.

LINKS
Rosemary Hallgarten
Thibaut
Business of Home

Why The World of Interiors publishes everything from pigsties to palaces Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

Emily Tobin joined The World of Interiors in 2021 and has since earned a promotion to the top spot. Her mission is to preserve what makes the cult favorite magazine so delightfully unique while also delicately bringing it into the digital age. On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about the story behind Hamish Bowles’ tenure as editor in chief, why The World of Interiors didn’t have a website until 2022, and what’s behind the magazine’s incredible range—from dilapidated mansions to Madonna’s bedroom.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi

LINKS
The World of Interiors
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: Mitchell Owens wants to make antiques fun again. Plus: RH reports a loss Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including RH earnings, the latest AI design tools, and Tom Dixon’s unconventional strategy for fighting knockoffs. Later, journalist Mitchell Owens joins the show to talk about his new job as editor in chief of The Magazine Antiques.

LINKS
The Magazine Antiques
Mitchell Owens
Business of Home

Markham Roberts keeps calm and decorates on Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

An accomplished interior designer who cut his teeth working for the legendary Mark Hampton, Markham Roberts is known for rooms as refined as they are lively. His work has been widely recognized by the press, and he’s a regular on Elle Decor’s A-List and the AD100. On this episode of the podcast, Roberts speaks with host Dennis Scully about why clients having access to too much information is a double-edged sword, how publishing a book gave him three of his biggest jobs, and why, in interior design, staying calm is everything.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi

LINKS
Markham Roberts
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: Oka shutters, St. Frank is acquired, and Carpenters Workshop Gallery faces serious accusations Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including the shuttering of Oka, serious accusations against Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery, a new Havenly acquisition, and an “adventure” with RH CEO Gary Friedman.

LINKS
Business of Home

From historic renovations to TikTok, The Brownstone Boys do it all Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

Together, Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon—better known as The Brownstone Boys—have a unique hybrid business: a busy renovation firm that tackles historic restorations in New York City, and a fast-growing media presence that includes brand deals, TV appearances, and now, a new book. On this episode of the podcast, they speak with host Dennis Scully about playing “good cop, bad cop” on the job site, what Sesame Street has to do with brownstone renovations, and why they’re determined to keep going as both influencers and renovators.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi

LINKS
The Brownstone Boys
Dennis Scully
Business of Home