Business of Home Podcast

A veteran of the hospitality world, Nicole Hollis was part of the team that developed the W Hotels before going out on her own and pivoting to residential work. Over the course of two decades, Hollis built up an impressive firm, with a team of nearly 100 working out of her San Francisco office. Hollis herself has won numerous accolades for her work, including regular appearances on both Elle Decor’s A-List and the AD100. On this episode of the podcast she speaks with host Dennis Scully about how she built a big firm, step by step; why residential projects are more lucrative for her firm than commercial work; and why so much of her work with clients is about communicating the most information in the least amount of time possible. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Rowe LINKS Nicole Hollis Curated Interiors Dennis Scully Business of Home

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the industry, including the ongoing controversy over quartz countertops, why college students are embracing luxury design for their dorms, and how brown became the color of wealth. Later, stylist Mieke ten Have joins the show to talk about her new book. This episode is sponsored by Hartmann&Forbes and Chelsea House LINKS Mitchell Owens fundraiser Mieke ten Have Business of Home

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the industry, including Kaiyo’s abrupt closure, Ikea’s new secondhand marketplace, and a look at why Crypton is suing Williams Sonoma. Later, New York Times real estate reporter Debra Kamin joins the show to explore how a massive legal ruling has reshaped the way homes are bought and sold. This episode is sponsored by Surya LINKS Mitchell Owens fundraiser Debra Kamin Business of Home

A luxury resort tucked away in the foothills of Tennessee’s smoky mountains, Blackberry Farm defies easy categorization. Spread across thousands of acres, it encompasses everything from world class restaurants and spas to a fly fishing program, equestrian facility, farmstead and larder. Blackberry Farm also boasts a surprisingly robust design department, perhaps part of the reason why it has become a favorite getaway for luminaries in our industry. On this episode, proprietor Mary Celeste Beall speaks with host Dennis Scully about balancing different goals for different parts of the business, why it sometimes makes sense to spend on illogical investments, and the story of tragedy and resilience in her own life that underpins all of her work at Blackberry Farm. This episode is sponsored by Loloi LINKS Mary Celeste Beall Blackberry Farm Dennis Scully Business of Home

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including Perigold’s plans for brick-and-mortar stores, a housing check-in, and why the DCOTA is back on the auction block. Later, fashion designer Jenni Kayne joins the show to talk about her home line and her new hospitality venture. This episode is sponsored by Surya LINKS The Jenni Kayne Farmhouse Business of Home

Born in New York, Jamie Bush studied architecture in New Orleans before finally making his way to Los Angeles, where his career took off. His multifaceted work is regularly featured in national magazines, and his firm is featured on the both the AD100 and Elle Decor’s A-List. On this episode of the podcast, Bush speaks to host Dennis Scully about why interior designers sometimes get more respect than architects, his early days working for Kelly Wearstler, and why his philosophy, at heart, is simple: Leave everything better than how you found it. This episode is sponsored by Loloi LINKS Jamie Bush Dennis Scully Business of Home

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including another retail bankruptcy, why donating furniture is so challenging, and a look at how designers dress. Later, Rob Van Varick of Michael Graves Design joins the show to talk about the company's new accessibility collection with Pottery Barn. This episode is sponsored by Surya LINKS Michael Graves Design X Pottery Barn Business of Home

Ernie Hershberger is the founder and CEO of the furniture brand Abner Henry. Born and raised in an Amish community in Fredericksburg, Ohio, Hershberger grew up in his family’s century-old cabinetry workshop before launching his own furniture business. Over time, he got into the higher-end, custom side of the market and Abner Henry became a source for everyone from Sasha Bikoff to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In this episode of the podcast, Hershberger speaks with host Dennis Scully about challenging the perception around what Amish furniture is “supposed” to be, why he doesn’t believe in setting sales goals, and the surprising technology that powers his business. This episode is sponsored by Loloi LINKS Abner Henry Dennis Scully Business of Home

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including the return of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, some AI experiments from Houzz, and what a stock market crash might mean for designers. Later, real estate analyst Jonathan Miller joins the show to talk about whether the frozen housing market is finally heating up. This episode is sponsored by Surya LINKS Miller Samuel Business of Home

Hector and Emma Finch are the married couple behind the British lighting company Hector Finch. Started as an antiques business, the two have stayed true to their roots, producing a line of lighting inspired by classic early 20th century pieces. Today, the company's products are sold all over the world, including top showrooms in the U.S. In this episode of the podcast, host Dennis Scully speaks with the Finches about not getting hung up on knockoffs, the challenge of connecting with young designers, and why, no matter what the economic conditions, they’re focusing on slow-and-steady growth. This episode is sponsored by Loloi LINKS Hector Finch Dennis Scully Business of Home

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including a massive retail bankruptcy, the health of the high-end real estate market and the vanishing American porch. Later, Keith Granet of Studio Designer and Sarah Daniele of MyDoma join the show to discuss the deal that brought their two companies together. This episode is sponsored by Isla Porter LINKS Studio Designer MyDoma Business of Home

Laura Sotelo, Kendall Knox, Ben Knox are the founders of the buzzy brand Olive Ateliers. In 2021, as a side hustle, the three friends started sourcing vintage pieces from all over the world and curating them into biweekly “drops” in Los Angeles. Almost immediately, there were lines around the block, their site took off, and Olive Ateliers developed a devoted fan base including designers and celebrities alike. On this episode of the podcast the three speak with host Dennis Scully why they wanted to start their business quickly, why the most effective sales tool is storytelling, and why they’ve come to believe in “strong opinions, weakly held” This episode is sponsored by Loloi LINKS Olive Ateliers Dennis Scully Business of Home

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including a cyberattack on Bassett, a design software acquisition, and the fight over megamansions. Later, the founders of bathroom renovation startup The Unoriginal Bathroom Co. join the show to discuss their new venture. This episode is sponsored by Isla Porter LINKS The Unoriginal Bathroom Co. Business of Home

Jomo Tariku’s life and career have followed a winding path, from his childhood in Ethiopia to a design degree in Kansas and a stint in data visualization at the World Bank. Today, he’s internationally recognized as a furniture designer, with pieces in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Tariku is also the creator of an impactful 2020 study that demonstrated the startling lack of Black furniture designers working with major manufacturers. In this episode of the podcast, Tariku speaks with host Dennis Scully about why data is more powerful than anecdotal evidence, why he’s getting into wallpaper and other categories, and what it will take to truly make design a global language. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Isla Porter LINKS Jomo Furniture Jomo Tariku Dennis Scully Business of Home

BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including Etsy’s return to its artisan roots, surging home insurance premiums and key business lessons from the 50 States Project. Later, designer Susan Wintersteen joins the show to talk about founding Savvy Giving by Design. This episode is sponsored by Isla Porter. LINKS Savvy Giving by Design Business of Home

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

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

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

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

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