This week in design, a cottage in the north of Ireland was raffled off for about $7 a ticket, and the prize went to a woman from Chicago (who happily accepted). Stay in the know with our weekly roundup of headlines, launches, events, recommended reading and more.

Business News
Last Friday, President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 50 percent tariff on the European Union on June 1 if a trade deal wasn’t reached within the next week, CNN reports. That rate would have more than doubled the 20 percent tariff the Trump administration briefly placed on the region in April before pausing the tax to allow for negotiations. Reuters reports that along with causing the three major European stock market indexes to sharply decline, the announcement prompted a quick downturn for shares of European luxury goods companies like LVMH and Hermès, which fell by around 3 percent and 4 percent, respectively. But this week, the administration changed its stance yet again: As The New York Times reports, the U.S. walked back its threat, stating that as negotiations continue, it would delay imposing the 50 percent tariff on EU imports until July 9.

A large share of home companies are struggling under new trade policies, according to a recent survey of more than 120 member companies in the International Housewares Association, which found that 87 percent had been significantly impacted by tariffs. As Home Textiles Today reports, among those companies that have implemented tariff-related business changes, 90 percent have had to delay or cancel product shipments, and 27 percent have had to reduce their workforces. Despite the 90-day pause in additional tariffs on China, many respondents—93 percent of which manufacture products in the country—are also anticipating that trade volatility will necessitate more operational changes in the future, including delaying or canceling product shipments (74 percent), shifting manufacturing to other foreign countries (60 percent), and shifting manufacturing to the United States (13 percent).

Vermilion Needlepoint Rugs has been acquired by The Wells Companies—a family of brands spanning textiles, showrooms, warehousing and full-service interior design—after more than 35 years under previous owner Ann Brandow. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. According to the announcement, the new ownership will place Vermilion under the Wells Textiles group, which also includes the brands Rose Cumming and Classic Cloth. Moving forward, Vermilion will continue employing its team of Brazilian craftswomen, and the company will be represented exclusively by the Wells Abbott showrooms in Chicago, Dallas, Houston and New York.

Pottery Barn has announced that it will expand into the U.K. this fall, launching an e-commerce site along with personalized online and in-person design services. As Retail Dive reports, the expansion comes amid an uneven period for the company, which saw net revenues decline by 5.2 percent last year. Still, Laura Alber, president and CEO of parent company Williams-Sonoma, expressed optimism about Pottery Barn on a recent earnings call, stating that the past year had been spent improving the brand’s margins and “setting the groundwork for growth with new product introductions and increased collaborations.”

Homeowners of color are more likely to face hazards like wildfires and extreme winds and heat, according to a new analysis conducted by Zillow with data from climate risk modeling firm First Street. The report found that 60 percent of Black-owned homes face major wind risk, compared to just 32 percent of white-owned homes; and 25 percent of homes owned by Hispanic households are at major risk of wildfire, as opposed to just 18 percent of white-owned homes. As Zillow senior economist Kara Ng told The New York Times, the disparities could have multiple contributing factors, including a history of discriminatory housing practices and the racial wealth gap, which often leads to fewer options for homebuyers of color. Facing heightened climate risks, these homeowners could also face further setbacks, such as high insurance premiums, costly rebuilding expenses and lower property resale values.

Southern California–based furniture retailer HD Buttercup is closing its doors, Home Furnishings Business reports. Following a two-decade-long run that began with the debut of its flagship store in Los Angeles’s historic Helms Bakery District in 2005, the company is shutting down in response to challenges brought on by recent tariffs and continued economic uncertainty. Along with liquidating all inventory at its L.A. and Costa Mesa showrooms, HD Buttercup is currently conducting a search for a potential buyer so the business can remain in operation.

Late last month, Dunelm, a leading furniture retailer in the U.K., acquired the intellectual property and design archive of British home decor company Designers Guild, The Times reports. The purchase price was not disclosed. Founded in 1970 by interior and textile designer Tricia Guild, the company quickly became a prominent name in the industry—offering textiles, wallcoverings and home accessories from more than 55 countries and supplying fabrics to the royal family under an exclusive license—before landing in financial trouble in 2023, when it saw sales slump and recorded a pretax loss of around $2.3 million, compared with a loss of around $20,200 the year before. Through the new deal, Dunelm will license the brand and archives back to the business, which will continue operating its shop and other business operations independently, with Guild remaining on as creative director.

Showhouses
Flower magazine announced that its 2025 designer showhouse will take place in Nashville, in a 20,000-square-foot estate. The home—which features six bedrooms, 11 baths, a wood-paneled study, a gourmet kitchen and scullery, and a two-stall barn and riding trails—will be reimagined by 23 designers, including Corey Damen Jenkins, DuVäl Reynolds and Meg Braff. The space will be open to the public Thursday through Sunday from October 9 through 26, with a portion of ticket proceeds to benefit The Next Door Recovery.

Recommended Reading
As Gen Z faces the prospect of competition with AI for traditional office jobs, many in the age group are reconsidering their next career step—and opting out of desk jobs entirely. For Inc., Kayla Webster unpacks a recent survey of 1,400 Gen Z adults, 37 percent of whom have bachelor’s degrees. Of the respondents, 42 percent are turning to the trades as they search for in-demand, hands-on work.

Dubai is synonymous with luxury in the Middle East, but its neighbors in Saudi Arabia and Qatar are quickly coming into their own as emerging hubs for interior design. For Women’s Wear Daily, Sofia Celeste explores how a growing demand for high-end branded homes, villas and apartments is driving a flurry of new trade fairs and retail openings in Riyadh and Doha.

Cue the Applause
The Female Design Council, which celebrates the work of women-led design studios, announced its 2025 FDC Award winners, chosen from among the exhibitors at ICFF last week. Myrto Grigori of Noiro Studio won best in lighting for her Capsula collection; Alex DelBello of Allybello won the flooring category for her rug designs; Kim Markel took home the furniture prize for her Glow chair; and Molo co-founder Stephanie Forsythe won Best in Show for the brand’s full installation.