Home: The Second Story

In this episode of Home: The Second Story, we welcome Craig Hyson and Nick Blessing from Pella Windows & Doors of Cincinnati. This conversation is for homeowners who are starting a custom home, a large renovation, or even a production build and want to understand how to make better decisions about windows and doors before they order anything. Craig and Nick start with one of the most important points of the episode: the window itself matters, but the installation matters just as much. A high quality window can still fail if it is flashed incorrectly or installed poorly. That is why they encourage homeowners to vet both the manufacturer and the installer. Pella’s local team describes its role as “owning the opening,” which means they can help with the product, installation, and service after the fact. We also talk about why homeowners should go to a showroom before ordering windows. Windows affect both the inside and outside of a home, and a catalog does not tell the whole story. The way a window opens, the feel of the hardware, the look of the grilles, the screen options, and the finish details can all change a homeowner’s decision once they see and touch the products in person. A showroom visit can prevent surprises later. Budget is a big part of the conversation. Homeowners can often save money without compromising the whole design. Grilles can be used only on the front elevation. Some upgraded hardware or blinds between the glass can be limited to key rooms. In some cases, changing window series or staying within certain size limits can make a large difference. Standard sizes can save some money, but the bigger issue is often whether a custom size pushes the window into a more expensive product line. We also talk about glass, energy efficiency, sound control, and the importance of looking at the house as a whole system. Better glass can help, but walls, insulation, flashing, air sealing, and the overall envelope all matter. A great window cannot solve every performance problem on its own. The design conversation gets especially fun when we talk about larger doors, multi-slide systems, pocketing doors, and the way homeowners want indoor and outdoor spaces to connect. Craig and Nick share examples of automated awning windows, huge stacking doors, and larger aluminum products that allow designers to push size and glass limits. Our biggest takeaway is that homeowners should be more involved in the window selection process. Even when the architect and builder have a strong recommendation, it is worth visiting the showroom, asking questions, testing options, and understanding what is actually going into the home. More: Pella Windows & Doors of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky: https://www.pella.com/locations/cincinnati/ Pella Windows & Doors Showroom of Cincinnati, OH: https://www.pella.com/locations/oh/montgomery/ (00:00) Intro (02:05) What homeowners should know before starting a project (04:38) When homeowners work directly with the window team (05:31) Why windows affect both the interior and exterior (07:33) What makes a good quality window (09:51) Visiting the showroom and testing products (14:25) Grille choices and setting clear expectations (16:38) Budget levers that do not change the whole design (18:50) A hot take on using fewer, better windows (22:02) Standard sizes, custom sizes, and fixed versus operable windows (24:37) Choosing upgrades only in key rooms (27:12) Energy efficiency and glass options (31:25) A memorable automated awning window project (32:26) Multi-slide pocketing doors and big views (34:05) Larger aluminum products and bigger glass limits (36:27) Post-interview reflections (44:08) Closing and contact information Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us!  admin@htsspodcast.comLearn about our hosts:Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.comSherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we sit down with Antonia Botero to talk about designing and building her own home in Park City, Utah—a contemporary mountain house shaped by view, guidelines, risk, and a deep understanding of construction. We open by grounding the project: a new build that broke ground in May 2022 and wrapped up in August 2023, completed on an aggressive 13-month timeline in a post-COVID construction market. Antonia served as both architect of record and co–general contractor alongside her husband, bringing a commercial development mindset into a residential project.We explore how the site and HOA design guidelines shaped the house. The home is oriented entirely to the western view of the Wasatch Back, prioritizing experience of landscape and daylight over conventional orientation rules. From the street, the house is solid and restrained; inside, it opens dramatically to the horizon. Antonia talks about embracing guidelines as design constraints rather than obstacles, choosing to reinterpret fire and material rules in a cohesive way instead of applying them superficially. That approach resulted in a house with no “dipped-in-stone” base and a consistent architectural language.Design principles drive every decision. We discuss honesty in structure and materials, visible glulam beams that actually hold up the roof, exposed steel, large overhangs, and thermally modified wood siding. The plan is organized as a strong architectural parti—a long, low L-shaped house that clearly separates public and private zones while allowing varying levels of access for guests. The house is designed for entertaining without sacrificing privacy.On the construction side, we dig into how treating the house like a commercial project affected decisions. Antonia explains why they built a concrete podium instead of conventional wood framing, how lumber pricing influenced structural choices, and how commercial-style coordination—between plumbing, electrical, sprinklers, and structure—created efficiencies but challenged residential trades. We hear stories of incredible trade partners who embraced the challenge, alongside cautionary tales like a once-in-a-lifetime marble slab being cut in half.A major theme is risk. Antonia is clear that she would not recommend her process to most homeowners. She took risks she would never take with a client—testing new products, resolving details in the field, and living with temporary conditions for years. We talk about how critical it is for homeowners to understand risk, ask questions, and decide what they can live with emotionally, financially, and practically.We close with lessons about decision-making, collaboration, and knowing when to push and when to pull back. Antonia reminds us that there is no universal blueprint for building a home—only a framework that must be tailored to each person’s life, priorities, and tolerance for uncertainty. And yes, after all the complexity, her favorite daily joy is simple: heated bathroom floors.(00:00) Introduction to Home: The Second Story(01:18) Project overview: Park City new build(03:07) Antonia’s background in architecture and development(05:08) Designing to the view and working within HOA guidelines(11:35) Designing your own house as an architect(17:15) Architect + GC from day one(21:24) Why there’s no one-size-fits-all process(24:02) Turning a personal project into a client project(31:56) Commercial construction strategies in a home(37:57) The marble kitchen saga(42:22) Risk, experimentation, and client responsibility(45:29) Favorite feature(46:36) Host reflections and key takeaways Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us!  admin@htsspodcast.comLearn about our hosts:Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.comSherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode brings us a new perspective - someone who has been in their home for nearly two decades. Today, we sit down with Scott Choppin, a Long Beach, California homeowner who completed a full scrape-and-rebuild of his family home nearly twenty years ago. We explore what it means to live with your design decisions over the long term and how perspective changes when you’ve raised a family in the house you built from scratch. Scott’s project is a 4,600-square-foot Spanish-style home built on a 5,000-square-foot lot in Belmont Shore, replacing a modest 1940s house that no longer met his family’s needs.We talk about how Scott and his wife decided that renovation wasn’t realistic and why starting over ultimately made more sense. With a growing family and limited lot constraints, we discuss how the existing footprint would have restricted the design and forced compromises that didn’t align with their goals. Scott’s comfort with new construction, shaped by his professional background in real estate development, made the decision to scrape the house easier than it might be for most homeowners. (Also, Taylor vows to bring the term "scrape" to Alabama.)We walk through the design process, starting with a “core” family space his wife envisioned and building the rest of the house around it. We discuss how big-picture planning came first, followed by detailed decisions about room sizes, circulation, and everyday functionality. Scott shares how bringing the general contractor on early helped filter design ideas through a buildability lens and how trust played a major role in their team dynamic. He also reflects on moments of friction with the architect during construction and how those experiences shaped the process.During construction, we hear a memorable story about severe rain, high groundwater, and a bulldozer sinking into the site—an early reminder that building a house is fundamentally about problem-solving. We emphasize the importance of asking, “What’s the plan?” rather than panicking when things go wrong, and how trust, communication, and patience are critical during setbacks.Looking back after nearly two decades, Scott shares valuable lessons about long-term durability, maintenance, and material choices. We talk about plumbing fixtures, flooring, electrical systems, decks, and the importance of choosing well-supported brands and keeping detailed records. Scott also reflects on what he would not do again—like Juliet balconies and overly complex lighting systems—and what he still loves, including the timeless Spanish exterior and neutral interior finishes that have aged gracefully.We conclude by emphasizing that no project is perfect, every house requires ongoing care, and thinking beyond move-in day is one of the most important lessons homeowners can take away.(00:00) Introduction & Guest Overview(02:10) Project Background & Timeline(05:59) Renovate vs. Rebuild Decision(10:51) Design Process & Core Planning(17:22) Zoning, Setbacks & Tradeoffs(21:06) Construction Begins & Site Challenges(26:13) Managing Stress & Problem-Solving(35:11) Long-Term Materials & Maintenance(40:56) What Still Works After 19 Years(43:12) Final Advice & Takeaways Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us!  admin@htsspodcast.comLearn about our hosts:Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.comSherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Home: The Second Story, we sit down with Trevor from Pensacola, Florida, to unpack the highs and lows of building a custom home in the aftermath of COVID. What starts as a promising project—a new build on recently purchased land near the coast—soon evolves into a cautionary tale about mismatched expectations, supply chain chaos, and the essential need for a strong, consistent advocate throughout a construction project.Trevor and his wife worked with a talented home designer to create custom plans and brought in an exceptional interior designer early in the process. She brought a fresh, California-inspired design sensibility that stood out in their market and became a trusted partner who helped them select and source materials, even attending appliance appointments and coordinating deliveries. Trevor repeatedly credits her as a key reason the project turned out beautifully, even after she had to move back to California midway through the two-year build.From there, however, the experience took a more difficult turn. The builder, while experienced and locally respected, operated under a cost-plus contract during a period of rapid inflation and material delays. Framing costs came in far higher than expected, and estimates proved unreliable. As the project unfolded, Trevor quickly realized that important decisions—like window selection or flooring transitions—were being left to default industry standards unless he specifically intervened. Without detailed architectural drawings or consistent oversight, small details were routinely mishandled, including clunky floor trim, awkward material transitions, and sloppy exterior caulking.A recurring theme throughout the episode is how much falls through the cracks when you don’t have someone on your team managing the details with authority. Trevor found himself constantly on site, trying to catch issues before they became permanent. He describes the burnout he felt in the final stretch, eventually handing off decision-making to his wife, who stepped up to finish the project. Looking back, he wishes he had hired an architect to serve as an advocate from start to finish—someone who could anticipate issues, handle coordination, and push for quality without relying on the homeowner to do it all.Despite the difficult process, Trevor and his family are happy in their home now. They take pride in the guest spaces, the playroom with custom cabinetry, and the studio above the garage surrounded by oak trees. But he’s honest about the emotional residue: for a long time, being in the home reminded them of construction stress and mistakes. Over time, though, that has faded. His biggest takeaway? You need someone on your side. An advocate—ideally an architect—who can guide the entire process, manage expectations, and protect your vision from compromise.00:00 - Introduction to the Episode01:08 - Meet Trevor from Pensacola03:00 - Home Designer vs. Architect04:55 - The Standout Interior Designer08:09 - Choosing the Builder11:08 - COVID Supply Chain & Lumber Costs13:11 - Budget Blowouts with Cost-Plus Contracts16:18 - Window Selection Regrets23:19 - Flooring, Transitions & Trim Issues25:08 - Communication Breakdowns30:48 - Lessons Learned and What Trevor Would Do Differently34:45 - Favorite Rooms and Finishes36:52 - Hosts Reflect on the Takeaways Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us!  admin@htsspodcast.comLearn about our hosts:Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.comSherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we sit down with Carol Walsh, a homeowner and realtor from rural Monterey County, California, who recently completed a full kitchen renovation — largely on her own terms. The kitchen transformation wasn't just about aesthetics. It was also a capstone project for her coursework in historic preservation, making the renovation both personal and educational. What started as a theoretical school assignment quickly turned into a real-life remodel when Carol and her husband decided to invest in enjoying their kitchen before potentially selling the home.We walk through the scope of the project, from its outdated 1975 yellow-tile beginnings to the modern, budget-conscious result completed for under $30,000. Carol emphasizes how she and her husband divided tasks strategically — hiring out drywall, electrical work, and flooring while doing everything else themselves, including cabinetry assembly, demolition, and tile work. The result is a high-end-looking kitchen built with meticulous planning and sweat equity. But Carol is clear: this approach required deep focus, time flexibility, and experience. She stresses the importance of understanding both your capabilities and your limits.The renovation’s success came down to smart decision-making. Carol pre-purchased every material before demo day, anticipating supply chain issues and price hikes. She leaned heavily on online resources and architectural Twitter threads (including some from Marilyn), using them to fill in knowledge gaps — especially around lighting design. Our realtor-guest's biggest takeaway: design choices should reflect both functionality and future resale value. She chose neutral backsplashes, timeless cabinet styles, and high-quality secondhand appliances, all while resisting the urge to impose overly personalized finishes.Living through the renovation presented challenges, especially with pets and a teenager at home. But Carol’s message is clear: do it sooner so you can enjoy it. Her kitchen has now become a space of inspiration — from her morning coffee ritual to newfound baking adventures, it’s a space that brings her daily joy. She also reflects on managing the renovation as a couple. Despite a few tense moments, she and her husband succeeded because of clear roles, mutual respect, and years of working on smaller projects together.We wrap with Carol’s advice to DIYers: be brutally honest about what you can take on. A beautiful result isn’t just about elbow grease — it requires vision, discipline, and knowing when to bring in help. For anyone considering a home renovation, her story is a blueprint for how to lead a project with both creativity and pragmatism.00:00 – Intro & Welcome00:26 – Meet Carol & Her Project Overview02:02 – Designing a Kitchen for School & Real Life04:09 – DIY vs. Hiring Out: Making Smart Choices08:22 – Budgeting & Repurposing High-End Looks13:09 – Countertop Crisis & Sink Installation Lessons16:45 – Appliance Challenges & Unexpected Fixes18:28 – Timing the Project for Life & Budget22:08 – Stockpiling Materials to Beat Inflation24:14 – Couple Collaboration & Role Clarity33:24 – DIY Lessons: When to Call in Help36:54 – Design Decisions with Resale in Mind41:37 – What Brings Daily Joy in the Kitchen43:40 – Final Thoughts on Timing & Enjoyment45:02 – Wrap-Up & Closing Comments Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us!  admin@htsspodcast.comLearn about our hosts:Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.comSherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.