Matthew Briggs Matthew Briggs of Four Hands' biggest fear? Not moving forward. In a world of brand builders, Matthew Briggs is a product guy. When he took the helm at Austin-based furniture manufacturer Four Hands 25 years ago, the president and CEO said it was an easy decision to focus on the inventory they were selling over the image of the company itself. "[Retail clients] made it fairly obvious that us spending a bunch of money building a brand wasn't going to be of any value to them because they were going to have us work as private-label manufacturers," Briggs tells Dennis Scully on the latest episode of The Business of Home Podcast. "And [brand marketing was] not our natural skill set... We are dyed-in-the-wool, old-school product guys." Yet somewhere along the way, one of the furniture industry's biggest growth stories of the past decade - Four Hands is now approaching $1 billion in annual revenue, up from $500 million only a few years ago - became a genuine brand. "A lot of decisions were never made; they just happened," he explains. "At some stage we said, 'Hey, we should be on Instagram.' We had to leap into it because we realized we were becoming a brand, whether we liked it or not." Being a name that customers know has its advantages: It's allowed Four Hands to directly court designers and build up a significant trade audience. It also comes with risks. Earlier this year, a design firm called out the brand on Instagram after having issues with its services, and the post went viral. "We learned a lot from it," says Briggs. "There were things that we were aware of, but not the extent of some of the feelings, and we took it very seriously - there were some things that we took action on." Above all, he emphasizes change as the only constant in a fast-changing industry. "I don't think anyone's business model... gets to stay static for very long, because things that were true two years ago are not true today; things that were true five years ago aren't even on the same board anymore," says Briggs. "The speed at which things come at us just seems to increase." As the brand celebrates its 30th anniversary, he spoke with Scully about why the traditional furniture retail model is under threat, the benefits of being brutally honest, and how technology can make or break a company. On November 11, brand strategist and designer Ericka Saurit will explore how AI is changing designers' relationship to creativity, and its impact on brand differentiation. Click here to learn more and remember, workshops are free for BOH Insiders. Critical insight: Because Briggs was an industry outsider when he started at Four Hands, he has never felt pressured to stick to the established order. "We've had these moments in Four Hands history where I've proposed an idea and had this look in the room somewhere between shock, horror and any of the five stages of grief," he says with a laugh. "One of the first [divisive suggestions] was [to stop printing] a paper catalog. [Another was], 'What if we reduced our minimum order - what if [it] was one piece?' This was heresy. It sounds incredibly obvious in retrospect. But it sends a message that we're trying to be inclusive. If you're a registered customer, what do you need a minimum for? Let's take the hassle out of it." Key quote: "One of the things I've never done is wait around for better times. Many people in the industry would say, 'We're just treading water until good times come.' I've never thought about it that way. I've always charged full steam ahead and said, 'How do we do the best we can every single day?' The good times bring opportunity and the bad times bring opportunity. You just have to jump on those opportunities. Bringing out great new product every season is the metronome of the company - good times and bad. If you're standing still, you die. My biggest fear is not moving forward. No one can maintain homeostasis. If you're not moving forward, you're going to move backward." This episode is sponsored by Loloi. Listen to the show below. If you like what you hear, subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. The Thursday Show Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including a big quarter for Wayfair, a viral video about lead in zellige tiles, and the battle for Ethan Allen. Later, London-based interior designer Rita Konig joins the show to discuss her upcoming book, Returning Home. This episode is sponsored by Joon Loloi and Resource Furniture. Listen to the show below. If you like what you hear, subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Want to stay informed? Sign up for our newsletter, which recaps the week's stories, and get in-depth industry news and analysis each quarter by subscribing to our print magazine. Join BOH Insider for discounts, workshops and access to special events such as the Future of Home conference.

Four Hands reveals Fall 2026 collection, plus 30th anniversary capsule. Vicky Jarrett// Managing Editor//October 19, 2026 HIGH POINT - Four Hands is unveiling its Fall 2026 collection at this week's High Point Market, showcasing 630 new pieces, including an extended Amber Lewis x Four Hands collection, exclusive new art and the largest expansion to date from designers Thomas Bina and Ronald Sasson. "Each Market is a chance to showcase the strength of our design partnerships, and this fall our collaborators have taken inspiration from a wide range of materials and movements," said Adam Dunn, senior vice president of design. "This season leans into material honesty and intentional design: solid stone, natural wood grain, hand-finished iron and leather that wears beautifully over time." New this fall, a fresh Amber Lewis x Four Hands collection adds more than 50 pieces. Drawing on stacked upholstery, Dutch country and traditional Spanish references, the collection stays true to Lewis's California cool design aesthetic with simple silhouettes and impactful materials. Pieces include the Moorland desk, the Nemona dining chair and the Fasano media console. Four Hands Art Studio partners with more than 175 independent artists around the world, and the brand welcomes 192 new works to its portfolio this fall. Additionally, this season brings the largest expansion yet from longtime Four Hands collaborators Thomas Bina and Ronald Sasson, with nearly 40 new pieces for every room including the Buckley sofa, Scarlett sideboard and Grenelle chair. Also this fall, Four Hands' 30th Anniversary Capsule collection is making its debut, featuring reimagined pieces along with exclusive new art from five of its artist partners. "Over the past 30 years, Four Hands has evolved in truly remarkable ways," said Matthew Briggs, CEO, adding, "This collection celebrates this milestone achievement, along with all of our customers who made it all possible." The collection includes select pieces that have been in the line for more than 15 years and are still sold today in original form; the return of the Zhang collection, a nod to the brand's roots as an importer; and standout pieces from design collaborators, including Thomas Bina. Pieces include the Augustine sofa, which features a traditional pattern delivered in a modern shape; the Shoemaker's bench, now updated with oak and a mink-toned seat; the Magnolia dining table, in glossy black concrete with a high-shine, tile-inspired finish; and the Sinclair ottoman, now offered in a real tapestry to give the custom feel. Four Hands' showrooms is located at Showplace, space 4101.