Home Interiors and Gifts
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Home decoration |
| Founded | 1957 |
| Founder | Mary C. Crowley |
| Defunct | Template:End date and age |
| Headquarters | Carrollton, Texas |
| Products | Candles, Picture frames and more |
Home Interiors and Gifts operated as a direct sales enterprise focused on decorative home accessories, marketed through over 140,000 independent consultants hosting home-based gatherings across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Eventually, a controlling stake in the company was held by Highland Capital Management. The business ceased operations in 2008.
History
Founded on December 5, 1957, by Mary C. Crowley, Home Interiors offered a variety of products including artificial floral arrangements, candles, framed art, mirrors, wall sconces, small furniture pieces, and shelving units. Many items were sourced from its own manufacturing branches such as the Laredo Candle Company. Management responsibilities were later shared with Crowley’s son, Don Carter.
By 1982, the company had grown to employ a sales network of 38,000 representatives generating over $400 million in revenue. Two years later, these numbers increased to approximately $450 million in sales with a sales force numbering around 39,000. The majority of these independent sellers were women who conducted business through door-to-door visits and social parties where customers purchased figurines and other decorative objects.
Under Crowley’s guidance, Home Interiors developed a distinct corporate culture characterized by conservative Christian values, individualism, and motivational self-help principles. The company emphasized providing women with flexible work options, fostering a supportive community among sales consultants, and offering opportunities for financial earnings.
Acquisition
In 1994, the investment group Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst completed a $1 billion leveraged buyout of Home Interiors and Gifts. The company generated over $850 million in yearly revenue by selling silk and polyester floral arrangements, porcelain dog figurines, and various decorative home products through home party sales.
On April 29, 2008, the company and several of its subsidiaries voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the Northern District of Texas (case number 08-31961). This step was taken to restructure the business operations and manage outstanding debt. The firm aimed to collaborate with stakeholders to emerge from bankruptcy swiftly while implementing its reorganization strategy. Alongside Home Interiors, entities including Dallas Woodcraft Company, LLC, Laredo Candle Company, LLC, HIG Holdings, LLC, Titan Sourcing, LLC, DWC GP, LLC, and Home Interiors de Puerto Rico, Inc. submitted voluntary petitions. However, the Mexican and Canadian branches of Home Interiors as well as Domistyle, Inc. were excluded from this filing.
Following bankruptcy proceedings, Penny and Steve Carlile—founders and owners of Home & Garden Party established in 1996—acquired Home Interiors. They combined the two businesses under the new name Celebrating Home, operating out of the Home & Garden Party headquarters located in Marshall, Texas. Heather Chastain, formerly president of Home Interiors, initially became president of Celebrating Home but has since departed from the company. Additionally, the Carliles purchased Home Interiors’ Mexican division, which continues to function independently under the original brand name.
By 2006, Home Interiors was reporting annual sales around $500 million with Mike Lohner serving as CEO. Lohner stepped down following Highland Capital Management’s acquisition of a controlling stake in the company. Richard W. Heath succeeded him as president and CEO; Heath had previously founded BeautiControl Cosmetics Inc., a Dallas-based company launched in 1981.
Further reading
- "Eight More Industrial Park Acres Sold", McKinney Daily Courier-Gazette (Nov 26, 1972).
- "Home Interiors founder motivates her sales staff with spiritual philosophy" by O.J. Parsons, Spokane Spokesman-Review (Oct 31, 1984).
- "Home Interiors & Gifts Is Leader in Direct Sales", The Madison Messenger (Oct 19, 2001).
- "Meredith backs line of products" by Patt Johnson, The Des Moines Register (June 10, 2003).
- "Home Interiors knows it's what's on the inside that counts" by Joanne Bockman, The Des Moines Register (February 10, 2005).
- "Home and Garden Party acquires Home Interiors and Gifts, Inc" by Steve Bandy, The Marshall News Messenger (December 19, 2008).