Business of Home Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Cara Woodhouse on the many paths to success in the design industry Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

Known for her striking use of materials and bold style, interior designer Cara Woodhouse is proof that there’s no single path to success in the design industry—she’s overseen large firms and small firms, developed product lines, dabbled in e-commerce, real estate development and even created a jewelry line.

On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about how building an instagram following changed her aesthetic, finding the right size for her firm, and why, whenever there’s a rule, she wants to break it.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi Rugs and Hector Finch.

LINKS
Cara Woodhouse
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: High Point highlights, Z Gallerie goes bankrupt and more Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including Z Gallerie's bankruptcy, Walmart's AI design experiment, and a look at the latest housing numbers. Later, BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen and retail columnist Warren Shoulberg recap High Point Market.

This episode is sponsored by Four Hands and Design Manager

LINKS
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

Anthony Baratta scaled his firm way back. He's never been happier Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

As one half of the acclaimed duo Diamond Baratta, Anthony Baratta spent his early career at the top of the design world. The firm’s joyously colorful spin on classic American design won it constant press coverage and countless accolades. But after the departure and tragic passing of his partner William Diamond, Baratta had to reinvent the firm, and himself.

On this episode of the podcast, he speaks with host Dennis Scully about going through difficult times and coming out on the other side, why he doesn’t worry about getting published anymore, and why scaling his firm back has made him happier than ever.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi Rugs and Hector Finch.

LINKS
Anthony Baratta
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: These two entrepreneurs are shaking up the showroom model. Plus: An iconic wallpaper brand changes hands and more Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including some new developments with the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams bankruptcy case, the acquisition of an iconic wallpaper brand, and a look at what’s selling in the world of vintage furniture. Later, BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen discusses the magazine's fall technology issue, and entrepreneurs Anderson Somerselle and Nancy Evars join the show to share their thoughts on shaking up the multiline showroom model.

This episode is sponsored by Four Hands and Design Manager

LINKS
Somerselle
The Evars Collective
BOH's Fall Technology Issue
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

How a designer and a Navy pilot built one of the industry’s buzziest showrooms Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

Hunter and Meredith Ellis are the husband-and-wife team behind the James network of showrooms. The Ellises make for an intriguing pair: Before starting James, Meredith was a designer—Hunter was a news anchor and navy pilot. Together they’ve created a fast-growing, much-admired showroom business with locations in Austin, Dallas, Houston and soon, New York.

On this episode of the podcast, the Ellises speak with host Dennis Scully about what the design industry can learn from the military, the pros and cons of digitally printed fabric, and why the two of them want to bring a touch of Texas hospitality to the Big Apple.

This episode was sponsored by Loloi Rugs and Hector Finch.

LINKS
James
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: T Magazine design editor Tom Delavan can afford to be picky. Plus: Banana Republic is taking home seriously and more Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including Shopify and Faire teaming up, an illness afflicting quartz fabricators, and Banana Republic's big push into home. Later, T Magazine design editor Tom Delavan joins the show and shares his thoughts on ivory boucle, quiet luxury, and what it takes for a project to catch his eye.

This episode is sponsored by Four Hands

LINKS
Tom Delavan
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

How do you build a design firm that lasts 100 years? Ask McMillen Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

There are long-lived design firms, and then there’s McMillen: The venerable New York institution is currently celebrating its 99th year in business. Along the way McMillen has served as a proving ground for designers like Mark Hampton and Albert Hadley, and completed projects for everyone from Babe Paley to Microsoft’s Paul Allen.

McMillen is not a family firm, but president Ann Pyne and her daughter Elizabeth Pyne both grew up in the business and are steeped in its traditions and lore. On this episode of the podcast they speak with host Dennis Scully about why interior design is more about people than product, why they’re not worried about the rise of artificial intelligence, and what it takes for a design business to last a century.

This episode was sponsored by Lillian August and Hartmann & Forbes.

LINKS
McMillen
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: What's behind RH's stock market slide? Plus: Kelly Wearstler tries AI and more Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including some new developments at High Point Market, what neuroscience can tell us about it, and why Kelly Wearstler is experimenting with AI. Later, furniture industry investor James O'Brien, the portfolio manager at Great Ocean Road Advisors, joins the show to share his thoughts on RH's recent slide, and what the stock market can tell us about the home business.

This episode is sponsored by Chelsea House

LINKS
Great Ocean Road Advisors
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

Sanderson's CEO is bringing the secrets of the LVMH playbook to home Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Lisa Montague is the CEO of Sanderson, the design group that includes Zoffany, Morris and Co, and Clark and Clark, but her own background is not in home but in luxury fashion. Montague spent her early career at Mulberry and then at the LVMH-owned Spanish brand Loewe, acquiring a reputation as a specialist in breathing new life into heritage companies.

On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about the secrets of the LVMH playbook, a surprising collaboration with Disney, and why the slow pace of the home industry can sometimes be a good thing.

This episode was sponsored by Lillian August and Hartmann & Forbes.

LINKS
Sanderson
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: Do virtual showhouses have a future? Plus: The end of ivory boucle and more Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including another furniture acquisition, some surprising housing numbers, and why ivory boucle may finally be on its way out. Later, Laiza Cors of influencer marketing agency Embello shares why she thinks virtual showhouses have a future.

This episode is sponsored by Chelsea House

LINKS
Embello
Dennis Scully
Business of Home