Stay up-to-date on the latest shifts inside Donghia, Steelyard, Luxe Interiors + Design and more in this month’s Comings & Goings roundup.
MEDIA & PR
Paul Makovsky has been named editor in chief at Contract magazine, following nearly 20 years at Metropolis.
After five years at the helm of Surface magazine, Spencer Bailey will be stepping down from his role as editor in chief. He writes about his reasons for the move in this article.
Katherine Scully will be leaving Interior Design Media, where she served as regional director for nearly three years.
Luxe Interiors + Design recently announced several promotions and a new hire. Former homes editor Brittany Chevalier McIntyre will become executive editor; Heather Carney, who most recently served as managing editor, will be executive managing editor. Filling the managing editor role will be new hire Nina Korman, who comes to Luxe after serving as editorial director at HOME Miami. On the sales side, Deborah O'Brien joined as Sales Director. Townsend Katz has moved from senior marketing and events manager at Luxe Interiors + Design to interior designer/project manager at Wesley Moon Inc.
New York City–based PR firm Upspring PR is kicking off the summer with a roster of new employees. Bridget Moriarity joins the team as communications director, while Ashley Howie, Selin Ashaboglu and Stephanie Ramirez have been named account executives.
Congrats to Julia Sag, who has been promoted from senior account manager at The Consultancy PR to account director, and Ellie Somerville McNevin was promoted to director of public relations at SCAD.
SALES, MANUFACTURING & RETAIL
Jennifer Potter and Audrey Margarite left their positions as CEO and creative director, respectively, at Bunny Williams Home, to co-found Fête Home, which will launch this fall.
Anthony Davey has been named CEO of Farrow & Ball, replacing Don Henshall, who led Farrow & Ball for eight years. Davey previously held executive roles at GHD and Procter & Gamble.
Jonathan Witmer left his role as president and CEO at Donghia after just over one year. Andrea Rubelli, chairman and former president and CEO, has resumed the role.
Textile manufacturer Carnegie has welcomed several new members to its team: James Kaplan, formerly of Tai Ping Carpets, has been named the company’s new CEO, and Cliff Goldman will now be the executive chairman. Randi Pastrovic will also join the company as vice president of brand strategy, adding to her more than 15 years of leadership experience at brands like 3form, Hunter Douglas and Herman Miller.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers recently announced the appointment of a new CEO: Thomas Galbraith, who comes to the Chicago-based auction house from art consultancy Twyla, will succeed Leslie Hindman in the executive role. Galbraith will lead the firm’s next phase of growth, following a recently received private equity investment.
Lowe’s new president and CEO, Marvin Ellison, is leaving his role as J.C. Penney CEO and starting at the home improvement retailer on July 2.
Fine textile source Castel has named Dennis Scully to vice president of sales and marketing. With more than 20 years of experience at brands like Waterworks, Twill Textiles and Avery Boardman, Scully will oversee the opening of Castel’s first flagship showroom in the D&D Building.
Mosaic manufacturer Artaic has welcomed Alexandra Thayer to its Boston design studio, where she’ll serve as a residential design consultant.
Hardwood flooring company Havwoods International has appointed its first marketing manager for North America, Dayna Fucarino. The announcement follows the debut of the London-based company’s first U.S. showroom, which opened in New York City last September.
Douglas Estremadoyro has been named vice president of business innovations at Four Hands. He enters the newly created role after holding management positions at Home Meridian International and Pulaski Furniture. The Austin-based manufacturer has also added Jessica Green to its management team, where she’ll serve as director of upholstery.
Following a departure from Hooker Furniture, Jon Witteveen will now serve as senior director, design and product development at A.R.T. Furniture. He will be based in High Point, North Carolina.
Designer resource supplier Steelyard recently named Derrick Ricketts to senior vice president, sales and business development. Ricketts comes to the team following his role as vice president leasing, home and design at the Dallas Market Center.
Contract furnishing company Arper has named Giovanni Peracin group brand and marketing director. He joins the Treviso, Italy–based team following positions at Loewe and Levi’s.
Handwoven carpet maker Obeetee has appointed Patricia Ben-Zvi, formerly of West Elm, to president. In the new role, she will handle the company’s product marketing and distribution for all of North America.
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
V Starr Interiors, the West Palm Beach–based firm founded by tennis star Venus Williams, has made several corporate shifts. Sonya Haffey has been promoted to vice president after nearly 10 years with the firm. Her previous role as design director will be filled by Holly Nixon.
Wan C. Leung has been named principal at Philadelphia- and New York City–based architecture firm Francis Cauffman. Leung, who recently held a senior position at Flad Architects, will be tasked with expanding the firm’s science and technology portfolio.
Architecture, interiors and planning firm HLW has welcomed Chris Townsend as senior associate at the Madison, New Jersey, office. With more than 20 years of architectural experience, Townsend will manage design and technical teams while also serving as a client liaison.
EDUCATION
New York School of Interior Design recently announced the appointment of Kelly M. Williams, a senior advisor of global investment and advisory firm GCM Grosvenor, as a member of the college’s board of trustees.
