This week in design, collectible Chinese plushies called Labubus are becoming so popular that some crafters have been inspired to create custom furniture pieces for them. Stay in the know with our weekly roundup of headlines, launches, events, recommended reading and more.\n\nBusiness News The 90-day pause on sweeping \"Liberation Day\" tariffs was set to elapse last week, though just days before the deadline, President Donald Trump announced that at least 21 countries—including Japan, South Korea and the Philippines—now have until August 1 to reach a trade deal, or face duties of at least 20 percent. As The New York Times reports, the past week saw Trump threaten to impose several new tariffs, including 50 percent on copper and 30 percent on goods from the European Union and Mexico—all of which are slated to go into effect August 1.\n\nIn related news, inflation is ticking up. The consumer price index in June marked a 2.7 percent increase from a year earlier, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics this week. As The New York Times reports, those numbers represented the earliest impacts of the Trump administration’s new trade policies, with the prices of products like home furnishings and appliances up 1 percent and 1.9 percent respectively, compared to 0.3 percent and 0.8 percent last month.\n\nReal estate tycoon and design center landlord Charles Cohen—the owner of New York’s Decoration & Design Building, the Decorative Center Houston and the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles—faced several setbacks over the last week in his ongoing legal battles. As The Real Deal reports, the first blow came when an Italian court ordered the seizure of Cohen’s superyacht—a $48 million asset that lender Fortress Investment Group is pursuing after winning a $187 million judgment against Cohen following his default on nearly half a billion in outstanding loans. Then came the news that Cohen’s Manhattan tower at 750 Lexington Avenue is headed for foreclosure after a judge ruled in favor of its special servicer, LNR Partners. Meanwhile, he is still attempting to stave off the foreclosure of the DCH after a lender claims he defaulted on a $50 million loan tied to the property.\n\nAfter nearly a century in business, furniture manufacturers Howard Miller Company and subsidiary brand Hekman are closing, Women’s Wear Daily reports. The companies will begin to wind down operations and shutter by next year, affecting a 195-person workforce spread across four manufacturing facilities in Michigan and North Carolina. Founded in 1926 by Howard C. Miller—the son of contract furniture titan Herman Miller—the company first found success in crafting collectible clocks, before moving on to furniture. As Home News Now reports, the companies told dealers last week that the closures were motivated by factors including high interest rates and housing market fallout, along with added costs from the recent wave of Trump tariffs. Both manufacturers plan to take final orders through the end of August as materials allow.\n\nOn July 16, national sales training and business development expert Alison Mullins will help you build confidence and clarity in your sales process. Click here to learn more and remember, workshops are free for BOH Insiders.\n\nWe want to hear your thoughts! Take BOH’s annual reader survey, an 8-minute questionnaire that helps us get to know you better and will allow us to tailor our storytelling to your business needs. \n\nFurnishings, lighting and contract group Dexelance (formerly known as Italian Design Brands) has acquired a majority stake in design retailer Mohd, Women’s Wear Daily reports. Last week, Dexelance announced that it had agreed to purchase 65 percent of Mohd’s share capital for 44.3 million euros ($51.4 million)—a deal that will see it take on the entire 54 percent stake held by private equity firm Quadrivio Group, along with a portion of the shares held by the Mollura family, which founded Mohd in 1968. Originally established as a carpentry business, Mohd grew over the years into an omnichannel furniture retailer, today operating six showrooms, an e-commerce site, and design services for an international roster of residential and commercial projects. For Dexelance, the purchase represents its introduction into omnichannel retail and distribution. Following the acquisition, which is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, the Mollura family will continue to lead the company.\n\nDallas–based investment firm Cascata Capital has acquired 57-year-old interior design product distributor Ladco—which operates a trade showroom, resort design group and builder direct segment—from founders Phillip and Ronnie Ladin. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Following the acquisition, the two brothers will work alongside new Ladco CEO Jim Goergen as he executes plans for growing each segment of the business. According to the announcement, the only notable change for consumers will be the company’s name, which will be adjusted from Ladco LLC to Ladco Inc.\n\nThe Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity, a nonprofit dedicated to the legacy of Ray and Charles Eames, has acquired Lars Müller Publishers, a Zurich-based company specializing in architecture, design and visual culture. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Following the purchase, Lars Müller will integrate its editorial program with the Eames Institute’s collection, research and educational initiatives.\n\nMore than a year after home textiles company Indo Count Global acquired bedding and bath brand Wamsutta from Beyond Inc., the line is now being reintroduced to the market via a direct-to-consumer channel. Founded in 1846 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Wamsutta soon became the largest cotton-weaving plant in the world, operating for over a century before the original mill’s closure in 2004. As Home Textiles Today reports, Wamsutta was acquired by Springs Industries in 1985 and saw its intellectual property sold to Bed Bath & Beyond in 2012—before changing hands to Indo Count in the wake of the retailer’s 2023 bankruptcy filing. Now, Indo Count has relaunched the brand with a refreshed web and social media presence, an expanded product assortment, and a dedicated e-commerce site.\n\nMaryland-based custom furniture manufacturer Worthy’s Run Furniture has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. According to the May 28 filing, the company listed assets under $50,000 and liabilities between $100,001 and $500,000.\n\nLaunches and Collaborations Australian luxury design brand Paloma Editions has announced its debut in the U.S. market. Founded in 2023 by Polish-Australian designer Isabella Wilde, the brand produces a range of furniture and decor in Italy, crafted with materials sourced exclusively from Europe. To celebrate its introduction stateside, Paloma Editions has also announced two new collections: Isola, which features four dining tables, a chair and an artisan stool; and Sky, the brand’s first-ever objects and vessels collection.\n\nRecommended Reading It’s been a difficult year for the furniture industry, with a stagnant real estate market, inflation and tariffs putting a strain on consumer demand. However, for one segment of the market in particular, all of these factors simply add up to better business prospects. In Modern Retail, Melissa Daniels explores why the secondhand furniture industry is booming this year, as buyers benefit from a tariff-free sourcing strategy and brands seek a lucrative way to offload excess inventory.\n\nDesign is no stranger to vintage-inspired aesthetics—though the next hot new (old) thing may not delve far into the past. For Elle Decor, Julia Cancilla dives into why the ’90s are having a moment, with features like jewel tones, oversize furniture and tactile textures gaining popularity.

Charles Cohen’s troubles mount, inflation ticks up and more

The article covers trade policy impacts on inflation, real estate legal battles, furniture company closures, major acquisitions, and design industry updates. Key topics include tariffs, economic pressures, M&A activity, and design trends.