Furniture company acquires MD interior designer

Empire Office Inc., a New York-based commercial furniture and interior solutions provider, announced the acquisition of Model Home Interiors, a design, furnishing and installation firm headquartered in Howard County. 

MHI specializes in turnkey solutions for lifestyle real estate, including multifamily, student housing, senior living communities and model homes, according to an Empire release.

With the acquisition, Empire will be able to expand its expertise beyond workplace interiors into the residential and hospitality-adjacent sectors, the company said. Empire and MHI’s combined firm is expected to emerge as one of the largest providers of turnkey furnishing solutions for model homes in the nation.

“This acquisition represents an exciting new chapter for Empire,” said Peter Gaslow, president and CEO of Empire Office. 

“MHI has set the standard in lifestyle real estate interiors, delivering turnkey solutions that help developers and operators attract residents and drive revenue. By joining forces, we’re taking their proven expertise and amplifying it through Empire’s national reach, technology, and partnerships.”

With an additional office in North Carolina, MHI aims to provide optimal service in the design and furnishing of model homes, multifamily units, student housing and senior living communities. 

“Joining Empire allows us to scale our services in ways we couldn’t before,” MHI President Carl McWilliams said. 

“Empire’s logistics network, technology platforms, and client partnerships complement our expertise perfectly. Together, we can continue doing what we do best—delivering beautiful, high-performing spaces—while offering our clients even greater reach, resources, and innovation.”

Empire also announced a forthcoming rebrand that will include a name change that will reflect its expanded portfolio.