The House Therapy Podcast

Nina Doiron

House Therapy is your weekly podcast where all things home meet real life. Hosted by Nina Doiron of iSO Design & Interiors, each episode shares simple, practical and inspiring ways to add beauty, ease and function to your home. From staging insights and design tips to organizing, downsizing and even a little Feng Shui, Nina brings over a decade of expertise to help you transform your space — and how you feel in it. Every home can be beautiful with the right guidance. Got questions or want to be a guest on the show? Email: info@isodesign.ca https://isodesign.ca/ Follow us: @istagendesign

  1. 2D AGO

    What Homeowners Must Know Before Renovating: A Contractor’s Advice

    Planning a home renovation can feel overwhelming, especially when budgets, timelines and trust are on the line. In this episode of The House Therapy Podcast, I sit down with Marlon Galea of Upfront Renovations for an honest and practical conversation every homeowner should hear before starting a renovation or remodel. Marlon shares real world insights from over 20 years as a general contractor including the biggest mistakes homeowners make before hiring a contractor, how to spot red flags early and why the cheapest quote often ends up costing the most. We talk about budgeting realities, what a reasonable deposit actually looks like, why bathrooms often blow budgets and how planning and communication can save you stress, money and regret. This episode is packed with value whether you are renovating to live, renovate to sell or planning a future project and want to do it right. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The biggest mistakes homeowners make before calling a contractor Smart questions to ask before hiring a general contractor Red flags to watch for when reviewing renovation quotes What a reasonable renovation deposit looks like Why bathrooms are often more expensive than homeowners expect How to avoid budget blowouts during a remodel Why design planning saves money, not costs more What renovations add real long-term value to your home When homeowners should move out during a renovation How to protect your home emotionally and financially during construction Who This Episode Is For Homeowners planning a renovation or remodel Sellers preparing their home for the market Buyers renovating after purchase Anyone who has had a bad contractor experience Anyone who wants to renovate smarter with fewer surprises Guest Information Marlon Galea - General Contractor Upfront Renovations Website: https://www.upfrontrenovations.ca If this episode resonated with you: What renovation mistake are you most worried about What room are you planning to renovate next Have you ever had a renovation surprise you wish you had avoided Leave a comment share this episode with someone renovating right now and subscribe for more real conversations about homes design and smart decision making. If you are planning a renovation or preparing your home for sale and want help aligning design decisions with real life use and long-term value, you can book a design or staging consultation through the link below. Remember, if you take care of your home it will take care of you. #HomeRenovation#RenovationTips#ContractorAdvice#HomeRemodel#RenovationPlanning#HomeImprovement#RenovationMistakes#TheHouseTherapyPodcast#Homeowners#DesignAndBuild#KitchenRenovation#BathroomRenovation#RenovationBudget#RealEstateAdvice#InteriorDesigner Want to work with me or get support with your home? Book a consultation anytime at isodesign.ca or directly through my scheduling link: https://bit.ly/ISOschedule Have a story to share or want to be a guest on House Therapy? I’d love to hear from you! Email me at info@isodesign.ca with the subject line Podcast Guest Inquiry. Stay connected with us: Follow iSO Design & Interiors on: 📸 Instagram: @istagendesign 📘 Facebook: iSO Design & Interiors Let's stay in touch, grow our community and take care of our homes together. 💛

    59 min
  2. FEB 1

    Selling From Abroad: How a Tenanted Investment Property Sold in Days

    Selling an investment property can feel overwhelming. Selling one while living abroad can feel even more daunting. In this episode I sit down with Jill Schoenhofer, who shares her real experience selling a tenanted and dated investment property in Newmarket while living in Nassau. We never met in person during the process. Every decision was made through email Zoom and trust. You will hear how having the right team made all the difference. Jill shares why she chose to stage the entire home once the tenants moved out and how professional staging helped buyers see past the 50-year-old finishes and dated layout. We talk about what surprised her most during the transformation and why staging became the competitive edge in a shifting winter market. If you are an investor, a homeowner or someone considering selling a property you do not live near, this episode will help you understand where investing your time and money makes sense. 🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform 👍 If this episode helped you please like follow and share it with someone who needs to hear it If you are seeking some sun or planning a trip to Nassau and are looking for a place to stay, Jill Schoenhofer has three properties which you can choose from: https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/1295677237523099076?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=4104a35a-c003-49dd-ab1d-a0209d82fa89 https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/1295975382920812081?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=f618fe40-6670-46aa-9be1-827093744022 https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/31564878?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=b197cc04-9421-4b91-be20-4a6b459b14be Want to work with me or get support with your home? Book a consultation anytime at isodesign.ca or directly through my scheduling link: https://bit.ly/ISOschedule Have a story to share or want to be a guest on House Therapy? I’d love to hear from you! Email me at info@isodesign.ca with the subject line Podcast Guest Inquiry. Stay connected with us: Follow iSO Design & Interiors on: 📸 Instagram: @istagendesign 📘 Facebook: iSO Design & Interiors Let's stay in touch, grow our community and take care of our homes together. 💛

    30 min
  3. JAN 25

    Interior Design Trends For 2026

    Interior design trends are shifting and 2026 is not about doing more. It is about doing what feels right. In this episode of the House Therapy Podcast, I walk through the interior design trends shaping homes in 2026 and the trends quietly fading away. This is not about chasing what is popular online. It is about understanding what people are craving in their spaces right now and how to create homes that feel calm comfortable and personal. I share ten up and coming design trends including rich earthy colour palettes, organic shapes, layered textures, heritage pieces, flexible spaces and warmer lighting. We also talk about trends on the way out like ultra minimal interiors, all white rooms, cookie cutter spaces and overdone finishes that no longer support how people actually live. This episode is for homeowners, realtors and anyone who wants to update their space thoughtfully without regret. I also share practical ways to use trends without over renovating and how to balance what is current with what is timeless. 🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform 👍 If this episode helped you please follow the show and share it with someone who loves design Want to work with me or get support with your home? Book a consultation anytime at isodesign.ca or directly through my scheduling link: https://bit.ly/ISOschedule Have a story to share or want to be a guest on House Therapy? I’d love to hear from you! Email me at info@isodesign.ca with the subject line Podcast Guest Inquiry. Stay connected with us: Follow iSO Design & Interiors on: 📸 Instagram: @istagendesign 📘 Facebook: iSO Design & Interiors Let's stay in touch, grow our community and take care of our homes together. 💛

    18 min
  4. JAN 18

    Real-Time Staging Advice

    Getting a listing ready feels overwhelming when the space is small, dark or full of heavy furniture. In this episode I sit down with RE/MAX Hallmark Chay realtor Diana Baggett, who brings 17 years of real estate experience and more than 30 years in client service. Together we walk through her upcoming listing and I give real-time staging advice you can use in your own home. We talk through the foyer, kitchen, dining area and living room and break down what buyers see first, what makes a home feel crowded and how small changes make a big impact. You will hear simple ways to brighten a dark room, how to work around tight layouts, how to remove visual weight and why furniture placement makes or breaks a space. Diana also shares what she sees sellers struggle with most and why preparing your home properly matters more in today’s market than ever before. If you are thinking about selling or you want to improve your space, this episode will give you clear steps and the confidence to get started. 📩 To contact Diana for real estate questions or to book a listing consultation: Diana Baggett | RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty Phone: 705-770-9646 Email: hello@the-realestategroup.com Instagram: @dianabaggettlife If this episode helps you please follow, share and leave a rating. It makes a big difference. Want to work with me or get support with your home? Book a consultation anytime at isodesign.ca or directly through my scheduling link: https://bit.ly/ISOschedule Have a story to share or want to be a guest on House Therapy? I’d love to hear from you! Email me at info@isodesign.ca with the subject line Podcast Guest Inquiry. Stay connected with us: Follow iSO Design & Interiors on: 📸 Instagram: @istagendesign 📘 Facebook: iSO Design & Interiors Let's stay in touch, grow our community and take care of our homes together. 💛

    46 min
  5. JAN 11

    A Guide To Helping Seniors Sell Their Family Home

    Selling a home later in life is emotional and deeply personal. For many seniors it is the first move they have made in decades and the process can feel overwhelming. In this episode of the House Therapy Podcast I talk about how to help seniors sell their family home with care confidence and clarity. I share why staging plays an important role for this seller demographic and why staging for seniors looks very different than traditional staging. You will learn: Why many seniors are choosing to downsize and when this usually happens How staging helps buyers see potential without erasing memories Why selling today is very different than it was decades ago When it is best to stage after a senior has moved out How to simplify staging when a senior is still living in the home Why decluttering and neutralizing matter more than renovations How to reposition furniture to improve flow and safety Why lighting and removing heavy drapery make such a big difference How small thoughtful changes can lead to better results and less stress This episode is for seniors thinking about selling, adult children trying to support their parents and realtors working with ageing clients. It offers gentle education practical guidance and reassurance that staging does not need to feel cold complicated or disruptive. 🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform 👍 If this episode helped you please download like and share it with someone who needs this support Want to work with me or get support with your home? Book a consultation anytime at isodesign.ca or directly through my scheduling link: https://bit.ly/ISOschedule Have a story to share or want to be a guest on House Therapy? I’d love to hear from you! Email me at info@isodesign.ca with the subject line Podcast Guest Inquiry. Stay connected with us:Follow iSO Design & Interiors on: 📸 Instagram: @istagendesign 📘 Facebook: iSO Design & Interiors Let's stay in touch, grow our community and take care of our homes together. 💛

    12 min
  6. What Today’s Sellers Get Wrong and How to Get It Right

    JAN 4

    What Today’s Sellers Get Wrong and How to Get It Right

    Selling a home today feels harder than ever. Prices have shifted. Buyer expectations have changed. Many homeowners still think it is 2022 and they struggle to understand what their home is truly worth. If you have felt confused about where the market is heading or unsure about what actually helps your home sell, you are not alone. In this episode I sit down with long time York Region realtor Chris Seney, who has been in the business for 34 years and has seen every kind of market. Chris shares the simple steps he uses to help sellers get better results even when the market is slow. We talk about pricing with confidence, preparing your home so buyers fall in love the moment they walk in and why some listings fail while others thrive. Chris also shares a real story about one of our shared clients who turned a dated and crowded home into a fast sale with a strong price by following the right plan. You will hear how small changes like lighting, paint and staging helped them move to their dream home without leaving money on the table. If you want to understand how to sell well in today’s market or you want a behind the scenes look into what truly moves the needle in a listing, this episode is for you. To connect with Chris or ask him real estate questions, you can reach him directly at: Chris Seney | RE/MAX Hallmark York Group Realty Ltd Email: cseney@rogers.com Phone: (905) 717-1988 Instagram: @ soldbychrisseney Want to work with me or get support with your home? Book a consultation anytime at isodesign.ca or directly through my scheduling link: https://bit.ly/ISOschedule Have a story to share or want to be a guest on House Therapy? I’d love to hear from you! Email me at info@isodesign.ca with the subject line Podcast Guest Inquiry. Stay connected with us: Follow iSO Design & Interiors on: 📸 Instagram: @istagendesign 📘 Facebook: iSO Design & Interiors Let's stay in touch, grow our community and take care of our homes together. 💛

    33 min
  7. Why Your Home Isn’t Selling: A Realtor’s Honest Take

    12/28/2025

    Why Your Home Isn’t Selling: A Realtor’s Honest Take

    In this episode I sit down with my friend and trusted realtor Barbara Sitko-Kwapis to talk about the real estate truths homeowners need to hear. Barbara brings years of experience in sales marketing and project management and she shares honest insights about what today’s buyers really want and what sellers often get wrong. We talk about the emotional side of selling your home the stress sellers face the misconceptions around “my house is the best” and why trust between a seller and their realtor matters more than ever.Barbara breaks down: The 3 things she looks for the moment she enters a seller’s homeWhy curb appeal and first impressions are deal-breakersWhat buyers expect right now (and why move-in-ready matters)How staging creates the “magic” that makes buyers fall in loveWhere sellers should invest for the biggest returnWhat choosing the right realtor actually looks likeWhy relationships and trust are the foundation of every successful saleIf you are a homeowner thinking about selling or a realtor wanting clearer language for guiding clients, this conversation will give you practical steps and real clarity. If you have more questions for Barbara, you can reach her at (905) 716-5900 or visit her website at barbara@ilovemyjob.ca Want to work with me or get support with your home? Book a consultation anytime at isodesign.ca or directly through my scheduling link: https://bit.ly/ISOschedule Have a story to share or want to be a guest on House Therapy? I’d love to hear from you! Email me at info@isodesign.ca with the subject line Podcast Guest Inquiry. Stay connected with us: Follow iSO Design & Interiors on: 📸 Instagram: @istagendesign 📘 Facebook: iSO Design & Interiors Let's stay in touch, grow our community and take care of our homes together. 💛

    41 min

About

House Therapy is your weekly podcast where all things home meet real life. Hosted by Nina Doiron of iSO Design & Interiors, each episode shares simple, practical and inspiring ways to add beauty, ease and function to your home. From staging insights and design tips to organizing, downsizing and even a little Feng Shui, Nina brings over a decade of expertise to help you transform your space — and how you feel in it. Every home can be beautiful with the right guidance. Got questions or want to be a guest on the show? Email: info@isodesign.ca https://isodesign.ca/ Follow us: @istagendesign