DEMO THIS. BUILD THAT.

Elizabeth Vergara
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DEMO THIS. BUILD THAT. is your exclusive backstage pass into the world of high-end home renovations. Hosted by Elizabeth Vergara of Vergara Homes — this podcast dives into the beauty, chaos, and magic behind turning dust and demo into custom luxury living. From full-gut renovations and apartment overhauls to dreamy design collabs and behind-the-scenes drama, Elizabeth brings you inside the process with real talk, top-tier guests, and design inspiration that’ll have you wanting to break down a wall or two. Welcome to the heart of the home — where things get real, and beautiful.

Episodes

  1. Ep. 02: Raising the Bar: Behind the Scenes at The Chandelier Room

    7 HR AGO

    Ep. 02: Raising the Bar: Behind the Scenes at The Chandelier Room

    What does it really take to build a show stopping luxury bar in just five days—while battling curveballs, tight budgets, and midnight pivots? In this can’t-miss episode of Demo This Build That, host Elizabeth Vergara sits down with Jose from The Chandelier Room in Staten Island for a brutally honest, behind-the-scenes look at the wild journey of transforming his space and business. You’ll discover: How a single DM on Instagram kickstarted a whirlwind collaboration that turned speedy sketches into a dream bar—practically overnight.The surprising last-minute design changes, budget challenges, and relentless work hours that went into making the Chandelier Room a true NYC-inspired stunner.The impact of the new bar on public and private events, from paint-and-sip parties to karaoke nights, and how the right design can literally change a business’s trajectory.Real talk about learning from mistakes, transitioning from “glam” Instagram moments to hard-earned expertise, and finding friendship and partnership along the way.A candid discussion about being proud, minority business owners, supporting each other in a competitive industry, and why “taking criticism from people who aren’t in the game” can set you back. Plus, you’ll hear insights on partnering for decor (think: balloon artistry and custom backdrops), discovering unexpected allergies (who knew balloons could be so dangerous?), and the joys and challenges of building something that truly lasts. This episode is for anyone curious about the grit behind the glamour, and anyone dreaming about transforming their own space or business with vision and teamwork. Episode Overview: [00:00:00] Welcome & Introduction to The Chandelier Room journey[00:01:12] How it all began—Instagram DMs & speedy sketches[00:02:32] Design pivots and real-time problem solving[00:03:15] New York vibes and creating a business showstopper[00:04:12] The bar’s impact on events, function, and clientele[00:06:06] Launching public events: Paint-and-sip & culture[00:07:59] The balloon store story: From trial-and-error to high quality[00:09:22] Health surprises and learning to adapt in business[00:10:29] Hard work, long hours, and “delusional” hustle[00:12:08] Advice, support, and growing together in business[00:13:45] Importance of detail, mutual expertise, and collaboration[00:14:40] Expanding services: Backdrops, candy carts, and creative builds[00:15:30] Connecting through culture and overcoming obstacles[00:16:29] Women and minorities in business—the real story[00:17:19] Manifesting the future—and celebrating new beginnings Don’t miss this episode if you want to lift the curtain on what it takes to build more than just a beautiful bar—but a thriving community.

    18 min
  2. Ep. 01: Building Luxury From Scratch: The St. Augustine Home Tour Experience

    2 OCT

    Ep. 01: Building Luxury From Scratch: The St. Augustine Home Tour Experience

    Ever wondered how luxury dream homes are really built from the ground up—structural surprises, clever tricks, and all? On this episode of "Demo This. Build That," host Elizabeth Vergara pulls back the curtain on an extraordinary new build in St. Augustine, Florida, taking you step-by-step through the design decisions, challenges, and jaw-dropping details that turn a construction site into a bespoke masterpiece. From a kitchen overflowing with hidden storage (even inside custom columns) to a show-stopping banquette and a lanai built for year-round entertaining, Elizabeth reveals the meticulous planning and must-have features behind this project. Highlights include: How they turned a structural column into a design feature (and doubled the storage in the process!)The secrets to a truly functional, luxury kitchen—think paneled fridges, pot fillers, and appliance drawers galoreA primary suite designed for relaxation, with a spa-inspired bathroom and clever, beautiful finishesWhy thoughtful outdoor living spaces are a Florida must-have (and exactly what was installed in this dreamy lanai) Whether you’re dreaming up your own space or just love peeking inside high-end home projects, this episode is packed with insider tips, unique solutions, and inspiration you can actually use. Episode Overview [00:00:10] Show introduction and episode welcome[00:00:36] Walkthrough begins: Entryway, dining room, and bar[00:01:36] Kitchen tour: storage, bay window banquette, and more[00:02:46] Living room highlights and seamless flow to the lanai[00:03:27] Kitchen storage solutions and luxury appliances[00:04:57] Custom kitchen island and architectural design secrets[00:05:39] Powder room tour and outdoor entertaining space[00:06:21] Primary suite highlights: bedroom and spa-inspired bathroom[00:07:13] Outro and how to connect with Elizabeth Vergara Ready for your backstage pass to luxury homebuilding? Hit play and get inspired!

    8 min
  3. Ep. 00: From Demolition to Dream Home: The Real Renovation Journey

    1 OCT

    Ep. 00: From Demolition to Dream Home: The Real Renovation Journey

    What really happens when luxury renovations get down and dirty? You might drool over those glossy photos in home design magazines, but the real story involves concrete dust, surprise challenges, and daily chaos that never makes the cover spread. In the debut episode of "Demo This, Build That," Elizabeth Vergara—founder of Vergara Homes—takes you behind the polished surface and into the high-stakes, unpredictable world of high-end renovations in New York City. Get ready for an all-access pass to the daily roulette of renovations: from demolition day messes and structural surprises, to navigating the building department and making design choices with clients. Elizabeth lays it all out, sharing what it's actually like to turn dream homes into reality, the importance of craftsmanship and integrity, and how her team handles the stress so homeowners can relax and enjoy the transformation. Whether you're dreaming up your own renovation or just craving a real peek behind the scenes, this episode is packed with insights, excitement, and a dash of construction dust. Episode Overview: [00:00:10] Welcome to "Demo this, Build that"—why luxury design is anything but glamorous behind the scenes[00:00:34] Meet Elizabeth Vergara and discover the mission of Vergara Homes[00:01:29] The daily chaos—and fun—of navigating high-end renovations in NYC[00:02:07] Dirty secrets: what really goes down during demolition, working with crews, and making design magic happen[00:02:46] A seamless process for homeowners: what to expect and how Elizabeth’s team keeps your project on track[00:02:49] Final words: Connect with Elizabeth and get inspired to build your own dream space Hit play to find out what designers really mean when they say, “It’s all part of the process!”

    3 min
  • 3 Episodes

About

DEMO THIS. BUILD THAT. is your exclusive backstage pass into the world of high-end home renovations. Hosted by Elizabeth Vergara of Vergara Homes — this podcast dives into the beauty, chaos, and magic behind turning dust and demo into custom luxury living. From full-gut renovations and apartment overhauls to dreamy design collabs and behind-the-scenes drama, Elizabeth brings you inside the process with real talk, top-tier guests, and design inspiration that’ll have you wanting to break down a wall or two. Welcome to the heart of the home — where things get real, and beautiful.

Information

  • Creator
    Elizabeth Vergara
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Elizabeth Vergara
  • Show Website
    DEMO THIS. BUILD THAT.