Decorating Den Interiors Names 2024 Franchise Owner of the Year and Top Sales Achievers
Furniture World News Desk on
2/6/2025
Terry Varner - Franchise Owner of the Year
Decorating Den Interiors has named Terry Varner, a 30-year franchise owner from Harford County, Md., as its 2024 Franchise Owner of the Year. This award is the highest business recognition presented by the company.
“Terry has been an outstanding leader and mentor to others,” said James S. Bugg, Jr., president and CEO. “The honoree must demonstrate exemplary characteristics of leadership, business management, and design excellence. Terry is truly a well-deserving recipient of this award.”
Top Sales Awards
The company also honored its leading interior design sales achievers across the U.S. and Canada.
“We announce our top sales awards in January to make it timely,” said Bugg. “The geographic distribution of our top franchises shows our ever-growing strength in the home furnishings industry.”
Chairman’s Circle
The Chairman’s Circle recognizes the top 10 franchises for highest sales in the United States, along with the highest sales franchise in Canada.
The number one U.S. franchise was owned by Kiran Arif of Cincinnati, Ohio, who opened her franchise in late 2020. The top-performing franchise in Canada was owned by Megan Patterson and Natalie Cox of Ottawa, Ontario.
Other U.S. franchises that achieved Chairman’s Circle status include:
- Bonnie Pressley, Fort Worth, Texas
- Barbara Elliott and Jennifer Ward Woods, Stone Mountain, Ga.
- Linda and Dana Coin, Ft. Myers, Fla.
- Lisa Porter, Dallas, Texas
- Charla Traugott, Montgomery, Texas
- Claudia Leah, Naples, Fla.
- Michelle Jett, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Nola Shivers, Springfield, Mo.
- Bohnne Jones, Nashville, Tenn.
Top 40 Sales Achievers
In addition to the Chairman’s Circle, 30 additional franchises were recognized for their sales achievements:
- Alabama: Janah Williams
- Florida: Suzanne Christie, Kathie Golson, Diane Schaefer, Cheryl Scurlock, Tonie Vander Hulst
- Georgia: Cassy Young
- Iowa: Karen Miller
- Kansas: Sandra Burroughs, Allison Fikejs
- Kentucky: Kristen Pawlak, Erica Lee
- Maryland: Moniqe Holland, Roz Redmond, Krista Shugars
- Massachusetts: Robin Cotter
- Michigan: Veronica Simmons
- Minnesota: Gina Wolleat
- New Hampshire: C.J. Lotter
- New Mexico: Sherry Franzoy Garcia
- New York: Marni Sugerman
- North Carolina: Lisa Rice
- Pennsylvania: Kathleen Monteleone, Kim Morgan
- Virginia: Amy Ahearn, Jan Bertin, Maria Loveless
- Tennessee: Sandy Kozar
- Texas: Jennifer Jones, Kimberly Paulus, Berenice Sanchez
Top Designers in a Franchise
The top five U.S. designers who are part of a franchise were:
- Annie Abanilla, Fort Worth, Texas
- Kayla Anderson, Dallas, Texas
- Aleem Arif, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Jill Shuey, Montgomery, Texas
- Paula Wolfe, Fort Worth, Texas
The top Canadian designer was Catherine Pulcine of Ottawa, Ontario.
Rising Star
Carole Canepari, who launched her franchise in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., in late 2023, was recognized as the Rising Star for achieving notable sales success within her first full year in business. She also earned the Inaugural and Eagle Awards for reaching designated sales milestones in 2024.
About Decorating Den Interiors
Founded in 1969, Decorating Den Interiors is North America’s largest interior design and home furnishings franchise company. Its franchisees operate throughout the U.S. and Canada. They have direct relationships with suppliers in its LIVV Home Collection™ of fine furniture, custom window treatments, wall and floor coverings, accessories, lighting, and closet systems. For more information, visit DecoratingDen.com.