Business of Home Podcast

Martin Ephson is a driving force behind not one but two well-known names in the design industry. In 1992, he and his business partner Tom Helme took over what was then a struggling historical paint company, Farrow and Ball. Together, they helped turn it into the powerhouse it is today—but they weren’t finished. In 2012 Ephson and Helme partnered again to launch Fermoie, a vertically integrated fabric and wallcoverings brand that has since grown by leaps and bounds. On this episode of the podcast Ephson speaks with host Dennis Scully about why so many British companies are coming to America; how the global decline of textile mills created a local opportunity; and why his leadership style boils down to a simple principle: Look after people, and they’ll look after your business. This episode is sponsored by Loloi LINKS Fermoie Dennis Scully Business of Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen discuss the biggest news in the design world, including the latest on housing, how to get hired in a slowdown, and whether are designers finally paying attention to accessibility. Later, designer Billy Cotton joins the show to talk about his latest collaboration. This episode is sponsored by Eichholtz and Renewal by Andersen LINKS Billy Cotton Business of Home

Mark Feng is the chairman and CEO of Markor, a conglomerate that includes a large retail and manufacturing operation in China, as well as brands like Caracole, A.R.T. Furniture, Jonathan Charles and Rowe. Markor was founded in a remote Chinese city in 1990 by Feng’s father, an artist and former interior designer. While it has grown into a sprawling international operation, Markor still retains its origins as an art-and-design-first company. Now Feng is looking to add technology into the mix with the launch of his own AI company, DecorX. On this episode of the podcast, he speaks with host Dennis Scully about the confusing state of the furniture industry today, balancing high design with commercial appeal, and why he thinks, over time, AI will transform every part of the industry. This episode is sponsored by Loloi LINKS Markor DecorX 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 breakout quarter, the rise of AI-generated video, and a drama-filled celebrity home tour. Later, BOH’s editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen joins the show to recap High Point Market. This episode is sponsored by Chelsea House and Newport Brass LINKS Business of Home

A household name in the industry and beyond, Nate Berkus rose to prominence in the early 2000s through his appearances on the Oprah Winfrey show. But despite becoming a celebrity in his own right, he never left the industry behind—he’s been a working designer for three decades, taking on clients, releasing collections, collaborating with his husband Jeremiah Brent, and publishing his own work to widespread acclaim. On this episode of the podcast Berkus speaks with host Dennis Scully about his lifelong obsession with antiques; his new book on the foundations of a great home; and why, despite having every opportunity to ditch the grind of client work, he lives for the daily challenges of being a designer. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Hector Finch LINKS Nate Berkus Foundations Dennis Scully Business of Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including price hikes from Ikea, furniture from Quince, and a look at why design might be moving on from the straight line. Later, Havenly founder and CEO Lee Mayer joins the show to discuss her company’s new AI design tool. This episode is sponsored by Chelsea House and Newport Brass LINKS Havenly Business of Home

Jamb is a unique British company, offering everything from 17th century fireplaces to modern day reproduction furniture. Its founder, Will Fisher, fell in love with antiques at a young age, working at Christie’s as a teenager. He built up Jamb piece by piece, starting as a “man with a van” solo dealer, growing his trade and eventually getting into producing reproductions. Today, alongside his wife and business partner Charlotte Freemantle, Fisher is a leading figure in the British design establishment. On this episode of The Business of Home Podcast, he speaks with host Dennis Scully about why he doesn’t rely on online listings to buy antiques; his hopes for the next generation of connoisseurs; and why, no matter how much Jamb has grown, he still thinks of himself as a man with a van. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Hector Finch LINKS Jamb Dennis Scully Business of Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including Kelly Wearstler’s new venture, a housing check-in, and a look at whether great rooms need to be photogenic. Later, Cultured founder Sarah Harrelson joins the show to talk about her new home publication. This episode is sponsored by Chelsea House and Newport Brass LINKS Cultured Business of Home

Corey Damen Jenkins’ design career famously started in 2008, when he vowed to knock on 800 doors to find a client in the middle of the Great Recession. On the 779th door, he found one. Since then, client by client, project by project, Jenkins has risen to the top of the industry—he’s one of a small handful of designers with a MasterClass, he’s on the Elle Decor A-List and the AD100, and his second book, Design Reimagined, just hit shelves. On this episode of the podcast, Jenkins speaks with host Dennis Scully about how the Kips Bay Show House launched his career, why he tries to run his business on what he calls the ‘Mariah Carey principle,’ and why he’s all in on everything he does. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Hector Finch LINKS Corey Damen Jenkins Design Reimagined Dennis Scully Business of Home https://coreydamenjenkins.com/

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including a new salary report from the ASID, changes at Afternoon Light, and a look at Kips Bay’s 50th anniversary. Later, event planner and designer Rebecca Gardner shares insight from her career, alongside tips for crafting the perfect party. This episode is sponsored by Chelsea House and Newport Brass LINKS Rebecca Gardner - Houses & Parties A Screaming Blast Business of Home

The great granddaughters of Winston Churchill, Sisters Flora and Gemma Soames grew up in an English country house full of china, chintz and family heirlooms. After school they each followed their own paths, but eventually two personal tragedies brought them back together. Now, Flora designs textiles while also running her own acclaimed decorating firm, while Gemma handles the operations of what has become a fast-growing fabric business. On this episode of the podcast, they speak with host Dennis Scully about working together as sisters, why they’re expanding in the U.S. market, and why the key to British style is mixing the ordinary with the extraordinary. This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Hector Finch LINKS Flora Soames Dennis Scully Business of Home

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including new tariffs targeting the home industry, MillerKnoll’s latest earnings report and what’s behind the enduring popularity of millennial gray. Later, designer Alexa Hampton joins the show to talk about the Kips Bay Decorator Show House—including her family history with the event, how it benefits the local community and what it can mean for a designer’s career. This episode is sponsored by Chelsea House and Newport Brass LINKS Alexa Hampton Business of Home

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