Business of Home Podcast

The Business of Home Podcast will return with a new episode next week. In the meantime, enjoy this conversation with designer Ben Pentreath, which originally aired in February. In an era when most designers pick a niche, Ben Pentreath is a proud generalist—his work spans everything from housing developments to private homes to a quirky retail operation, Pentreath & Hall. One of his most well-known projects is not a house but an entire village—Poundbury, a planned community in England championed by King Charles. However, Pentreath’s work for private clients is also highly celebrated, and he’s a regular on industry best-of lists.  On this episode of the podcast, he speaks with host Dennis Scully about the personal tragedy that prompted him to develop a succession plan, why he takes every email inquiry seriously, and why American designers can never quite nail English style.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and John Rosselli & AssociatesLINKSBen PentreathDennis ScullyBusiness of Home 

To look back on a busy year in the design industry, three members of Business of Home’s editorial team join the podcast this week: Editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen, retail columnist Warren Shoulberg, and Executive Editor Fred Nicolaus. Together with host Dennis Scully they go over the topics that mattered most—from tariffs to design centers to rising prices to AI. The team also looks ahead to 2026, and makes a prediction or two about what’s to come.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and John Rosselli & AssociatesLINKSDennis ScullyBusiness of Home 

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including the death of house-flipping, RH’s latest earnings report and a new online scam targeting designers.This episode is sponsored by Joon Loloi and Programa (use code BOH25 for 25% off)LINKSBusiness of Home

Raised in Southern California and France, Jessica Helgerson had a unique upbringing—eventually she found her way to design and started her own firm in 2000, moving it to Portland, Oregon six years later. There, she’s built a reputation around her thoughtful, layered work, and her values—Helgerson’s 1% Project sees her donating a portion of the invoices on her projects to local nonprofits. On this episode of the podcast she speaks with host Dennis Scully about her recent induction into the AD100; opening an outpost of her firm in Paris; and why she has two bosses on every project: the client and the house itself. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and John Rosselli & AssociatesLINKSJessica HelgersonDennis ScullyBusiness of Home 

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including another rate cut from the Fed, Pantone’s controversial pick for Color of the Year, and what matters more for designers—their portfolio, or their personality? Later, Michael Phillips, the president of Jamestown, joins the show to discuss the future of design centers. This episode is sponsored by Joon Loloi and Programa (use code BOH25 for 25% off)LINKSJamestownBusiness of Home

Dan Fink’s career began in Silicon Valley—after graduating from Stanford, working as a personal assistant for a tech executive led to design projects, which led to more design projects. Since officially starting his firm in 2010, Fink has been one of the industry’s rising stars, meticulously executing high-profile work across the country and appearing on best-of lists, like the AD100.  On this episode of the podcast he speaks with host Dennis Scully about why he shies away from social media, the two qualities he looks for when hiring an employee, and why the best advice to young designers is to just say yes.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and John Rosselli & AssociatesLINKSDan FinkDennis ScullyBusiness of Home 

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including a surprising AI study, why Zillow is walking back a climate risk feature, and what happens when decor scares away home buyers. Later, columnist Warren Shoulberg joins the show to talk about the state of home retail. This episode is sponsored by Joon Loloi and Programa (use code BOH25 for 25% off)LINKSWarren ShoulbergBusiness of Home

Thomas Pheasant has built his career in Washington D.C., and though projects now take him all over the world, his work still reflects the serene, classical style of the nation’s capital. Along the way, Pheasant has won several awards for his work, spent over a decade on the AD100, and designed blockbuster collections for Baker and McGuireOn this episode of the podcast he speaks with host Dennis Scully about the new licensed line he’s working on, why young designers shouldn’t rush to publish their work, and why it’s so important to take time away from the daily grind of running a firm to stay creatively refreshed and inspired. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and John Rosselli & AssociatesLINKSThomas PheasantDennis ScullyBusiness of Home 

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including Stark’s latest acquisition, why Williams-Sonoma is suing Quince, and whether tariffs will have an impact on style.This episode is sponsored by Renewal by Andersen and Eichholtz. LINKSBusiness of Home

Founded in Atlanta in the 1970s, Jerry Pair evolved alongside the design industry itself, starting as a small road rep operation and growing into a Southern institution. Current owner Dan Cahoon joined in the 1990s, helping to expand the business and bring it into the 21st century—navigating technological change, a recession, and a pandemic.On this episode of the podcast he speaks with host Dennis Scully about how pricing has changed over the years, why he launched both a leather business and a software company, and why, no matter what changes in the industry, showrooms will always have a role to play. This episode is sponsored by LoloiLINKSJerry PairDennis ScullyBusiness of Home