Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven

I do love talking about and thinking about residential landscape design. Steve Griggs, a straight talking landscape designer from New York, joined me to discuss one of my favorite subjects. We discussed what to keep in mind when considering your landscape design, why it is important to hire a landscape designer for certain projects, the high value low cost moves in the landscape and more. About our guest:From www.stevegriggsdesign.com: "Steve is not your typical landscape designer. He’s been getting dirt on his hands ever since he was 16, cutting grass to earn some bucks. Working hard got him through school, where he got advanced landscaping degrees from Mississippi State University and SUNY Cobleskill College of Environmental Design and Horticulture.He founded Steve Griggs Design when he was 25. Having previously worked with his father in the industry, he got some powerful values instilled in him: make no excuses, keep your promises, respect the deadline, and make things happen for the client. But what he saw happening in the industry was a different story.He decided to change the status quo for good. This customer-centric approach got him the reputation of the best landscape designer in New York."Thanks so much for being with us this week.  Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.comDo you have feedback you would like to share?  Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?  Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friendsDon’t forget to subscribe to the show and get automatic updates every Wednesday morning with the latest episode of Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven.  Click here to get the episode enhancements sent directly to your inbox every week.Reviews and ratings help my show gain traction and credibility.  Please leave a review here- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-home-renovations-with-the-house-maven/id1481716218Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovationsJoin me on Facebook: Talking Home RenovationsTalking Home Renovations with the House Maven is part of Gabl Media, the largest, most engaged AEC network on the planet.  Visit www.Gablmedia.com for great content. Sign up for the weekly newsletter- I send out the episode enhancements every Wednesday morning,   sign up hereMusic at the beginning and end of the episode is The House Maven's Jig, written and performed by Neil Pearlman, www.neilpearlman.comShow Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.comThis podcast is a production of dEmios Architects. www.demiosarchitects.com

I started following Kemp Harper on Instagram a while ago, his account @thecolonial_on_park. We talked about his experience with his 1930s/40s Brick colonial in Brazil, Indiana. He is a true artist who has infused his interior and exterior spaces with charm. about our guest: Nestled in the middle of an Indiana small town stands a stately 1930 brick colonial home. This maturely-grown 3 city lot property is home to Kemp Harper and partner Kevin Boling. For eight years, the couple has worked to preserve and restore this Indiana relic. The home boasts country amenities with a chicken coop (home to 8 hens) and a beehive. Kemp documents this and more through his Instagram titled: "The Colonial on Park". Their home will also be featured on season 2 of Magnolia Networks "Diary of an Old Home." Instagram- @thecolonial_on_parkThanks so much for being with us this week.  Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.comDo you have feedback you would like to share?  Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?  Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friendsDon’t forget to subscribe to the show and get automatic updates every Wednesday morning with the latest episode of Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven.  Click here to get the episode enhancements sent directly to your inbox every week.Reviews and ratings help my show gain traction and credibility.  Please leave a review here- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-home-renovations-with-the-house-maven/id1481716218Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovationsJoin me on Facebook: Talking Home RenovationsTalking Home Renovations with the House Maven is part of Gabl Media, the largest, most engaged AEC network on the planet.  Visit www.Gablmedia.com for great content. Sign up for the weekly newsletter- I send out the episode enhancements every Wednesday morning,   sign up hereMusic at the beginning and end of the episode is The House Maven's Jig, written and performed by Neil Pearlman, www.neilpearlman.comShow Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.comThis podcast is a production of dEmios Architects. www.demiosarchitects.com

Is your door looking a little sad and you think your only option is to replace it? I just learned that there are specialists who will take your door away and bring it back looking like new. How did I not know this? Amy Baglan joined me this week to discuss her work at Door Renew Denver. We discussed door care, door refurbishment, working in this industry and the process. About our guestAs a 4x CEO, Amy Baglan has built multiple companies dedicated to connection and relationships over the past 20 years, raised over $10M in venture funding, and built an award-winning company culture. Two of her companies were acquired and continue to serve the world to this day. And more importantly, she has helped over 1 million people meet, connect, and deepen relationships of all types. After 20 years in high-growth startups (B2C and B2B), 10 years as CEO, mentor, and group facilitator, she is now a dedicated leadership coach to startup CEOs and teams. Amy also owns a fast-growing franchise in the home services industry: Door Renew. Amy Baglan, along with Matt Holzmann, are the local owners of Door Renew Denver – a high-end door restoration franchise focused on growing the value of a home for the fraction of the cost.Thanks so much for being with us this week.  Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.comDo you have feedback you would like to share?  Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?  Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friendsDon’t forget to subscribe to the show and get automatic updates every Wednesday morning with the latest episode of Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven.  Click here to get the episode enhancements sent directly to your inbox every week.Reviews and ratings help my show gain traction and credibility.  Please leave a review here- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-home-renovations-with-the-house-maven/id1481716218Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovationsJoin me on Facebook: Talking Home RenovationsTalking Home Renovations with the House Maven is part of Gabl Media, the largest, most engaged AEC network on the planet.  Visit www.Gablmedia.com for great content. Sign up for the weekly newsletter- I send out the episode enhancements every Wednesday morning,   sign up hereMusic at the beginning and end of the episode is The House Maven's Jig, written and performed by Neil Pearlman, www.neilpearlman.comShow Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.comThis podcast is a production of dEmios Architects. www.demiosarchitects.com

This week we are revisiting episode 51. Great for women in renovations season!A listener wrote to request an episode on insulation- here it is! Christine Williamson of Building Science Fight Club explains the factors to consider when insulating your house. I hope you enjoy this deep dive into the subject. Christine is an accomplished building scientist who has a large following on instagram through her account Building Science Fight Club (@buildingsciencefightclub). She can also be reached through her website https://www.christine-williamson.comAbout our guest:Christine Williamson’s professional experience includes building-science consulting for the restoration of Belvedere Castle in New York City’s Central Park, forensic investigations of building failures at the air-traffic control tower of LAX, and the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, among other projects. She offers new-construction risk-mitigation consulting for residential towers, mid-rise mixed-use buildings, and production homes, as well as some of the most extraordinary private residences in the world. She has worked across North America from the Canadian Arctic to the Caribbean. She began her career working for architect Chris Benedict in New York City, where she performed blower-door tests on gut rehabs in Harlem and Washington Heights and assisted in the design of one of the first multi-family Passive Houses in the United States. In her current practice, she reviews drawings and makes recommendations that promote appropriate water control, air control, energy efficiency, constructability, and durability. For clients with a portfolio of upcoming projects, she assists in developing design standards commensurate with their tolerance for risk. During the construction phase, she reviews work in progress and addresses conditions or changes in sequence or scope that were not anticipated during the design phase.In existing buildings, she investigates failures related to enclosure design and mechanical systems as well as material and installation defects. Failures include leaks, corrosion, rot, mold, odors, poor indoor air quality, and discomfort due to poor temperature or humidity control. Her experience in new construction and attendant understanding of the division of labor among the trades, and typical sequencing and construction practices inform not just her analysis in forensic cases, but also her repair and retrofit recommendations, which are designed to minimize disruption in occupied buildings.Christine Williamson is a member and former chair of ASHRAE Technical Committee 1.12, Moisture Management in Buildings. She is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is a member of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA). She is the founder of @buildingsciencefightclub (BSFC), an Instagram community dedicated to teaching building science and construction to architects and other building professionals.She received her bachelor of arts from Princeton University and her master of architecture from New School of Architecture + Design.Thanks so much for being with us this week.  Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.comDo you have feedback you would like to share?  Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?  Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friendsDon’t forget to subscribe to the show and get automatic updates every Wednesday morning...

This episode we are revisiting episode 9 with British architect Debbie Bentley.Designing your house for the future:Build lessDo you really need to build more and increase your footprint? Think about how you use your house now and list everything that you would like to change. Are there areas in your house that are under-used? These days that is often the formal dining room. Can you change how you think about your spaces and alter them to suit your needs? Many clients are looking for extra room as their children grow, but once they fully grow you will no longer have the space issue. Instead of building onto your house, think about temporary creative solutions. If you need more space for occasional guests, is there a nearby hotel or air bob that they could use?&nbsp;Everyone likes a little bit of space during a visit and would cost a lot less in the long run. Will you stay in the house until you are quite old, intending to age in place?&nbsp;You can plan for that now by increasing door widths and hallways- for example.&nbsp;Since you are investing in your house, make sure it is a place you can easily adapt to as you age.&nbsp;Climate Change&nbsp;How will the climate in your area change in the years to come? Massachusetts will be getting much more rain and will have more freeze/thaw issues. How do we plan for that? A renown building scientists states that there are 3 issues that affect the longevity of your home, water, water and water. So if your in a climate which is going to have more wet weather, start thinking about how your going to keep the water out of your home. Simple roof design, with minimal junctions, as junctions are what fail in building material. Roof overhangs, bigger gutters, more down spouts, and a plan to keep water away from foundations. At the same time, the water will need to stay on your property and not run over to the neighbor's. In densely populated areas this may mean installing an underground system. It will be easier to implement all of that during your renovation rather than combatting the problems later. dRemember how our grandparents use to live.&nbsp;ïThe hall vestibule as an airlock between out doors and in.&nbsp;ïCurtains over the front door, to keep the heat in.ïBooks on the external wall.ïShoes off inside a building… Make sure you have a shoe closet of else you fall over everyone’s shoes. Less dirt in the house=less chemicals=improved indoor air qualityUse windows wiselyNo more than 30 percent of your walls should be windows so pick where they go carefully. Consider restoring or rebuilding your original windows and add storms- you don’t need to replace them with vinyl windows. Maximize your views of nature as that will improve mental health.Recommended reading:Welcome to your world : Sarah Williams Goldhagen&nbsp;https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Your-World-Environment-Shapes/dp/0061957801Lily Bernheimer: The Shaping of Us.&nbsp;https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Us-Everyday-Structure-Well-Being/dp/1595348727/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+shaping+of+us&amp;qid=1578417465&amp;s=books&amp;sr=1-1The architecture of happiness: Alain Bottom&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Architecture-Happiness-Alain-Botton/dp/0307277240/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+architecture+of+happiness&amp;qid=1578417523&amp;s=books&amp;sr=1-1" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

In 2021 I interviewed designer Cara Newhart about her mission to empower women to tackle home improvement and renovation projects on their own. I'm glad to revisit this interview in this season of women in renovations. About our guest: Cara Newhart is a designer and diy queen and the host of the Make Space Podcast.&nbsp;After losing her dad to cancer and without his contractor-expertise to guide her in customizing her first home, she decided to dive in without fear and tackle epic diy projects all by herself- transforming her home solo, teaching herself to use power tools, and finding the confidence to bring her design ideas to life. &nbsp;Cara is on a mission to empower everyday women to take charge of their homes and design spaces they’re obsessed with- on their terms. &nbsp;As the host of MAKE SPACE, she helps women dive deeper than pin-worthy rooms to uncover home design strategies, learn to tackle power tool projects without intimidation and unlock the confidence to transform their spaces.&nbsp;Cara has been featured in Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, PEOPLE StyleWatch and more.&nbsp;She’s collaborated with brands like The Home Depot, Amazon, Wayfair, sleep.com and others.&nbsp;www.neverskipbrunch.comInstagram and TikTok- @makespaceThanks so much for being with us this week.&nbsp; Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.comDo you have feedback you would like to share?&nbsp; Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?&nbsp; Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friendsDon’t forget to subscribe to the show and get automatic updates every Wednesday morning with the latest episode of Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven.&nbsp;&nbsp;Click here to get the episode enhancements sent directly to your inbox every week.Reviews and ratings help my show gain traction and credibility.&nbsp; Please leave a review here- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-home-renovations-with-the-house-maven/id1481716218Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovationsJoin me on Facebook: Talking Home RenovationsFollow me on Twitter: @talkinghomerenoJoin me on TikTok: @The House MavenTalking Home Renovations with the House Maven is part of Gabl Media, the largest, most engaged AEC network on the planet.&nbsp; Visit www.Gablmedia.com for great content.&nbsp;Sign up for the weekly newsletter- I send out the episode enhancements every Wednesday morning, &nbsp;&nbsp;sign up hereMusic at the beginning and end of the episode is The House Maven's Jig, written and performed by Neil Pearlman, www.neilpearlman.comShow Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.comThis podcast is a production of dEmios Architects. www.demiosarchitects.com

We revisited episode 62 this week, 2 years later. High Performance Architect Emily Mottram joins me in this episode to talk about the renovation she is undertaking at her home in Maine. She calls her renovation a pretty good renovation which is in keeping with the principles of the pretty good house (https://www.prettygoodhouse.org) which is building better than required by code until it doesn't make financial sense. Like all of us, she encountered scope creep and has some advice based on her experience. About our guest: Emily is the founder and principal of Mottram Architecture, a boutique practice specializing in new homes and renovations that are beautiful, functional, comfortable, healthy, and durable. &nbsp;Emily received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Penn State University and is a Registered Architect in Maine, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania; she has also previously been registered in New York and Texas. Emily is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council (MIAQC), and the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), the state’s leading organization working to protect and preserve the environment.An educator at heart, Emily also teaches building science and sustainable design at a local community college and has served as a consultant for projects in a secondary school trade program. She hosts the weekly podcast E3: Energy and Efficiency with Emily&nbsp;and co-hosts the live-streamed BS* + Beer Show, a weekly building science show for professionals and “civilians” alike.&nbsp;*********************************************************Laura Parrish is my guest this week, talking about her historic Massachusetts properties. She bought her 1855 Italianate mansion in New Bedford about 10 years ago, and is now working on her third property, the oldest house in Bourne, MA. She loves to share her houses with others through AirBnB rentals. Laura shared what she has learned about working on historic houses and the hospitality world.Instagram: @_thewhalehouse_@theminnowfalmouth@oldcrowellfarmWebsites:The Whale House- https://www.thewhalehousenb.comThe Minnow on AirBNB- https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/679531034866064071?source_impression_id=p3_1689127039_bF0lO4%2FyWyOBYj3xThanks so much for being with us this week.&nbsp; Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.comDo you have feedback you would like to share?&nbsp; Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?&nbsp; Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friendsDon’t forget to subscribe to the show and get automatic updates every Wednesday morning with the latest episode of Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven.&nbsp;&nbsp;Click here to get the episode enhancements sent directly to your inbox every week.Reviews and ratings help my show gain traction and credibility.&nbsp; Please leave a review here-...

This week we revisited an episode from November 2021 on Return on Investments when it comes to renovations. I interviewed her about 6 months before we sold our house and I did take a lot of her advice! About our guest: Daryl Cohan has been helping home buyers and sellers since 2001. She is determined to help her clients reach their goals in considers her role one of education. Her excellence in listening to her clients wants and needs have made her a "people's choice" in the Boston real estate communityhttps://www.compass.com/agents/daryl-cohan/Thanks so much for being with us this week.&nbsp; Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.comDo you have feedback you would like to share?&nbsp; Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?&nbsp; Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friendsDon’t forget to subscribe to the show and get automatic updates every Wednesday morning with the latest episode of Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven.&nbsp;&nbsp;Click here to get the episode enhancements sent directly to your inbox every week.Reviews and ratings help my show gain traction and credibility.&nbsp; Please leave a review here- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-home-renovations-with-the-house-maven/id1481716218Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovationsJoin me on Facebook: Talking Home RenovationsFollow me on Twitter: @talkinghomerenoJoin me on TikTok: @The House MavenTalking Home Renovations with the House Maven is part of Gabl Media, the largest, most engaged AEC network on the planet.&nbsp; Visit www.Gablmedia.com for great content.&nbsp;Sign up for the weekly newsletter- I send out the episode enhancements every Wednesday morning, &nbsp;&nbsp;sign up hereMusic at the beginning and end of the episode is The House Maven's Jig, written and performed by Neil Pearlman, www.neilpearlman.comShow Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.comThis podcast is a production of dEmios Architects. www.demiosarchitects.com

Homes everywhere are susceptible to some sort of natural disaster. Carl Dugas of Storm Guard Roofing in Louisiana provides a firsthand account as to what recovery looks like and how to prepare for severe storms, as well as move forward after disaster strikes.about our guest: Carl Dugas has owned and operated a Storm Guard Roofing and Construction franchise in the New Orleans area for the last eight years. As a local, Carl has seen firsthand the devastation hurricanes and tropical storms have wrought on the Gulf Coast and has assisted in rebuilding and recovery efforts for many homeowners, most notably following Hurricane Ida in 2021. Carl and his team work everyday to ensure roofs in the New Orleans area are ready to weather these storms and is there to help homeowners when disaster strikes.https://www.stormguardrc.com/la/new-orleans/https://www.linkedin.com/company/storm-guard-roofing-and-construction-of-new-orleanshttps://www.facebook.com/StormGuardNewOrleans/https://twitter.com/SGNewOrleansThanks so much for being with us this week.&nbsp; Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.comDo you have feedback you would like to share?&nbsp; Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?&nbsp; Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friendsDon’t forget to subscribe to the show and get automatic updates every Wednesday morning with the latest episode of Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven.&nbsp;&nbsp;Click here to get the episode enhancements sent directly to your inbox every week.Reviews and ratings help my show gain traction and credibility.&nbsp; Please leave a review here- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-home-renovations-with-the-house-maven/id1481716218Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovationsJoin me on Facebook: Talking Home RenovationsFollow me on Twitter: @talkinghomerenoJoin me on TikTok: @The House MavenTalking Home Renovations with the House Maven is part of Gabl Media, the largest, most engaged AEC network on the planet.&nbsp; Visit www.Gablmedia.com for great content.&nbsp;Sign up for the weekly newsletter- I send out the episode enhancements every Wednesday morning, &nbsp;&nbsp;sign up hereMusic at the beginning and end of the episode is The House Maven's Jig, written and performed by Neil Pearlman, www.neilpearlman.comShow Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.comThis podcast is a production of dEmios Architects. www.demiosarchitects.com

We are taking a break for a few weeks and revisiting renovation stories from the past few years. This one is a cautionary tale with a happy ending, originally published as episode 88. Mitra Shahri is a well known and very successful attorney licensed to practice law in Oregon and California. After giving up on the idea of ever finding love, she bought her first ever property, a 2 bedroom 2 bath penthouse unit in a sought after downtown highrise in Portland Oregon with amazing views of river and mountains. She hired a general contractor with a great reputation that was highly recommended by several credible friends. A project that was scheduled to be completed in 3 months and for $55,000, turned into a 2-year nighmare that cost her over $250,000 and invited a lawsuit against her by a flooded unit 9 floors below her. The project came to a halt after she fired the second general contractor. Frustrated, she took over the project on her own. She hired several subcontractors to fix the mistakes and complete the project. Three months later, she owned a beautiful overpriced unit that she had to sell at a $400,000 loss a year later during the housing market crash. Why did she have to sell? Because she had fallen head over heels in love with the electrical contractor she had hired to finish the project. The two bought a house together after they were married and since have purchased several residential and commerical buildings which they have renovated acting as general contractors. Mitra is an author and a women’s empowerment keynote speaker. She is the founder and CEO of&nbsp;Laughter-At-Law™, a humorous Continuing Legal Education Series for attorneys.&nbsp;Mitra is a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) and the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH). Her hobby is writing legal humor and performing stand-up legal comedy.Thanks so much for being with us this week.&nbsp; Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.comDo you have feedback you would like to share?&nbsp; Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?&nbsp; Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friendsDon’t forget to subscribe to the show and get automatic updates every Wednesday morning with the latest episode of Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven.&nbsp;&nbsp;Click here to get the episode enhancements sent directly to your inbox every week.Reviews and ratings help my show gain traction and credibility.&nbsp; Please leave a review here- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-home-renovations-with-the-house-maven/id1481716218Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovationsJoin me on Facebook: Talking Home RenovationsFollow me on Twitter: @talkinghomerenoJoin me on TikTok: @The House MavenTalking Home Renovations with the House Maven is part of Gabl Media, the largest, most engaged AEC network on the planet.&nbsp; Visit www.Gablmedia.com for great content.&nbsp;Sign up for the weekly newsletter- I send out the episode enhancements every Wednesday morning, &nbsp;&nbsp;sign up hereMusic at the beginning and end of the episode is The House Maven's Jig, written and performed by Neil Pearlman, <a...

Valerie Hill is an interior designer renovating a 1920s bungalow with her husband Justin in Seattle. We talked about how much time a renovation really takes, working with a spouse and building a local community.Instagram- @hillandvalleybungalowAbout our guest: Valerie is a creative BBC explorer based in Seattle who has taken her interest in design into an interior design degree, through some professional practice and most recently as a hands-on renovator. Holistic in approach, she is always asking questions, challenging assumptions (her own included) and diving into new options. "Design is never really done," has been her approach as she and her intrepid live-in design assistant/laborer (husband) work to restore life to their serviceable, but time-worn Seattle craftsman home. Inspired by the house's inherent characteristics she lovingly layers in other elements and styles to create a rich yet approachable retreat. Valerie is a doer - from design to blogging, building and restoring, traveling and consulting, she keeps her perspectives wide. She believes in reclamation, restoration, and reinvention but is not singularly focused on any one approach. Instead using them as tools at her disposal to find and create moments of joy and delight within a broadly comfortable canvas. Thanks so much for being with us this week.&nbsp; Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.comDo you have feedback you would like to share?&nbsp; Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?&nbsp; Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friendsDon’t forget to subscribe to the show and get automatic updates every Wednesday morning with the latest episode of Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven.&nbsp;&nbsp;Click here to get the episode enhancements sent directly to your inbox every week.Reviews and ratings help my show gain traction and credibility.&nbsp; Please leave a review here- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-home-renovations-with-the-house-maven/id1481716218Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovationsJoin me on Facebook: Talking Home RenovationsFollow me on Twitter: @talkinghomerenoJoin me on TikTok: @The House MavenTalking Home Renovations with the House Maven is part of Gabl Media, the largest, most engaged AEC network on the planet.&nbsp; Visit www.Gablmedia.com for great content.&nbsp;Sign up for the weekly newsletter- I send out the episode enhancements every Wednesday morning, &nbsp;&nbsp;sign up hereMusic at the beginning and end of the episode is The House Maven's Jig, written and performed by Neil Pearlman, www.neilpearlman.comShow Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.comThis podcast is a production of dEmios Architects. www.demiosarchitects.com

In this episode we discuss reviving a delapidated former hoarder house built in the 1770s. This is a re-edit of episode 35, the first renovation story episode. My guest for this renovation story is Kim Tierney, owner and caretaker of Bloomfield Farm, a beautiful stone farmhouse in Virginia built in 1775. I have been following her account on TikTok and am grateful that she took the time to record her story of acquiring the house, her approach to preservation, the history of the house and her challenges. Instagram: @bloomfieldfarmrestorationFacebook: Bloomfield FarmTikTok: @bloomfieldfarmYouTube: bloomfieldfarmVAAbout this episode's guest "We’re so happy to have you along for our great adventure of renovating our 1775 stone farm house in Virginia.&nbsp;This has been a dream in the making for over 30 years. We are honored, blessed, humbled and thrilled to be the new owners and the ones to bring this gorgeous gal back to life.I’m a writer by love. A rehabber by happenstance ~ mostly because I’ve never had enough money to buy what I want ~ so I buy the broken homes and fix them hopefully to their original luster.&nbsp;A Virginian by birth.&nbsp;An old house lover by soul. A caretaker by heart. And quite frankly ~ a go-getting / risk-warrior out a shear might&nbsp;(and quite possibly a handful of&nbsp;stupidity in there too).&nbsp;All of what I am has led me to Bloomfield.&nbsp;Now I get to see what she and I will become now that we’ve joined forces.So combining all my “talents” (using that term loosely) and the talents of my husband, Rod and many other able bodied folks along the way – I have decided to blog about our rehab adventure.Note that Rod and I are a couple of grassroots, spit &amp; glue-ing, elbow grease-ing, hardworking, determined, hard headed folks.&nbsp;If we can fix it ourselves – we will. So that alone will be comical to many!Thanks for coming along for the ride.&nbsp;We hope to make you belly laugh at our trials &amp; tribulations. Make you smile at our successes. Thrill you with our adventures. Cry along with us at our failures.&nbsp;But most of all ~ we hope you enjoy the journey with us.Oh! A word of warning… be careful what you wish for.&nbsp;Because if you write me and say you’re envious, I’m sure I can find a paintbrush somewhere with your name on it!Thank you for your support and mostly for loving and believing in Bloomfield too! She’s truly a gem."Thanks so much for being with us this week.&nbsp; Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.comDo you have feedback you would like to share?&nbsp; Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?&nbsp; Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friendsDon’t forget to subscribe to the show and get automatic updates every Wednesday morning with the latest episode of Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven.&nbsp;&nbsp;Click here to get the episode enhancements sent directly to your inbox every week.Reviews and ratings help my show gain traction and credibility.&nbsp; Please leave a review here- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-home-renovations-with-the-house-maven/id1481716218Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovationsJoin me on Facebook: Talking Home RenovationsFollow me on Twitter: @talkinghomerenoJoin me on TikTok: @The House...