Business of Home Podcast

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...

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...

After studying at Parsons and at NYU, the worlds of fashion and filmmaking first beckoned Miles Redd, but it wasn’t until he went to work for the legendary John Rosselli and Bunny Williams, that he knew he had found his place. His glamorous, vibrant interiors have earned him national press, a spot on the AD100, and collections with Schumacher and Ballard Design. A multitalented creative, Redd also...

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including a recap of the latest RH earnings call, the dark side of decluttering and takeaways from this fall’s Maison & Objet. Later, Washington Post reporter Rachel Kurzius discusses the slow decline of furniture quality. This episode is sponsored by Chelsea House LINKS Rachel Kurzius D...

Design historian Emily Evans Eerdmans is the author of a new book: Mario Buatta, Anatomy of a Decorator . In the later years of Buatta’s life, Emily was something of a protege to the legendary “prince of chintz.” Since his passing in 2018, she’s devoted herself to his legacy, organizing a blockbuster auction of Buatta’s estate and penning two books on his life and work. I spoke with Emily about ho...

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including the return of Modsy, an update on Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and a deep dive into why millennials are looking to the past for design inspiration. Later, M&A experts Tim and Bo Stump dissect a chaotic time in the furniture industry. This episode is sponsored by Chelsea House L...

Last weekend, the abrupt shutdown of retailer Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams shocked the industry. On a special episode of the podcast, co-founder and former CEO Mitchell Gold shares a candid look at what happened and his efforts to give the company another chance. LINKS Mitchell Gold Dennis Scully Business of Home

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including the sudden closure of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, the return of RH’s infamous catalog and a look at how Hollywood portrays interior designers. LINKS Dennis Scully Business of Home

DISC Interiors began as something of a professional blind date, when David John Dick and Krista Schrock joined forces for a modest project. The two have stuck it out and built a firm at the forefront of Los Angeles’ rising generation of designers. On this episode of the podcast, Dick and Schrock speak with host Dennis Scully about their new furniture showroom, why they don’t fear AI, and why embra...

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including Ikea’s latest moves, why homes are shrinking and what the latest TikTok drama says about online design culture. Later, retail columnist Warren Shoulberg shares his takeaways from the summer’s biggest trade shows. LINKS Warren Shoulberg Dennis Scully Business of Home

A protege of Victoria Hagan, Sara Story opened up her own firm in 2003 and has enjoyed a sparkling career. Her work, which often draws on fine art for inspiration, has won awards and graced magazine covers for two decades. On this episode of the show, Story speaks with host Dennis Scully about her first book, The Art of Home , the perfect length for a client meeting, and why in her spare time, pus...

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including why Amazon is quitting the furniture business, AI-generated building materials, and what dorm room shopping means for retailers—and designers. Later, designer Summer Thornton discusses the debut of Casa Rosada, her new hospitality project in Mexico. LINKS Summer Thornton Casa R...

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. Harr...

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 Arno...

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...

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...

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...

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 Busin...

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 ma...

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 P...

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 spe...

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 ....

Jean Stoffer’s career has caught fire in recent years, with the launch of a cabinetry business, big licensing deals, a store, and a popular show on the Magnolia Network. But it was far from an overnight success: for decades Stoffer patiently honed her craft as a kitchen designer running a small firm in the suburbs of Chicago. On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about...

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including out-of-control construction costs, some big retail moves and a viral TikTok mocking celebrities and their pedigreed wood furniture. Later, The Textile Eye’s Saana Baker shares what’s next in fabric. This episode is sponsored by Four Hands . LINKS The Textile Eye Dennis Scully B...

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including a surge in new home construction, Design Milk changing hands and why a white kitchen may hurt the value of a home. Later, BOH retail columnist Warren Shoulberg traces the rise and fall of Bed Bath & Beyond. This episode is sponsored by Crypton .   LINKS Warren Shoulberg Dennis...