Business of Home Podcast Summary
Episode: The Thursday Show: Bernie de Le Cuona on her brand’s big move. Plus: A new deadline for the pause on tariffs
Release Date: July 10, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of the Business of Home Podcast, host Dennis Scully engages in insightful conversations with Kaitlyn Peterson, the magazine's Editor-in-Chief, and Bernie de Le Cuona, the founder of a renowned luxury textile brand. The episode delves into significant industry news, including updates on tariffs, highlights from the summer issue of BOH Magazine, a new designer-focused podcast, and a heartfelt tribute to the late Janice Langral. The centerpiece of the episode is an in-depth interview with Bernie de Le Cuona about her brand's strategic relocation and the challenges posed by ongoing tariff threats.

News Highlights

1. Tariffs Update
At [05:33], Dennis and Kaitlyn discuss the resurgence of tariffs under President Trump's administration. Originally, a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs was set to expire, but an executive order extended the deadline to August 1st. The U.S. is threatening to impose a 25% tariff on 14 countries if new trade agreements aren't achieved.

• Kaitlyn Peterson [05:33]: "President Trump's 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs was set to end this week until an executive order pushed the deadline back to August 1st."

• Dennis Scully [05:54]: Highlights the uncertainty surrounding the specific rates and the impact on materials like copper, mentioning that industries such as home building could be significantly affected.

2. BOH Magazine’s Summer Issue
Dennis and Kaitlyn delve into the first story of BOH's summer print issue, authored by show producer Caroline Burke, which explores the complexities of markups in the interior design industry.

• Kaitlyn Peterson [11:44]: "This is a pretty comprehensive primer on how markups work and how you can use them to benefit your business."

• Dennis Scully [12:44]: Emphasizes the article's exploration of various pricing models and the importance of data-driven decision-making in establishing markups.

3. New Designer Podcast: Interior Design Diaries
The episode introduces a new podcast, Interior Design Diaries, hosted by designer Lindsay Olsen, which features interviews with her clients about their design experiences.

• Kaitlyn Peterson [19:39]: "Lindsay Olsen is putting her clients in the hot seat on her new podcast, which is called Interior Design Diaries."

• Dennis Scully [19:53]: Intrigued by the concept, Dennis commends the approach of allowing clients to share genuine testimonials, enhancing trust with potential clients.

4. Tribute to Janice Langral
The podcast pays homage to Janice Langral, a respected figure in the design industry who passed away at 71. Janice's contributions as a marketing director and her role in founding Langral and Solis are highlighted.

• Dennis Scully [24:11]: "Janice touched everyone she met with her keen intelligence, quick wit, and endless generosity. She was a quiet force and a true professional. She will be missed."

• Kaitlyn Peterson [25:39]: "She's a wonderful woman. I think, you know, it was always a delight to work with her and I will absolutely miss her at industry events and on the phone and in my inbox."

Interview with Bernie de Le Cuona: Brand’s Big Move

Relocating to the New York Design Center at 200 Lex
At [27:12], Dennis welcomes Bernie de Le Cuona to discuss her brand's significant relocation from the D and D Building to the New York Design Center at 200 Lex. This move is positioned as a strategic response to evolving market dynamics and the need to better serve designers amid changing industry trends.

• Bernie Delicona [32:18]: "The world changed during the pandemic and everything that's gone on since then. The D and D has changed. A lot of people in the D and D said to me, it's going to turn around. Give it two or three, four years. I strongly believe that the future is 200 Lex."

Challenges Faced: Brexit and Tariffs
Bernie discusses the impact of Brexit and the uncertainty surrounding tariffs, which have influenced her decision to relocate.

• Bernie Delicona [30:15]: "I think with the tariffs, I actually understand why President Trump would impose a tariff. If there's a trade deficit, the way to get out of it is to impose tariffs. I understand that bit. I think the difficulty is the uncertainty because we're not sure is it 10%, is it going to be more?"

Strategic Advantages of the New Location
The new showroom at 200 Lex offers several strategic benefits, including increased foot traffic, support from the landlord, and an environment that attracts a younger customer base.

• Bernie Delicona [34:23]: "The building started to have a lot of empty showrooms. So on our floor there were quite a few empty showrooms, which is not conducive to business."

• Dennis Scully [35:31]: "What are you imagining doing differently there?"

• Bernie Delicona [35:56]: Highlights the comprehensive offerings at 200 Lex, allowing designers to access furnishings, fabrics, lighting, and more in one location, thereby saving time.

Adapting to Post-Pandemic Industry Changes
Bernie notes the shift in designers' behaviors post-pandemic, with designers having less time and a preference for online interactions, prompting her brand to enhance their support and samples delivery.

• Bernie Delicona [35:56]: "Designers seem to have no time at all. Much more so than before the pandemic."

• Dennis Scully [37:15]: "We send out more than double of the memo samples and cuttings than we did before the pandemic."

Handling Tariffs and Pricing Strategies
Bernie explains her brand's approach to absorbing some of the tariff costs to support customers, opting for transparency and minimal price increases.

• Bernie Delicona [44:07]: "We decided we would hold for a three-month period and just see how the land was lying then... we have not added that 10% tariff on. We did absorb it."

Future Outlook and Expansion Plans
Bernie expresses optimism about the new showroom's performance, noting strong initial traffic and orders. She also mentions upcoming events and the importance of showrooms in fostering client relationships.

• Bernie Delicona [42:10]: "The first full month we've had has been a fantastic month."

• Dennis Scully [48:05]: Discusses the role of the showroom as an event space to attract and engage clients.

Industry Updates

1. Acquisition in the Kitchen and Bath Sector
Kaitlyn highlights a significant acquisition where Emerald Holding, known for CKBis and the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, has acquired the Kitchen and Bath Canada Expo. This partnership aims to expand NKBA's programming to Canadian design professionals, enhancing learning and growth opportunities.

• Kaitlyn Peterson [50:01]: "Emerald Holding... acquired Kitchen and Bath Canada Expo... bringing the NKBA's programming to our neighbors up north."

2. Urban Electric’s "Current" Magazine
Dennis shares his enthusiasm for the latest issue of Current, Urban Electric's in-house magazine, praising its high production quality and innovative presentation.

• Dennis Scully [51:12]: "It's a cornucopia. And it is so beautifully executed. Kudos to Dave Dawson and the incredible marketing team there."

• Kaitlyn Peterson [52:10]: As a "paper nerd," she commends the magazine's inventive and high-quality execution, noting its potential as a new industry standard.

Conclusion

This episode of the Business of Home Podcast offers a comprehensive overview of current trends and challenges in the interior design industry, from the complexities of tariffs to innovative marketing strategies and strategic business relocations. The heartfelt tribute to Janice Langral underscores the community's tight-knit nature, while the interview with Bernie de Le Cuona provides valuable insights into navigating industry changes and sustaining business growth.

For further details and to stay updated with the latest industry news, listeners are encouraged to visit businessofhome.com.

Notable Quotes:

• Dennis Scully [05:54]: "This is a terrible reminder that, oh no, the president seems quite worked up about tariffs and is throwing a great many of them out as he did this past week."

• Kaitlyn Peterson [19:53]: "Lindsay Olsen is putting her clients in the hot seat on her new podcast... living, breathing testimonials."

• Bernie Delicona [44:07]: "We have not added that 10% tariff on. We did absorb it. And after three months I thought, oof, this is really hurting."