After a seven-year term as senior design and market editor at Traditional Home magazine, where she had been considered by some to be the face of the brand (she was the most senior New York–based editor), Tori Mellott will soon be leaving the publication for a new role: style director at Schumacher, working with her longtime mentor Dara Caponigro.
Mellott’s new appointment at the storied fabric-wallpaper-trim house takes effect on September 10.
The Schumacher name is one with which Mellott has long been familiar: “I’ve admired the brand throughout my career,” she tells Business of Home. “When I started out as a junior editor almost 18 years ago, I would help sort fabrics and hand-deliver them to the showrooms. I was always mesmerized by the beautiful and unique swatches that landed in the Schumacher pile. Since then, I’ve used them in countless editorial stories and even in my own home. Needless to say, it’s been a long love affair.”
In her role, Mellott will be working on Schumacher’s publication, the Bulletin, which creative director Caponigro launched in 2015 with a team staffed by former Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, Veranda, Domino and House Beautiful editors. Mellott will also lead “a myriad of marketing, promotional and creative projects,” and will report to Caponigro.
The pair had worked together at Elle Decor at the same time, though they did not meet there: “She was always shooting houses while I was scouring the marketplace. It wasn’t until Domino launched that we worked closely together. We forged a very strong working relationship and friendship that’s continued over the years. Many of my favorite stories were ones with Dara at the helm. She has impeccable taste, and I’m thrilled to be working with her again in this role at Schumacher,” says Mellott.
“We’re thrilled to have Tori on board and know she’ll be invaluable as we continue to grow. We’re incredibly grateful to Traditional Home for their support and look forward to seeing the magazine continue to thrive under Jill Waage’s direction,” says Caponigro.
“Is the timing ever right? ... I thoroughly enjoyed my time at ‘Traditional Home,’ and I am so grateful to Jill Waage, Ann Maine and all of my ‘TH’ colleagues for a great run. When this exciting opportunity to work at a brand as legendary as Schumacher came up, I simply couldn’t resist.” —Tori MellottHow did Mellott determine the timing was right for the move? She says, “Is the timing ever right? That is to say, I don’t think most people plan strategic exits. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Traditional Home, and I am so grateful to Jill Waage, Ann Maine and all of my TH colleagues for a great run. When this exciting opportunity to work at a brand as legendary as Schumacher came up, I simply couldn’t resist.”
“Tori is an incredible asset to our team and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with her since I joined Traditional Home a little over a year ago,” shares Waage, who became editor in chief in February 2017. “Her eye for design is unrivaled in the industry. While we are personally sad to see her go, I could not be more excited for her editorial talents to thrive at Schumacher—a legacy brand that we are proud to feature regularly in the pages of Traditional Home.”
