Editor’s note: Emily Clingman, Business of Furniture’s editor-in-chief, passed away on May 3rd. We extend our sincere condolences to the staff at Business of Furniture, as well as Emily’s family and friends.
I first met Emily in 2019 during a press trip to Finland for the Framery World Conference, with keynote speakers discussing the evolving workplace. We were there with journalists from all over the world, who covered everything from office design to furniture. At the time, Emily was a staff writer for Business of Furniture and I was at Contract as a freelancer. We were familiar with each other’s writing, quickly bonding over our similar career paths and love of textiles.
When it came time to do the press interviews, Emily was front and center, the first to ask questions. She was curious about the creative process, and wanted to know more, whether it was about how a company’s signature product came to be or an architect’s vision for a project. During our dinners and group activities, Emily was quick to lead the conversation, asking people about their backgrounds, favorite food, and hobbies. We all laughed and had to remind her that she was off the clock and that she didn’t have to interview us—but she did it anyway.
Her genuine interest in people made her an exceptional reporter. She was also an avid photographer, known for her stunning landscapes. She loved to travel and spend time in nature. It was a point of pride that she had visited 17 U.S. National Parks, with so many pictures and stories to share of her experiences. The same eye for detail with the lens was also present in her writing—always a different angle, a new perspective, an added depth.
Even though we often joked about her being too much of a talker, Emily was actually a listener at heart, and had a long memory. If you told her something, she would never forget it. She would send pictures, cards, or artwork that she knew you would appreciate. There was a small print that I wanted as a souvenir of the Finland trip but I wasn’t able to purchase it before I left. About a month later, I received it in the mail, a gift from Emily. Emily remembered birthdays and holidays, but she would send a note or a trinket unexpectedly, just to let you know she was thinking of you.
She would also freely give her opinions, and didn’t hesitate to tell you what was on her mind. When she thought a piece was particularly good, she would offer praise, and you knew that she meant it. In 2021, I became editor at officeinsight. Now “competitors,” Emily was the first to call to congratulate me. One week Emily might have a story first, and then the next week I would, so rivalry for us was non-existent. We were both covering the same people and events, and we were happy to do so. Last year she was named editor-in-chief at Business of Furniture, and was excited to take on the role and a new challenge. She especially championed the women in our industry, and was inspired by the difference they were making, ready to highlight their work and causes at every opportunity.
We shared our experiences working for weekly publications, and the difficulties of keeping a never-ending cycle of content fresh, but she took it all in stride. When the pandemic hit, it was hard for someone as outgoing as Emily to not be meeting with people or looking at collections via Zoom. Yet checked in with everyone regularly to make sure they were doing well and had whatever they needed.
NeoCon was a favorite of Emily’s, not only because it was an opportunity to see all of the latest products under one roof, but a time to reconnect with colleagues. During our last conversation, we planned our annual dinner and said we would see each other soon. Now it will be a different event for me this year. I can’t imagine not comparing notes or checking to find out which of our personal picks made the Best of NeoCon list.
Emily’s intelligence and dedication will be missed by all who were fortunate to know her, but never forgotten.