This week in design, Claude Lalanne followed up a record-breaking Sotheby’s auction with an appearance on the Met Gala red carpet—in a reference made by Hailey Bieber’s gown. Stay in the know with our weekly roundup of headlines, launches, recommended reading and more.
Business News
A federal court ruled last week that the Trump administration’s global tariffs—issued in February to replace the sweeping levies struck down by the Supreme Court—are also “invalid” and “unauthorized by law,” AP reports. The new tariffs involved a temporary 10 percent global duty set to expire at the end of July, and were invoked under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974—a legal justification that the Court of International Trade ultimately deemed insufficient, as it was not intended to correct trade deficits. Though the immediate ruling only applies to three parties who originally sued in opposition to the new tariffs—the state of Washington and two small businesses—it could set a new precedent for future challenges and another round of widespread refunds. In the meantime, a U.S. appeals court has already temporarily paused the lower court’s ruling, issuing a short-term administrative stay and considering a longer-term pause, Reuters reports.
Emerald Holding—the event producer behind the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, the Kitchen & Bath Canada Expo, and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, among others—has been acquired by investment firm Apollo Global Management, The Wall Street Journal reports. The deal values Emerald at roughly $1 billion, with shareholders expected to receive $5.03 in cash per share. In a separate deal, Apollo acquired privately held B2B publishing and events company Questex from MidOcean Partners, and will combine the business with Emerald to create a platform with approximately 160 events.
Major changes at the top are coming for Andmore, as the trade show and market center operator announced this week that CEO Jon Pertchik will be retiring effective May 31. In his place, Andmore’s board of directors has assembled an executive committee comprised of leaders within the organization—including Amory Wooden, newly-promoted chief revenue officer; Greg Avitabile, president and chief operations officer; Robert Klein, chief financial officer; and Ximena Juncosa, chief human resources officer. Moving forward, the newly-established committee will report directly to the board, including executive chairman Bob Maricich and investment firm Blackstone, which acquired Andmore in 2017.
In its latest earnings call last week, Whirlpool announced that it would increase list prices for its appliances by about 4 percent in July, citing the impact of the Iran war and the “recession-level industry decline” it has created for the category, The Wall Street Journal reports. Company officials from the Michigan-based appliance manufacturer pointed to a decline in U.S. consumer confidence since the beginning of the conflict, which has further exacerbated existing issues that stem from the stagnant housing market—leading customers to veer away from big-ticket purchases like refrigerators and washing machines. Whirlpool also issued plans to suspend its dividend and focus on reducing its debt, cutting its full-year earning guidance nearly in half, from $6 a share to $3 to $3.50. Following the news, the company’s stock dropped 20 percent.
For the first time, Amazon has opened up its logistics services to all companies, rather than limiting the offering to those selling on the company’s e-commerce platform, Retail Dive reports. The Amazon Supply Chain Services network includes more than 200 U.S. fulfillment centers, in addition to fleets of trailers, intermodal containers and aircraft. A number of brands and manufacturers have already joined the service, including Procter & Gamble, 3M, American Eagle Outfitter and Lands’ End.
Howard Miller is relaunching under new ownership, beginning a new chapter for the Michigan-based furniture manufacturer less than a year after it announced it would be shutting down, Furniture Today reports. Last July, the nearly 100-year-old company said that it would be winding down operations and closing its manufacturing facilities by early this year, citing the poor housing market, tariffs, increased inflation and rising interest rates. Now, the company will resume operations under a group led by several West Michigan business leaders and former Howard Miller executive Jim O’Keefe, who will also serve as president of the relaunched venture. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. New product introductions—particularly in the brand’s formerly established categories of wall storage and clocks—are expected by the end of this year.
Michael Anastassiades announced last week that he is closing his eponymous lighting brand, Wallpaper reports. Established in 2006, the company became the launchpad for a number of iconic creations, and later led to the designer’s long-term collaboration with Italian lighting manufacturer Flos. “What comes next for me as a designer is a deeper focus on the creative process, and the freedom to explore new directions in design, in all its forms,” Anastassiades wrote in a statement announcing the closure. A sample sale is planned for May 14 through 16 at his London studio, where he will continue to make limited-edition furniture and lighting.
Arhaus released its latest earnings report this week, revealing just a few bright spots among an overall challenging quarter. On the whole, sales were down year over year, as comparable delivered sales decreased 1.7 percent and written sales fell 5.7 percent. Adjusted EBITDA was down 3.1 percent to $18 million, while gross margin fell 1 percent to $114 million and net and comprehensive income declined 54.5 percent to $2 million. Still, the company saw net revenue increase 0.9 percent to $314 million—the highest first-quarter net revenue in the company’s history.
Launches and Collaborations
Luxury staging and design platform Vesta Home has teamed up with real estate auction house Concierge Auctions for a new partnership that provides fully furnished properties to the $10 million–plus market. The Concierge Curated offering will outfit the auction house’s high-end properties with custom furnishings and decor courtesy of Vesta at no cost to the seller, and will offer buyers the opportunity to purchase the home’s interior inventory for a move-in-ready solution.
Lifestyle brand Friend of Mine, launched by content creator Kenzie Elizabeth, has entered the home category with a new collection of tabletop items. The assortment of table linens, placemats and dish towels feature the brand’s custom toile, available in soft baby blue and rich brown hues.
Rocco—the brand behind the Super Smart Fridge—has released a limited-edition version of its signature drinks fridge inspired by USM’s Haller system. Designed by Fritz Haller in 1963, the piece’s chrome steel tube framework is reinterpreted in the fridge’s polished chrome handles and legs as well as a warm, neutral color scheme drawn from USM’s palette.
Recommended Reading
In 1883, the family behind a farming machinery foundry created a bathtub by adding enamel and four legs to a cast iron horse trough—thus, the Kohler brand was born. Four generations later, the company’s focus has expanded to transforming the residential bathroom into a wellness hub. In conversation with Women’s Wear Daily’s Sofia Celeste, CEO David Kohler dives into the brand’s next chapter, with a focus on using a blend of smart tech, health and sustainability initiatives to drive innovation.
In 1849, the discovery of gold in California triggered one of the largest migrations in U.S. history, drawing countless Americans who dreamed of striking it rich. After the price of gold hit a record $5,000 an ounce earlier this year, history seems to be repeating itself. For The New Yorker, Jennifer Wilson explores a growing fascination with prospecting, which has driven up mining permit applications and spawned a cottage industry of resources for those taking part in the new gold rush.
Twenty years ago, China’s fast-growing furniture manufacturing operations helped the country become a key global supplier of home goods, wiping out numerous U.S. producers in the process. Now, the economic landscape has changed—and it’s China’s furniture capital, Foshan, that’s struggling to remain relevant. For The Wall Street Journal, Hannah Miao examines how new Trump administration tariffs and China’s shifting industrial priorities have forced the country’s furniture manufacturers to shift upmarket in hopes of recapturing sales.
Cue the Applause
The James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation has announced the recipients of its annual fellowship program, funding the work of mid-career professionals in the fields of historic preservation and design. The 2026 honorees include Columbus, Indiana–based Richard McCoy, whose project will explore public participation and civic life; and Bethesda, Maryland–based Nakita Reed, whose project will investigate resources for the preservation of historic buildings in the face of climate change.
Call for Entries
The International Society of Furniture Designers is now accepting entries for the 2026 Pinnacle Awards. The program includes two categories this year: one for professional furniture and textile designers and manufacturers, and the other for artisans who create pieces for custom orders or small production runs. The submitted products must be home furnishings, decor or textile products that have been available for retail sale in the last year. The competition is also open to furniture or industrial design students, who can apply for the John Conrad Student Competition. For more information, or to make a submission before the July 31 deadline, click here.
