Decorating Den Interiors announces Franchise Owner of the Year

Furniture World News Desk on 6/5/2019

Franchise Owner of the Year Lynne Lawson with James S. Bugg, Jr., Decorating Den Interiors president and CEO.

Decorating Den Interiors recently announced that franchise owner Lynne Lawson, of Columbia, Md., was named Franchise Owner of the Year, the highest franchisee business award presented by the interior design and home furnishings franchise company.

“Lynne has been in business since 1997 and has consistently been in the top ten percent of franchisees for retail sales,” said James S. Bugg, Jr., president and CEO. “In addition to being an exemplary business leader, she and designer Laura Outland are former Designers of the Year have won numerous design awards and been featured in books and other publications. Lynne also has been a panelist at the High Point Market. She was elected by her franchise partners to serve on our leadership council and is a wonderful mentor to others.  Her exceptional dedication and service through cooperation with other franchise owners, suppliers and management are excellent examples of this award’s criteria.”

“I am thrilled and honored to receive the Franchise Owner of the Year award,” said Lawson, “This would not have been possible without our wonderful support systems of and our fantastic LIVV Home Collection™ of home furnishings.”

Other top business awards presented as the company celebrated its 50th anniversary at its annual conference and supplier market held recently at the Paris Las Vegas were:

Region of the Year was the Mainline Pennsylvania Region region managed by Mary and Bill Borkovitz, owner of a Decorating Den Interiors serving the Wayne, Pa. area. The award is the highest honor the company bestows on a region and recognizes outstanding achievement of a role-model region.

The franchise with the top retails sales by their entire team was the CPI Interiors Team, Ottawa, Ontario for being the highest in Canada, and sisters Barbara Elliott and Jennifer Ward Woods, Stone Mountain, Ga., for highest sales in the U.S.

Rookie of the Year was Svetlana Zaugg, of Boca Raton, Fla, who had the highest sales among new owners during the first 12 months in business.

The region with the highest sales was the South Florida region, managed by Cliff Welles and (the late) Judy Underwood, of Bonita Springs, Fla.

Field Manager of the Year was Laura Ortel of the corporate staff in Easton, Md. She manages franchises in several areas of the county and was honored for outstanding personal achievements in the areas of leadership, management, motivation and inspiration.

The Making a Difference Award, a special award selected by CEO Bugg, went to longtime franchise owner and regional manager Peggy Spitaletto, of Plano, Texas for outstanding commitment and service.  Bugg also presented Making a Difference Awards to company founder Steve Bursten and long-time former public relations executive Patti Coons, who started in the company’s important Dream Room design competition. Bursten and Coons were present to help celebrate the company’s golden milestone.

About Decorating Den Interiors: Celebrating its 50th year in business this year, Decorating Den Interiors has franchises throughout the U.S. and Canada. While many of its franchise owners come with previous design experience or from other positions in the home furnishings industry, some also come from other careers. The company provides extensive training in design, marketing, and business management, and is a leader in the use of technology to maximize profitability.

The company’s more than 135 preferred suppliers in its LIVV Home Collection™ enable its design professionals to offer clients a single source for fine furniture, case goods, lighting, accessories, window treatments, wall and floor coverings, and closet/storage systems.