Business of Home Podcast

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. LINKSJamesDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

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 HandsLINKSTom DelavanDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

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.LINKSMcMillenDennis ScullyBusiness of Home   

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 HouseLINKSGreat Ocean Road AdvisorsDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

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.LINKSSandersonDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

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 HouseLINKSEmbelloDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

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 had a stint as creative director for Oscar de La Renta home and is the author of The Big Book of Chic.  On this episode of the podcast, he speaks with host Dennis Scully about rebranding his firm to include his partner David Kaihoi, the right way to leave a design firm, and how he’s ridden the economic ups and downs of two decades in business.This episode was sponsored by Lillian August and Hartmann & Forbes.LINKSMiles ReddDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

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 HouseLINKSRachel KurziusDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

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 how Buatta was able to find his way from a humble beginning in Staten Island to the upper echelons of Manhattan society, the rise and fall of English country style, and what young designers can learn from the industry’s last great eccentric.This episode was sponsored by Lillian August and Hartmann & Forbes.LINKSMario Buatta, Anatomy of a DecoratorDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

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 HouseLINKSStump & CompanyDennis ScullyBusiness of Home