Behind the Brand: Interlude Home

Interlude Home was a very successful accessory company for decades. When I began as Creative Director about 15 years ago, it was time for a major refresh. My background was in fashion, at W Magazine, where our audience was sophisticated, fashionable, and well-off, so this was my baseline. I slowly worked with our executive team to gravitate towards this influential client base. They’re fun to work with, have opinions and are often quite decisive. The Interior designers representing these cultivated clients are so talented, they’re truly inspiring. While recalibrating, we also realized that furniture was more of a true passion for all of us, so we leaned into that rather aggressively and transformed the company from accessories into a full furniture line.

As my husband Carl says, “Wendy couldn’t help but assert her opinion” and it went from there. No surprise to anyone that knows me. Interior design has always been a practiced passion of mine and our furniture line gradually took off. I, along with Carl, who is the President and CEO, and our partner Sean McFadden, poured our heart and soul into the company transforming it from the ground up. It was a project that with grit, creativity and patience has become very successful.

We originated our fashion inspired mantra with our tagline, Fashion Inspired Living, which has been copied in every derivative there is. They say imitation is the finest form of flattery, so I’m going with that.

What were the early successes of the brand?

Hmm, interesting question. I think I would say our acrylic line and our curved upholstered furniture, two things we excel in both form and function. I am clearly biased, but our acrylic is thick, clear and the best in the business and our curved upholstery is par to none. We have our own extensive fabric lines as well as over 50 years of expert COM experience so that is a driving force.

What is exciting about the brand today?

SO much! We are growing and growing. We are introducing new lines, new collaborations, (the next one is with Barette Widell and Christina Boschetti of Widell + Boschetti) and are about to introduce over 75 new designs in High Point. Plenty of wood in gorgeous finishes, mixed materials galore, dressers/bedsides, dining/counter and on and on. Our Quick Ship Program has never been busier – we own our furniture factory in Virginia and can turn around 68 designs in 3 weeks or less using our collection of textured, neutral fabrics.

We’ve also been told time and time again, we hit the sweet spot in pricing for our proprietary designs of such quality.

What has changed since the brand was founded?

Everything! Seriously, it was a full-on evolution.

What is significant about the brand being at 200 Lex?

Wow, we are so happy and grateful to be part of such a community. Honestly, we waited for years (just ask Jim!) until we found the perfect space in 200 Lex because we wanted the right environment and layout. We’ve now added a second showroom across the hall and couldn’t be happier.

Are there any exciting things happening for the brand in the future?

Yes! I see us evolving and providing elevated designs within our core businesses. We’ve developed categories over the years that have expanded our product offerings and I’d like to go more vertical within them. The mix of materials, new materials, and continuing to create, “timeless but of the moment” designs which has always been our trademark.

Where will the brand be in 5/10 years?

Hopefully, in the home of every stylish and fashionable person who thrives living in a chic and livable space. And, for Interlude Home to be even more coveted than it already is.

What do you want people to know about the brand that they may not? 

Interlude Home is a brand that turns to fashion for inspiration, yet we design to be stylish, approachable and livable. We believe form and function are not mutually exclusive and the combination is attainable. The owner of the space should be the star, and our furniture a sophisticated focal point without screaming.