This week in design, those looking to put a posh spin on their interiors may want to consider seeking out Kate Middleton’s go-to design boutique—where you’ll find treasures ranging from patterned papers inspired by the marble floors of St. Mark’s Basilica to an early-19th-century ceramic foot bath. Stay in the know with our weekly roundup of headlines, launches, events, recommended reading and more.
Business News
Last week, President Donald Trump announced that the United States and China had reached an agreement to roll back several trade policies and other restrictions implemented in recent months, The New York Times reports. Though the full details of the deal have not been released, its terms will include China easing its restrictions on shipments of rare earth elements, which are essential for products like smartphones, computers and electric vehicles. Meanwhile, the U.S. will relax limits placed on exports of domestic-made products and technology, along with proposed visa restrictions on Chinese students attending American universities. For the home industry, the biggest impact will be the return to tariff levels set by the two countries in May: 55 percent for Chinese exports to the U.S. (down from 145 percent), and 10 percent for U.S. exports to China.
In related news, this year, the U.S. furniture manufacturing sector may be facing a sharp decline in reshoring activity (in which domestic manufacturers bring production back to the States) and foreign direct investment (foreign-headquartered firms shifting production or sourcing to the country), according to the Reshoring Initiative’s 2024 annual report. As Furniture Today reports, the category had a strong showing in 2024, with 1,970 total new job announcements resulting from onshoring or FDI—though that number is set to decline 70 percent to just 600 jobs in 2025, a decrease driven by trade policy uncertainty, expiring government subsidies, and competition with less expensive production alternatives outside of the U.S. Elsewhere, the report found that reshoring and FDI efforts are increasingly motivated by tariffs, which are 454 percent more likely to be a motivator in early 2025 cases than in the prior year.
Dallas-based big-box furniture chain At Home filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week, Retail Dive reports. In its filing, the company reported having $2 billion in debt, which will be eliminated through an agreement with nearly all of its lenders, in addition to capital infusions of $600 million in debtor-in-possession financing ($200 million for restructuring and $400 million in existing senior secured debt). The filing cited waning consumer demand in the years following the pandemic as the primary source of the retailer’s financial struggles, with further challenges stemming from inflation and ongoing tariff-related uncertainty. At Home plans to close at least 26 retail locations out of its 260-store fleet by the end of September.
There were nearly half a million more home sellers than buyers in the U.S. housing market in April—the largest gap on record in seasonally adjusted data going back to 2013, according to real estate brokerage Redfin. As The Wall Street Journal reports, the real estate market remains stagnant despite the surplus of inventory, with sales of existing homes falling for the second straight month to become the slowest sales pace for April since 2009. The continued lack of activity is driven in part by high home prices—up more than 50 percent in the last five years—and mortgage rates above 6.5 percent, which have kept properties out of reach for many buyers, while others are avoiding large purchases amid economic volatility.
On June 25, Mason Lane Art Advisory founder Katharine Earnhardt—who works on projects across North America and the United Kingdom—shares her expertise on sourcing and selling art. Click here to learn more and remember, workshops are free for BOH Insiders
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California insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara has launched a formal investigation into State Farm after receiving an influx of complaints about the way the insurance company has handled wildfire claims in Los Angeles. As The New York Times reports, this marks the fourth time since 2014 that State Farm has been the subject of such an investigation, which is typically conducted in response to evidence of broad consumer complaints. In a statement, Lara said that his staff will investigate “troubling patterns,” including “frequent reassignment of multiple adjusters with little continuity in communication, inconsistent management of similar claims, and inadequate record-keeping.” As the state’s largest insurer—covering one out of every five houses in California—State Farm has an outsize effect on property owners in the region, where over 16,000 homes, businesses and other structures were destroyed by the fires.
Launches and Collaborations
Ruggable teamed up with U.K.-based tablescape and tableware brand Mrs. Alice to debut a new collection. The resulting assortment—which includes eight indoor rugs, two outdoor rugs and two doormats—features a modern interpretation of ikat and gingham patterns, with a cheerful pastel palette and garden-inspired motifs.
Pottery Barn partnered with fashion designer Cynthia Rowley for a home collection called Midsummer Night’s Dream. Evoking exotic travels with vibrant florals, patterns and intricate details, the array of plates, silverware, mugs, placemats and statement pieces brings Rowley’s sensibility into the home realm once more.
The Shade Store tapped Shea McGee, the co-founder of design firm Studio McGee, for a new luxury window treatment collection. Together, the collaborators created a selection of seven fabrics, each featuring their own unique texture or pattern—with a nod to McGee’s affinity for Americana and organic beauty—and available in an array of neutral hues.
Recommended Reading
The editors behind AN Interior—the Brooklyn-based biannual design magazine produced by The Architect’s Newspaper—celebrated the publication’s 10th anniversary by asking 14 writers, curators, directors, architects and anthropologists which issues and topics design media should address in the years to come. The resulting collection of submissions runs the gamut from reflections on what makes an image beautiful and examinations of consumerism to new perspectives on the inner workings of the design process.
As hurricanes, flooding and wildfires continue to sweep through communities across the country at an alarming rate, it’s becoming increasingly clear that climate change–induced extreme weather isn’t going away—placing a new importance on how architects, designers and homeowners protect themselves from natural disasters. To further unpack that idea, Apartment Therapy rolled out an editorial package including a mix of reported stories and personal essays that explore “what happens to our homes in a changing climate,” with topics ranging from new methods of disaster-proof construction and why 99 million Americans have to live in a climate danger zone.
Cue the Applause
Elle Decor has announced its 15th annual A-List, spotlighting standout architects and designers from across the industry. Among the 2025 cohort are several first-timers—including Toronto designer Montana Labelle, New York architect Annabelle Selldorf and Chicago designer Summer Thornton—in addition to veterans such as New York designer Alyssa Kapito, Los Angeles designer David Netto and Dallas designer Jean Liu. For the full list, click here.
Apartment Therapy has debuted its 2025 Design Changemakers list, which recognizes members of the design community who have made a meaningful impact on the industry. This year’s honorees include interior designer Gail Davis, interior and product designer Adam Hunter, and gallerist and Colony co-op founder Jean Lin. For the full list, click here.
Call for Entries
Modern Luxury Interiors has announced the launch of its third annual Design 9 Awards, recognizing excellence in luxury residential design across the country. The competition presents awards to architects, interior designers, builders and landscape designers from 10 regional markets. To make a submission before the August 8 deadline, click here.
