Business of Home Podcast Episode Summary Title: The Thursday Show: Are Designers Feeling Good About 2025? Plus: Loloi's New Brand
Host: Dennis Scully
Release Date: February 20, 2025

1. Introduction & Anecdotes

The episode kicks off with Dennis Scully sharing a humorous yet cautionary tale about a recent live interview mishap. Recording live at the New York School of Interior Design, Dennis was unexpectedly cut on his lip by wrapping material during an interview with the acclaimed designer Sheila Bridges:

Dennis Scully [00:57]: "I might have started bleeding from my top lip mere moments before the live interview began. But you know what, Fred? I'm a professional, okay?"

Fred Nicholas humorously adds:

Fred Nicholas [01:12]: "You were attacked by the wrapping on a lozenge. These are the hazards of interior design podcasting."

This light-hearted exchange sets an engaging tone for the episode, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of live broadcasting.

2. Recap of Previous Episodes

Dennis and Fred briefly revisit the highlights from Monday's episode featuring Benchmade Moderns with Dan Campbell. They discuss Artisan Lane's integration of American Leather, Lee Industries, and their direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand, Benchmade Modern:

Dennis Scully [01:40]: "It was interesting talking with Dan about both the marketing efforts that they invest in and what goes into turning this product around so quickly."

Fred complements this by noting the unique perspective Dan brings from his background at Holly Hunt, emphasizing the blend of traditional design passion with modern marketing strategies:

Fred Nicholas [02:17]: "It's a very crazy thing, and I have to confess, Dennis, you were saying that Benchmade Modern's ads were haunting you around the Internet... but they have good products, so I'm not mad at it."

3. Industry News Highlights

a. Houzz's State of the Industry Report

Fred introduces Houzz's latest industry report, revealing that designers are optimistic about business growth in 2025:

Fred Nicholas [05:12]: "Designers are feeling optimistic about business in the year ahead, according to a new study by Houzz."

However, Dennis remains cautiously optimistic, questioning the accuracy of past predictions:

Dennis Scully [05:31]: "I don't want to be a little gray rain cloud, but maybe we should be very, very gloomy."

Fred breaks down the survey data, highlighting that 70% of designers expect a 9% annual growth in revenue for 2025, a significant increase from previous years:

Fred Nicholas [06:00]: "Things are looking up, or at least people are looking up."

They discuss the potential overestimation of growth expectations, noting that previous optimistic predictions did not materialize as expected:

Fred Nicholas [07:45]: "Houzz designers had a pretty bad 2024 or at least a declining 2024, even though at the time people were pretty optimistic about the year ahead."

Dennis reflects on the ongoing challenges post-COVID and the difficulty in accurate forecasting:

Dennis Scully [07:00]: "A lot of it is likely to be tied to everyone still trying to navigate this post-Covid environment."

Fred emphasizes the variability within the industry, acknowledging that while some designers thrive, others struggle, particularly those in the middle and lower tiers.

b. Comings and Goings: Industry Hires

The discussion shifts to recent significant hires within the interior design industry:

• Baker: Eric Graham appointed as the new president. He brings extensive experience from companies like Syria, Jonathan Charles Century Furniture. Dennis expresses hope for Baker's revitalization under new leadership:

  Dennis Scully [12:13]: "I'm hopeful that the old Baker is going to make a comeback."

• Genesac: Bill Ward takes the helm as the new president, bringing his expertise from RH. The focus is on expanding their outdoor furniture segment, positioning Genesac as a key player in high-end outdoor furnishings.

• Tori Malott to Tuckernuck: Tori transitions from Frederick Schumacher's Design magazine to become the Home and Lifestyle Senior Director at Tuckernuck. Dennis praises her editorial background and aesthetic sense, anticipating significant contributions to Tuckernuck's home segment.

• Ben Reynard to Elle Decor: Formerly at Interior Defined, Ben returns to Elle Decor as the full-time market editor, signaling a strategic move to strengthen their editorial leadership.

• Assad Serket to Architectural Digest Italia: Former editor-in-chief Assad Serket takes on a guest editor role in Milan, expanding his influence within the international design community.

• Eric Hilton to Holland and Sherry: Eric Hilton is named Creative Director, a role perfectly suited given his deep understanding and longstanding relationship with the brand.

Fred adds insights into these hires, noting the strategic importance of bringing seasoned professionals into these roles to foster growth and innovation.

c. Navigating a Design Breakup

The episode delves into an article by Haley Chouinard discussing the amicable split of Studio Himat, led by designers Ava Bradley and Alicia Chung:

Fred Nicholas [22:01]: "It's rare for a Business of Home interview to have tears, but these two handled the split thoughtfully and strategically."

Dennis commends their maturity in handling the partnership dissolution:

Dennis Scully [22:21]: "Wow, what mature people they were to have handled this the way that they did."

They explore the challenges inherent in design partnerships, emphasizing the importance of clearly defined roles and mutual respect to ensure longevity:

Fred Nicholas [24:16]: "The best partnerships are those where people have very clearly defined roles."

4. Dopamine Decor Trend

The conversation shifts to the emerging trend of "dopamine decor," a movement encouraging design choices that spark joy and personal happiness. Inspired by an article in the Washington Post, Dennis and Fred discuss the balance between personalization and the prevalent neutral palettes dominating the industry:

Fred Nicholas [27:08]: "A lot of conversations about the neutrals running the world... how people are taking chances to bring some color into their projects."

They critique the often over-the-top interpretations seen on platforms like TikTok, advocating for a more nuanced approach:

Dennis Scully [28:58]: "How did we get away from this in the first place? How did we get away from our home supposed to be making us happy."

The duo appreciates the movement's emphasis on individuality and the departure from the "beige-ification" trend, highlighting the importance of personalized and joyful spaces.

5. Interview with Cyrus Laloy: Launch of June Laloy

Dennis welcomes Cyrus Laloy, co-founder of June Laloy, to discuss the inception and vision behind the new D2C brand.

a. Introduction to June Laloy

Cyrus introduces June Laloy as a sister business to Laloy, expanding into a comprehensive home furnishings brand encompassing furniture, lighting, decor, and art:

Cyrus Laloy [32:36]: "June Laloy is our sister business that's direct to consumer... total home furnishings brand."

b. Launch and Strategy

Discussing the genesis of June Laloy, Cyrus outlines the brand's mission to democratize good design by making high-quality, aesthetically pleasing products accessible and reasonably priced:

Cyrus Laloy [34:09]: "Availability... making good design available at a really good value and making it, like, pretty accessible."

He highlights strategic advantages such as leveraging Laloy's existing infrastructure and brand equity, allowing June Laloy to launch more seamlessly in the competitive D2C space:

Cyrus Laloy [34:41]: "Existing infrastructure, existing staff... makes the total overhead a little more palatable."

c. Collaboration with Heidi Kellyer

June Laloy's initial collaboration with renowned designer Heidi Kellyer is a cornerstone of their launch strategy. Cyrus emphasizes Heidi's authenticity and industry reputation as key factors in the partnership:

Cyrus Laloy [47:14]: "Heidi has reached such a peak in her career... she takes a bold approach to everything she does."

Dennis acknowledges the strategic choice of partnering with a respected industry designer rather than a mainstream celebrity, appreciating the authenticity she brings:

Dennis Scully [48:32]: "You chose somebody who is well known and beloved in the industry... I'm curious how you think about that."

d. Future Plans and Challenges

Cyrus discusses upcoming collaborations and product launches, including a rug and pillow collaboration set for February 24 and a spring line featuring dining room essentials launching on March 5. He also touches on navigating market challenges such as tariffs and inflation:

Cyrus Laloy [54:47]: "We don't have too much exposure to China, Canada, and Mexico... a lot of our products are made in the US."

He reflects on diversifying the business to mitigate risks and the importance of maintaining strong trade relationships:

Cyrus Laloy [41:33]: "Mutual exclusivity... good communication and keeping product lines separate."

Dennis and Cyrus conclude with optimistic outlooks, acknowledging industry uncertainties while emphasizing the importance of adaptability and persistence:

Cyrus Laloy [56:07]: "We got to come to market, we got to see fresh product, we got to be fresh, we got to be different."

6. Closing Highlights

In the final segment, Fred and Dennis share noteworthy industry happenings:

• Colin King's Tag Sale in NYC: A highly anticipated social event for designers and enthusiasts.

• House of Hackney's Fundraising Effort: The British textile company seeks to buy out private equity ownership through a fundraising drive.

• Rita Coding's New Column at Elle Decor: Rita begins writing about art placement in homes, adding valuable insights to the publication.

• Home Builder Confidence Dip: Recent statistics indicate a decline in home builder confidence, citing reliance on imported materials and concerns over high interest rates.

Dennis expresses concern over the lack of widespread optimism for 2025 within the home building sector:

Dennis Scully [61:17]: "Interest rates are still high, housing prices are still high, and people are not yet feeling like we've got the thrive in 25 mentality going in the home world, which is too bad."

Fred echoes the sentiment, aiming to keep listeners informed and grounded amidst industry fluctuations:

Fred Nicholas [62:47]: "I just want to keep people's feet on the ground, Fred. That's my mission today."

Conclusion

The episode of the Business of Home Podcast offers a comprehensive overview of current industry trends, significant personnel changes, and emerging design movements. Through insightful discussions and expert interviews, Dennis Scully and Fred Nicholas provide valuable perspectives for interior design professionals navigating the evolving landscape of 2025.