Business of Home Podcast

Ray Booth’s career forms a perfect circle: At school, his first internship was with the legendary southern architect Bobby McAlpine. After moving to New York and working for John Saladino and Clodagh, Booth moved back and became a partner in McAlpine’s firm, where he’s stayed ever since. But Booth has also become a star in his own right—with a book, lines for Hickory Chair and Visual Comfort, and regular placement in top shelter magazines. On this episode of the podcast he speaks with host Dennis Scully about staying with McAlpine while building his own brand, how social media has made clients more difficult to work with, and how his new book, The Expressive Home, signals a new chapter in his career. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Crypton LINKS Ray Booth The Expressive Home Dennis Scully Business of Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including the history of the shelter magazine, a British design invasion, and how a warehouse fire is impacting Brooklyn’s artisan community. Later, stylist and author Colin King joins the show to talk about slowing down, starting a Substack, and breaking out of the 'beige box' the industry put him in. This episode is sponsored by Serena & Lily and Hartmann&Forbes LINKS Colin King The Last Layer Business of Home

Sarah Spiteri is the global brand director behind British shelter magazines Homes & Gardens and Livingetc. Livingetc is a modern creation, founded in the late 1990s to focus on contemporary style—but Homes & Gardens is an English institution dating back to 1919. After a ownership change, Sarah was tasked with revitalizing the print editions while growing the digital audience—she’s been hard at work, keeping both titles vital in a challenging media environment. On this episode of the podcast she speaks with host Dennis Scully about the surprising fact that the majority of her online audience is American, why she wants to democratize the English design scene, and why, despite being an iconic British magazine, Homes & Gardens is open to publishing great design from anywhere in the world. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Crypton LINKS Homes & Gardens Livingetc Dennis Scully Business of Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including the latest on inflation and interest rates, RH’s recent earnings report and what luxury means today. Later, Emily Henderson joins the show to talk about her new sofa collection and how she's reacting to the rise of AI. This episode is sponsored by Serena & Lily and Hartmann&Forbes LINKS Emily Henderson Business of Home

Like a lot of direct-to-consumer companies, Framebridge raised tens of millions of dollars to disrupt a stagnant industry—in this case, custom framing. Unlike many of its peers, Framebridge has managed to last: founder Susan Tynan’s company now has a sizable manufacturing operation, dozens of retail locations, and thousands of customers who frame everything from art to diplomas to matchbooks. On this episode of the podcast, Tynan speaks with host Dennis Scully about a new collaboration with Farrow & Ball, why she wants to open a lot of very small stores, and why she wants to reach the trade. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Crypton LINKS Framebridge Dennis Scully Business of Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including Google’s new AI tool, the state of domestic manufacturing, and whether clickbait is killing design. Later, Urban Electric CEO Dave Dawson joins the show to talk about his company's latest moves. This episode is sponsored by Serena & Lily and Hartmann&Forbes LINKS Urban Electric Business of Home

Alex Shuford is the CEO of Rock House Farm, a family of seven furniture brands that includes Century, Hancock & Moore, Hickory Chair and Highland House. Alex is a podcast regular—every year he comes on the show to share his take on the state of the industry. On this episode he chats with host Dennis Scully about why—even with plenty of domestic manufacturing—the tariffs are a disruptor for his business, why he’s excited about the possibilities of Perigold, and what designers need to know about this fall’s High Point Market. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Crypton LINKS Rock House Farm Dennis Scully Business of Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including fall trends from Pinterest, stolen images on Wayfair, and a look at whether home is the new fashion. Later, Matouk CEO George Matouk joins the show to talk about the impact tariffs are having on his U.S. factory. This episode is sponsored by Serena & Lily and Hartmann&Forbes LINKS Matouk How Tariffs Hurt My American Factory Business of Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including yet more furniture tariffs, a look at the state of housing, and how Kelly Wearstler is using AI. Later, artist and designer Rebecca Atwood joins the show to talk about her new book The Harmonious Home. This episode is sponsored by Ernesta LINKS Rebecca Atwood The Harmonious Home Business of Home

Heide Hendricks and Rafe Churchill are the married couple behind architecture and design studio Hendricks Churchill. Churchill came from a family of builders, and was already running a successful firm—but it wasn’t until Hendricks switched careers from art world PR to interior design that Hendricks Churchill truly came together. Since then, their ability to preserve architectural history while infusing it with a vibrant new life has won them a regular spot on Elle Decor’s A-List and earned them recognition throughout the industry. On this episode of the podcast, the pair speak with host Dennis Scully about why mutual trust is more important than any contract, their new hospitality venture, and why too many firms get obsessed with revenue and forget all about a more important metric: profit. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Blu Dot LINKS Hendricks Churchill Dennis Scully Business of Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including RH's new acquisitions, what's going on with Industry West, and what design looks like on Reddit. Later, legendary designer Charlotte Moss joins the show to reflect on a big anniversary and talk about her latest project, the Southern Living Idea House. This episode is sponsored by Ernesta LINKS Charlotte Moss Southern Living Idea House Business of Home

Born into a family of homebuilders, Ashley Montgomery knew what she wanted to do from a young age. After cutting her teeth in the industry, she launched her own firm in 2013, which exploded in popularity during the Covid home boom. Montgomery’s work has been published in top shelter magazines, and she’s inked a deal with Rizzoli for her debut book. Recently she and her husband and business partner divorced, leading to a challenging time both personally and professionally. But now that the dust has settled, Montgomery is opening up about how it made her stronger, and what lessons she learned along the way. On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about the differences between Canadian and American clients, why she doesn’t regret not charging a markup early on in her career, and how she fell in love with the business side of her firm. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Blu Dot LINKS Ashley Montgomery Dennis Scully Business of Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including the latest on tariffs, positive results from home retailers and a look at whether designers and brands can be sued for posting to Instagram. Later, Tim and Bo Stump of M&A advisory firm Stump and Company join the show to talk about the state of the furniture industry. This episode is sponsored by Ernesta LINKS Stump & Company Business of Home

Susan Ferrier’s career is somewhat unique in that she reached acclaim working for another firm—in this case, architect Bobby McAlpine’s. She spent nearly 20 years there, winning awards and building the design side of the business into a powerhouse. In 2018 Ferrier finally went out on her own, and has quickly built up an impressive firm, collaborating with Baker on a collection and creating rich, layered interiors inspired by a global palette. On this episode of the podcast Ferrier speaks with host Dennis Scully about how rising industry costs have made it harder to do great work, how she uses AI, and why her secret to success is being fortunate, prepared, and always saying yes. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Blu Dot LINKS Susan Ferrier Dennis Scully Business of Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including Wayfair’s surprising quarter, HGTV’s cancellation spree and how good ChatGPT is getting at design. Later, the founders of Chairish, Anna and Gregg Brockway, discuss their company's acquisition by Auction Technology Group. This episode is sponsored by Ernesta LINKS Chairish Business of Home

Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham first met at university, then went in different directions: Graham worked for Cindy Leveson and Salvesen for iconic English decorator Nina Campbell. Then in 2013, they came together to launch their own firm. Since then, Salvesen Graham has become known for creating English interiors with a fresh, approachable feel—spaces full of layered pattern, quiet color, and a touch of nostalgia. The two have also launched a product line, including a fast-growing fabric business which is set to expand here in the U.S. On this episode of the podcast they speak with host Dennis Scully about the differences between American and British clients, why they don’t mind being known for a house style, and why they entered their partnership slowly and deliberately—and how that’s helped it stand the test of time. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Blu Dot LINKS Salvesen Graham Dennis Scully Business of Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including the latest on tariffs, a recap of Vegas Market, and why Arhaus is suing RH. Later, Philippe Desart, managing director of wallcoverings brand Arte, joins the show to talk about betting on the D&D Building for a New York flagship. This episode is sponsored by Loloi LINKS Arte Business of Home

Jeremy Bilotti and David Rosenwasser met at Cornell’s architecture school and bonded instantly over their shared love of modernist design. Over the past 10 years, they’ve built Rarify into a unique and multifaceted company, one that combines vintage resale, e-commerce, a contract furniture dealership, and a retail store in Philadelphia—not to mention a popular Instagram account that draws millions of views for its deep dives into the past, present and future of great furniture. On this episode of the podcast, Bilotti and Rosenwasser tell host Dennis Scully how a $120,000 sale to a collector in the Philippines gave them the seed money to get started, why they’re looking to break up what they call the “commercial furniture mafia,” and why their ultimate ambition is to take what Knoll was in 1948 and remake it for the modern day. This episode is sponsored by Loloi LINKS Rarify Dennis Scully Business of Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including an AI report from Houzz, Loro Piana’s labor violations and a spirited defense of the china cabinet. This episode is sponsored by Loloi LINKS Perigold Business of Home

Chris and Nicola Cox met as young sculptors, fell in love, and eventually got married—but it wasn’t until 2004 that their creative partnership evolved into a business. Since then, Cox London has grown dramatically: Today, the two lead a team of more than 100, and their studio is known for crafting bold, sculptural pieces that often take cues from nature—like a 12-foot-tall iron and brass chandelier shaped like an explosion of magnolia blossoms. On this episode of the podcast, they speak with host Dennis Scully about the joys and challenges of working together as a couple, their efforts to support the next generation of artisans, and how they’ve navigated the transition from artists to entrepreneurs. This episode is sponsored by Loloi LINKS Cox London