Business of Home Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Why Benjamin Johnston aims for excellence, not perfection Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

Interior designer Benjamin Johnston began his career in architecture working in Japan for the renowned firm of Cesar Pelli. But he soon found himself drawn to interior design, and opened up his own shop in his home state of Texas. In a relatively young career, Ben has won wide recognition for his work—his projects have graced magazine covers, and he’s landed product deals with Chaddock and S. Harris.

On this episode of the show, Johnston discusses the problem of luxury brands not offering luxury service, learning to talk money with clients, and why he strives for excellence, not perfection.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Thibaut

LINKS
Benjamin Johnston
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: Jake Arnold is having a moment, a new award for up-and-coming designers and more Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including including the sudden closure of a North Carolina manufacturer, a new award for up-and-coming designers, and a look at how microtrends are changing the design industry. Later, designer Jake Arnold discusses the inspiration behind his new book Redefining Comfort.

LINKS
Jake Arnold
Redefining Comfort
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The state of the home industry with Alex Shuford of Rock House Farm Aug 07, 2023

Show notes

The last time Alex Shuford—CEO of Rock House Farm, the family of brands that includes Century, Hickory Chair and Highland House—was on the podcast, it was 2021, and the industry was riding high on the home boom while grappling with out-of-control lead times. Now, the situation is reversed: Lead times are far better, but demand has cooled.

On this episode of the show, Shuford gives a comprehensive look at the state of the home industry. He speaks with host Dennis Scully about the shifting balance of power between retailers and designers, leadership lessons from the pandemic, and why, despite short-term turbulence, the future is bright.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Thibaut

LINKS
Rock House Farm
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: How modern farmhouse style took over the world, lights out for incandescent bulbs and more Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including lights out for incandescent bulbs, the collapse of a major trucking business, and a look at what’s going on with Florida real estate. Later, New York Times real estate reporter Ronda Kaysen discusses the rise of modern farmhouse style.

LINKS
Ronda Kaysen
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

Elizabeth Graziolo: 'What your team really wants is more of you' Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

Born in Haiti and raised in a strict home where education was the focus, Liz emigrated to the United States as a young girl. After graduating from the prestigious Cooper Union, Liz ultimately became a partner at Peter Pennoyer Architects, where she would go on to hone her craft for nearly 20 years.

Ready for a change, Liz opened Yellow House Architects in February 2020, just as COVID-19 was about to shut down the world.

On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about hiring during the pandemic, the pressures that can come from winning early acclaim, and the realization that when you are running your own firm, there’s never enough of you to go around.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Daniel House Club

LINKS
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: Professor Annetta Grant on how media outlets like HGTV impact renovations Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including how industry brands are targeting Gen Z, the environmental consequences of home demolitions, and a look at our summer print issue. Later, professor Annetta Grant discusses her research on how media outlets like HGTV impact renovations.

LINKS
Annetta Grant
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

Jonsara Ruth: "Designers have a huge role to play" Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

Jonsara’s career took an unexpected turn following a business trip to China. There to oversee the production of a new furniture collection, she witnessed firsthand the environmental impact of the manufacturing process and it changed forever her outlook on how products are made. Today through her work at the Healthy Materials Lab, she hopes to steer designers and the industry in the direction of making choices that are better for people’s health and the environment. On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about the experiences that led to her current pursuit, what questions the industry can begin to ask about materials and ingredients, and the transformational role designers can play in changing the world.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Daniel House Club

LINKS
Healthy Material Lab
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: Felix Burrichter on the evolution of the Barbie Dreamhouse, commercial real estate's refinancing problem Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including Crate & Barrel’s answer to rising renovation costs, Banana Republic’s effort to build a lifestyle brand, and a New York magazine cover story that paints a stark future for commercial real estate. Later, Pin-Up editorial director Felix Burrichter discusses Barbiecore.

LINKS
Pin-Up Magazine
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

Ellie Cullman: 'Design is all psychology' Jul 17, 2023

Show notes

Ellie Cullman got into the profession through a chance encounter involving an ill-fated screenplay, but once she got started in design, her career took off. Over nearly 40 years in business, her firm, Cullman & Kravis, has earned a regular spot on the AD 100 and Elle Decor’s A List, graced countless magazine covers, and earned numerous awards for its work.

On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about her approach to hiring and retaining a great staff, how she’s reacted to ups and downs in the economy, and why design, at its core, is all psychology.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Daniel House Club

LINKS
Cullman & Kravis
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: A real estate check-in with Jonathan Miller, why Gen Z loves dupes and more Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including why designers are flocking to the new Threads app, an AI fabric generator and how Gen Z’s embrace of dupes is impacting the industry. Later, real estate consultant Jonathan Miller discusses the latest developments in the housing market.

This episode is sponsored by Four Hands.

LINKS
Miller Samuel Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants
Dennis Scully
Business of Home