
Success by the Yard
01/21/20 • 48 min
Host Michael Boodro questions the conventional idea that fabric lines make designers rich: “Is it possible to have success by the yard?” Four fabric professionals with a range of perspectives — including Stephen Elrod and Brian Dicker from Kravet and Holland and Sherry respectively, and designers Lori Weitzner and James Huniford — gather to talk about how they made it in the fabric industry, and how they continue to look forward to the future of fabric.
This episode we dive into:
- How brands select designers for collaborations
- The method and process of collaborating on a fabric line
- What makes licensing and collaborations successful
- How to become successful through a fabric line
- The future and technology of textiles
- Buyer trends and the value of the experience
Get to know our fabulous guests:
Stephen Elrod is the executive vice president and creative director for Lee Jofa and Brunschwig & Fils. With close to three decades of experience, Stephen has led partnerships with various designers including another podcast guest, James Huniford, and most recently, Kelly Wearstler.
President of Holland and Sherry, Brian Dicker drove the tailor-focused fabric company’s expansion into interior design. Holland and Sherry is now a prominent player in the interior design realm and has partnered with designers like Elizabeth Eakins, Muriel Brandolini, and Christopher Maya.
Lori Weitzner is an independent fabric designer and the founder of Weitzner. Lori built her own textile company from the ground-up and later, successfully merged with Pollack. After 12 years as a business owner, Lory grown as a fabric designer and expanded into other areas of design.
James (Ford) Huniford, is a renowned interior designer and founder of Huniford Design Studio. He has a fabric line with Kravet / Lee Jofa and has been featured in magazines such as Architectural Digest, W Magazine, and Vogue.
Check out these further resources:
- Get to know the history of Kravet
- The story behind Holland and Sherry:
- Lori Weitzner’s new collection for Artistic Tile:
- Video: Tour Lori Weitzner’s studio
- Learn more about Huniford Design Studio
- Discover some of James Huniford’s top design tips.
Connect with Chairish and our guests on Instagram:
Chairish: @chairishco
Michael Boodro: @michaelboodro
Kravet: @kravetinc, @leejofa, and @brunschwigfils
Holland & Sherry: @hollandandsherryinteriors
Lori Weitzner: @loriweitzner
James Huniford: @fordhuniford
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Michael Boodro questions the conventional idea that fabric lines make designers rich: “Is it possible to have success by the yard?” Four fabric professionals with a range of perspectives — including Stephen Elrod and Brian Dicker from Kravet and Holland and Sherry respectively, and designers Lori Weitzner and James Huniford — gather to talk about how they made it in the fabric industry, and how they continue to look forward to the future of fabric.
This episode we dive into:
- How brands select designers for collaborations
- The method and process of collaborating on a fabric line
- What makes licensing and collaborations successful
- How to become successful through a fabric line
- The future and technology of textiles
- Buyer trends and the value of the experience
Get to know our fabulous guests:
Stephen Elrod is the executive vice president and creative director for Lee Jofa and Brunschwig & Fils. With close to three decades of experience, Stephen has led partnerships with various designers including another podcast guest, James Huniford, and most recently, Kelly Wearstler.
President of Holland and Sherry, Brian Dicker drove the tailor-focused fabric company’s expansion into interior design. Holland and Sherry is now a prominent player in the interior design realm and has partnered with designers like Elizabeth Eakins, Muriel Brandolini, and Christopher Maya.
Lori Weitzner is an independent fabric designer and the founder of Weitzner. Lori built her own textile company from the ground-up and later, successfully merged with Pollack. After 12 years as a business owner, Lory grown as a fabric designer and expanded into other areas of design.
James (Ford) Huniford, is a renowned interior designer and founder of Huniford Design Studio. He has a fabric line with Kravet / Lee Jofa and has been featured in magazines such as Architectural Digest, W Magazine, and Vogue.
Check out these further resources:
- Get to know the history of Kravet
- The story behind Holland and Sherry:
- Lori Weitzner’s new collection for Artistic Tile:
- Video: Tour Lori Weitzner’s studio
- Learn more about Huniford Design Studio
- Discover some of James Huniford’s top design tips.
Connect with Chairish and our guests on Instagram:
Chairish: @chairishco
Michael Boodro: @michaelboodro
Kravet: @kravetinc, @leejofa, and @brunschwigfils
Holland & Sherry: @hollandandsherryinteriors
Lori Weitzner: @loriweitzner
James Huniford: @fordhuniford
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode

Color(s) of the Year
Each year major paint companies, Pantone, etc, announce their color of the year—and they are all different. What is the meaning of color trends, and do they have any importance? And how do certain colors become anointed—and is that a good thing? Should designers embrace or ignore color hype? Guests include designers Nick Olsen and Nicole Fuller, who are known for their innovative use of color and Martin Kesselman, a paint retailer and color consultant who recently created the “perfect” modern white for Farrow and Ball.
You’ll love this episode if you’re interested in:
- Color trends and colors of the year
- What meaning trends have and their impact
- How our guests implement color and best practices
- Light, contrast, and perception
- White, a color that can’t be overlooked
- The inspiration and process of color development and selection
- The influence and mood color ignites
Get to know our guests:
Nicole Fuller is an interior designer and owner of Nicole Fuller Interiors with offices in New York and Los Angeles. She is known for contrasting neutrals with bold color and pattern and has created a line of tile with Ann Sacks, wallpaper for Fromental, and various rug designs for The Rug Company. Currently she’s in the process of collaborating on a paint collection with fashion photographer Steven Klein for Farrow & Ball.
After completing an architecture degree at Columbia, Nick Olsen shifted into interior design after working with Miles Redd. Nick launched his own firm, Nick Olsen Style, in 2010, and as Michael describes, is distinguished by the added charm, humor, and playfulness he adds to his designs. His work has been featured on the covers of Domino Magazine and World of Interiors.
Martin Kesselman is an entrepreneur, interior designer, and color consultant. Martin owns his own paint shop in New York City, In Colour, which represents brands including Farrow & Ball, Benjamin Moore, Fine Paints of Europe, and Donald Kaufman Color. He has previously worked with many of these paint companies, and most recently developed a contemporary white with Farrow & Ball called Martin Kesselman White.
Michael notes these 2020 Colors of the Year from paint brands:
- Classic Blue by Pantone
- First Light by Benjamin Moore– Pale rosy pink
- Back to Nature by Behr – Gentle sage
- Naval by Sherwin-Williams – Grayed navy
Check out these go-to whites and off-whites:
- Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore – Gray hints
- Simply White by Benjamin Moore – Fresh white
- Dove White by Benjamin Moore – Neutral
- All White by Farrow & Ball – Pure white. Nicole Fuller references this color as a “ceiling pop” white.
- Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball – Hint of gray
- Skimming Stone by Farrow & Ball – Warm gray undertone
- Martin Kesselman White by Farrow & Ball – This new shade of white, created by Martin, was inspired by the s...
Next Episode

Showhouses: How Much Will They Cost You and Will They Pay Off?
This episode on The Chairish Podcast we will look at the growing phenomenon of Showhouses. Why are there so many, who do they benefit, and do they really make a difference to a designer’s career? Guests include interior designers Neal Beckstedt and Young Huh, whose rooms at the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse became hugely popular on social media, and publicist Christina Juarez, who has helped shape the careers of numerous designers and worked with many national brands.
We mention these showhouses in the episode:
- Kips Bay Decorator Show House, New York City and Palm Beach
- The Hampton’s Showhouse, Hamptons, New York
- Holiday House, New York City
- Brooklyn Designer Showhouse, Brooklyn, New York
- The Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles: Home for the Holidays, Atlanta
- Ronald McDonald 2019 Designer Showhouse, Miami
During the episode, we discuss these showhouse designs:
- Young Huh – Corridor and Bath, 2014, and Artist Loft, 2019 / Both from the Kips Bay Decorator Show House
- Neal Beckstedt: Sitting Room, 2017 / Kips Bay Decorator Show House
- Sasha Bikoff’s – Color Me Happy Stairway, 2018 / Kips Bay Decorator Show House
- Robert Passal Living Area, 2019 / Kips Bay Decorator Show House
Check out these urther resources:
- Design tips from Young Huh via Chairish
- Explore Derek Lam’s Manhattan home that was designed by Neal Beckstedt via Architectural Digest
- Tour Christina Juarez’s colorful apartment via Elle Decor
Connect with us on Instagram:
- Chairish: @chairishco
- Michael Boodro: @michaelboodro
- Neal Beckstedt: @nealbeckstedt
- Young Huh: @younghuh
- Christina Juarez: @christinajuarezandco
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/the-chairish-podcast-36682/success-by-the-yard-9723670"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to success by the yard on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy