Business of Home Podcast: How Pierce & Ward Went from Rock Star Clients to a West Elm Collab

Released on May 12, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of the Business of Home Podcast, host Dennis Scully engages in an insightful conversation with Louisa Pearce and Emily Ward, the dynamic duo behind Pearson Ward. As founders of a successful interior design firm, Louisa and Emily share their unique journey from managing high-profile clients to collaborating with a major retail brand like West Elm. Their story is a testament to enduring partnerships, innovative design philosophies, and strategic growth in the competitive interior design industry.

Origin Story: From Friendship to Partnership

Dennis Scully opens the discussion by delving into the origins of Louisa and Emily’s friendship and professional partnership.

• Meeting at a Birthday Party: Louisa clarifies, “When Emily and I met, no, I was not bartending. But we did meet at a bar... It was a birthday party where Emily met Patrick and Austin” (03:06).

• Building Friendships: Emily adds, “It was my birthday party. Oh, that's the night that I met Patrick and Austin” (03:37). From there, their friendship blossomed beyond casual meetings, laying the foundation for their professional collaboration.

• Move to Nashville: During a dinner party in Nashville, Louisa reveals, “I think we're gonna move to Nashville...” (04:20). This pivotal move was motivated by personal considerations and led them to immerse themselves in the local design scene, eventually sparking their passion for building dream homes.

Early Challenges and Design Philosophy

The initial phase of their partnership was marked by challenges and the development of a distinctive design approach.

• Building Their Dream House: Louisa shares, “I just started kind of drawing freehand... and I built my dream house, and it turned out really, really amazing” (05:26). This hands-on experience cemented their commitment to interior design.

• Embracing Constraints: Their design philosophy thrives on constraints, using available resources creatively. Emily explains, “It's really whatever was left on the bolt” (10:19), a characteristic often labeled as “granny chic” by the media.

• Balancing Styles: Louisa and Emily balance their contrasting styles—Louisa brings a “Southern feel,” while Emily infuses a “fresh, California Japanese feel” (10:28). This blend creates a harmonious and unique design signature.

Quotes:

“We find that the magic can come out of... something that's not overly planned.” – Emily Ward (11:35)

“We showed her, like, a couple of mood boards... had to go a different way than everyone else.” – Louisa Pearce (09:14)

Expanding Horizons: Moving to Los Angeles

Their relocation to Los Angeles marked a significant turning point, expanding their client base and opportunities.

• Initial Move and Growth: Emily recounts, “It was a summer thing and we thought that would be really fun... ended up doing a house for Colin and Sam Hanks” (14:20). Word-of-mouth from high-profile clients like Colin and Sam Hanks and Aaron Taylor-Johnson propelled their reputation.

• Managing Dual Locations: With Louisa moving further away due to family commitments, they adapted by heavily commuting and utilizing remote communication tools. Emily notes, “It's kind of fun, like when we go away to work in like, New York or something” (15:38).

Developing the Design Firm: From Small Team to Expansion

Pearson Ward’s growth necessitated expanding their team and operational capacity.

• Team Expansion: They discuss the challenges of scaling, stating, “We have to hire someone else. We need an in-house upholsterer” (24:49). Currently, their team includes about seven members handling design, store operations, and logistics.

• Store Launch in Los Feliz: Emily details their store setup, “We found a little spot in Los Feliz... It was a perfect location” (29:13). The store quickly became a hub for both clients and other designers, contributing significantly to their brand presence.

Quotes:

“We have multiple warehouses... know if it's going to look good with the barstools.” – Emily Ward (30:54)

West Elm Collaboration: A Milestone Achievement

A highlight of the episode is their collaboration with West Elm, a testament to their innovative design approach and industry recognition.

• Inspiration for Collaboration: Emily shares their admiration for existing collaborations, “Whenever someone had an amazing collaboration come out, we were like, God, we want to do one so bad” (34:15).

• Design Intent: Louisa explains, “We wanted it to feel like you could buy all these pieces from Pearson Ward, West Elm Collab, but they all look like they came from different places” (37:42). This approach ensures the collection maintains a curated, eclectic feel rather than appearing as a standard line.

• Balancing High and Low: They emphasize a balanced mix of high-end and accessible pieces: “It's exciting that other people can afford it and also that we can mix it with our home” (39:57).

Quotes:

“We wanted it to feel like vintage, inspired... not fake.” – Emily Ward (35:49)

“This high, low balance is also a really major part of our look.” – Emily Ward (39:57)

Operational Strategies: Warehouses and E-Commerce

Managing multiple warehouses and an e-commerce platform is integral to their business model.

• Warehouse Operations: Emily explains, “We have multiple warehouses servicing both the store and the E-Com business” (30:46), ensuring efficient handling of inventory and client requests.

• Custom Textile Development: They are venturing into creating their own textiles, aiming to stay fresh and innovative. Emily states, “We are making our own variation of it with our own colors” (42:01), highlighting their commitment to unique, high-quality fabrics.

Quotes:

“We find a lot of amazing things that are falling apart and revamp old things.” – Emily Ward (41:58)

Maintaining a Strong Partnership

Throughout their growth, Louisa and Emily emphasize the importance of trust, respect, and adaptability in their partnership.

• Trust and Collaboration: Emily remarks, “We really trust each other so much” (11:37), which is crucial for navigating the complexities of a growing business.

• Handling Challenges Together: They recount moments of crisis, such as painting their store floor with a baby strapped to Louisa’s front, demonstrating their resilience and teamwork (12:22).

• Continuous Learning: Both acknowledge the ongoing process of learning and adapting, ensuring their partnership remains strong and their business thrives.

Quotes:

“We always have the mindset that we should take the chance and if it's not right, we will fix it.” – Emily Ward (12:46)

“We treat each other well. We really respect each other.” – Emily Ward (44:07)

Future Aspirations: Expanding Their Impact

Looking ahead, Louisa and Emily express ambitious plans to further elevate their brand and influence in the design world.

• Potential Hotel Projects: Emily shares, “We really want to do a hotel of any size” (40:48), aiming to apply their design expertise on a larger scale.

• Continued Innovation: They intend to expand their custom textile line and explore sustainable design practices, reflecting their commitment to creativity and environmental responsibility.

• West Elm Collaboration Impact: The success of their collaboration with West Elm reinforces their belief in accessible, high-quality design, opening doors for future partnerships and projects.

Quotes:

“It's exciting that other people can afford it and also that we can mix it with our home.” – Emily Ward (39:57)

“It's something that we can really try to stay fresh in that way.” – Emily Ward (42:43)

Conclusion

Louisa Pearce and Emily Ward’s journey is a compelling narrative of friendship, creativity, and strategic growth in the interior design industry. Their ability to maintain a strong partnership while scaling their business across different locations underscores the importance of trust and adaptability. Through innovative design philosophies, strategic collaborations like the one with West Elm, and a commitment to both high and accessible design, Pearson Ward exemplifies how passion and perseverance can transform a creative vision into a thriving business.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “We just find a new way and it's gonna be more interesting.” – Louisa Pearce (09:59)

• “We trust each other so much.” – Emily Ward (11:37)

• “We wanted it to feel like vintage, inspired... not fake.” – Emily Ward (35:49)

• “We treat each other well. We really respect each other.” – Emily Ward (44:07)

• “We are just making our own variation of it with our own colors.” – Emily Ward (42:01)

About the Hosts and Guests

• Dennis Scully: Host of the Business of Home Podcast, focusing on interviews with leaders and innovators in the home industry.

• Louisa Pearce & Emily Ward: Founders of Pearson Ward, renowned interior designers known for their collaborative partnership and innovative design approach.

For more insights and detailed discussions on the latest trends and stories in the interior design world, tune into future episodes of the Business of Home Podcast.