Behind the Details: Strategic Shift & Solutions

A short-term relief was announced, delaying significant tariff increases that were originally scheduled to take effect at the beginning of this year.

The Shift: On January 1, 2026, the U.S. government announced a one-year delay on tariff increases for furniture and kitchen cabinets. Nearly all trade affiliates, including luxury trade showrooms and consumer retailers (Wayfair, RH, Pottery Barn), had braced for an anticipated double cost increase in 2026.

Solution 1: Designers are using this “one-year reprieve“ to finalize and ship orders before the adjusted new January 1, 2027 hike.

Solution 2: In 2025, industry professionals updated contracts to include a tariff contingency buffer (adding 25% to all 2025 estimates). These buffers have helped protect against sudden policy shifts. By Summer 2026, we anticipate notifying our clients that there will be an anticipated additional contingency buffer in preparation for continued 2027 uncertainty.

Solution 3: High import costs have fueled a massive trend in domestic vintage and antique sourcing. For years, it was our industry secret to frequent estate sales and flea markets, or encouraged our clients to revive their personal collection of heritage pieces. This solution not only fulfills tackling a tariff-driven strategic challenge but also fulfills a personal objective hard to define in words—embracing authenticity, emotional grounding, and a more meaningful aesthetic.