Insights into Havenly's Expansion: Lee Mayer Discusses Acquisitions, Interior Define, and AI's Impact on Design
In a tech and data-driven world, Havenly, a leading player in the direct-to-consumer furniture and decor space, views Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a powerful assistive tool, not as a means to eliminate jobs. Lee Mayer, the CEO and cofounder of Havenly Brands, shares this perspective.
Mayer believes that AI can streamline various aspects of the design process, such as sourcing, mood board creation, and customer communication. This, in turn, allows human designers to focus on what truly matters - understanding and meeting client needs, building trust, and adding a human touch to the creative process.
Havenly Brands has made strategic acquisitions to strengthen its portfolio, each brand having a direct connection to the Havenly customer. The Inside, for instance, brought once-expensive, trade-only custom pieces online, making them accessible to consumers. The Inside, like Havenly, was female-founded.
Other acquisitions include Burrow, known for its modular, flexible designs ideal for small spaces, and Interior Define, which experienced financial distress in 2022 before being acquired by Havenly in 2023. The Inside is recognised for its custom furniture and traditional-leaning aesthetic, while The Citizenry appeals to customers who value ethical sourcing and craftsmanship, and St. Frank has a maximalist look with a wide range of colors and patterns.
Mayer sees AI as a tool, not a threat, for enhancing the design process, making it more accessible, and increasing efficiency. However, he believes that true creation, trend setting, rule breaking, and the act of truly listening and validating are deeply human and not yet able to be replaced by AI.
Havenly started as an online interior design platform and shopping experience in 2014, co-founded by Lee Mayer along with Emily Motayed and Jessie Dixon. Prior to launching Havenly, Mayer worked for esteemed companies such as Bankrate, Bain & Company, and Canon.
As Havenly Brands continues to evolve, AI is being utilised by forward-thinking companies in the furniture industry for trend exploration, customer service, content creation, and home design. Yet, the human touch remains paramount in the creative process, ensuring that each design is unique, personal, and tailored to the client's needs.
