182 episodes

Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven is an educational and entertaining podcast that will ease your fears about home renovations. In this fifth season, architect Katharine MacPhail focuses on old house owners and their home stories. She will continue to interview contractors, vendors, other architects and homeowners, gathering tips and getting answers. The first four seasons are full of information about everything from roofing to foundations, interior and exterior considerations, the emotional side of renovations, how to work with professionals and lots of homeowner stories.

Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven Katharine White MacPhail//Gabl Media

    • Leisure
    • 4.9 • 66 Ratings

Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven is an educational and entertaining podcast that will ease your fears about home renovations. In this fifth season, architect Katharine MacPhail focuses on old house owners and their home stories. She will continue to interview contractors, vendors, other architects and homeowners, gathering tips and getting answers. The first four seasons are full of information about everything from roofing to foundations, interior and exterior considerations, the emotional side of renovations, how to work with professionals and lots of homeowner stories.

    Midcentury Modern in Michigan

    Midcentury Modern in Michigan

    We've got another renovation story in this episode, a mid century modern house in Michigan. My guest is Laurie Hughet-Hiller, a Michigan architect who was lucky to find her gem of a house as her first house. We talked about her house, how she approached her renovations, how to work with an architect, what to look for in a contractor and how to find one.
    About our guest
    An architect focused on experience-driven design that makes an impact, Laurie Hughet-Hiller, AIA is a principal at McIntosh Poris Architects. Her portfolio comprises a wide range of award-winning residential and commercial projects in the Metro Detroit area, including renovations to Mid Century Modern homes. Laurie has completed two phases of sensitive renovation of her own 1960s modern home and is about to embark on a third.
    Born into an artistic family, Laurie’s late father, Roger Hughet, was Assistant Chief Designer at General Motors, credited with designing the 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and having significant influence on the 1984 C4 Corvette. Laurie earned both her B.S. in Architecture and her Master of Architecture from the Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor). Her individual honors include the 2017 AIA Michigan Young Architect Award and the 2020 AIA Detroit Young Architect Award, in addition to McIntosh Poris’ 100-plus awards.

    • 28 min
    Residential Landscape Design

    Residential Landscape Design

    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.com
    Do you have feedback you would like to share?  Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?  Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.com
    If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends
    Don’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/id1481716218
    Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovations
    Join me on Facebook: Talking Home Renovations
    Talking 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 here
    Music at the beginning and end of the episode is The House Maven's Jig, written and performed by Neil Pearlman, www.neilpearlman.com
    Show Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.com
    This podcast is a production of dEmios Architects. www.demiosarchitects.com

    • 25 min
    How to hire the right design professional, revisited

    How to hire the right design professional, revisited

    We haven't touched on how to hire an architect or residential designer in quite a while, so here is another look at episode 68 with Jake Krowkoski.
    In this episode, you will discover…….
    - How do I know if I need an architect?
    - Where can I find architects online?
    - How can I tell which architect will be a good fit for me?
    - What should I bring to my interview with my architect?
    About our guest
    Jake Krokowski is a Landscape Architect and Residential Designer based in Greenville SC, and founded JWK DESIGN in 2015 “to help families create their comfortable, modern homes”. He received his Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture at Cornell University in 1999, followed by a Masters in Construction Management in 2003.
    Jake started his career in high-end residential work in the New York City area, but also spent years in resort planning & design, working in both San Diego and New York, on projects from Southern California and Baja Mexico to the Mediterranean and Middle East. He then put his construction knowledge to use in rebuilding the World Trade Center and surrounding streetscapes following the 2001 attacks, a project he says he’s the most proud to have been involved in.
    But, following a move to Greenville with his wife Kate in 2012, a sometimes grueling schedule as a traveling construction manager for a hotel developer, coupled with the pending arrival of his first son pushed him to return back to residential design and start his firm in 2015, a move that he says “felt like coming home”. Since then he has added another son to his family, as well as a podcast and a couple YouTube channels!
    Learn more about Jake Krokowski 
    Website: https://jwk.design
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtIpndhgB4YISmopKTAZHWw
    Instagram: jwkdesign
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jwkdesign/
    Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/jwkdesign/jwk-design
    Links and mentions from this episode
    AIA.org
    Houzz.com
    Thanks so much for being with us this week.  Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.com
    Do you have feedback you would like to share?  Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?  Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.com
    If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends
    Don’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-...

    • 32 min
    Brick Colonial in Indiana

    Brick Colonial in Indiana

    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_park
    Thanks so much for being with us this week.  Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.com
    Do you have feedback you would like to share?  Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?  Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.com
    If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends
    Don’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/id1481716218
    Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovations
    Join me on Facebook: Talking Home Renovations
    Talking 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 here
    Music at the beginning and end of the episode is The House Maven's Jig, written and performed by Neil Pearlman, www.neilpearlman.com
    Show Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.com
    This podcast is a production of dEmios Architects. www.demiosarchitects.com

    • 27 min
    Queen Anne in Pennsylvania

    Queen Anne in Pennsylvania

    Frank Cesaro and Jim Jones joined me this week to talk about the project they've taken on- a Queen Anne Victorian in Scranton PA.
    “Frank was born and raised in New Jersey and Jim in Pennsylvania. They met in 2018 when Jim relocated to New Jersey for work and as they say, “the rest is history!”
    Frank holds a project management role in business banking and Jim is a project manager in pharmaceuticals. While handy, neither of them have prior experience in restoration or home building.
    In 2021, they purchased their first old home in Denville, NJ. After living there for 2 years and completing minor cosmetic work, they came across a Victorian home for sale on Facebook. On a whim, they decided to check it out. Three months later and three days before Christmas, their pods were packed and they were ripping out 70 year old carpets of their new 4100 sq ft home.
    Follow their journey on:
    Instagram: https://instagram.com/jonesrevival?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550185953998&mibextid=V3Yony
    Thanks so much for being with us this week.  Please see the episode enhancement for this and other episodes at talkinghomerenovations.com
    Do you have feedback you would like to share?  Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?  Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.com
    If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends
    Don’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/id1481716218
    Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovations
    Join me on Facebook: Talking Home Renovations
    Talking 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 here
    Music at the beginning and end of the episode is The House Maven's Jig, written and performed by Neil Pearlman, www.neilpearlman.com
    Show Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.com
    This podcast is a production of dEmios Architects. www.demiosarchitects.com

    • 36 min
    Door Refurbishment

    Door Refurbishment

    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 guest
    As 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.com
    Do you have feedback you would like to share?  Would you like to be a guest on the podcast?  Email me at thehousemaven@talkinghomerenovations.com
    If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends
    Don’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/id1481716218
    Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovations
    Join me on Facebook: Talking Home Renovations
    Talking 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 here
    Music at the beginning and end of the episode is The House Maven's Jig, written and performed by Neil Pearlman, www.neilpearlman.com
    Show Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.com
    This podcast is a production of dEmios Architects. www.demiosarchitects.com

    • 24 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
66 Ratings

66 Ratings

TomFNP ,

Toledo Dutch Victorian Story

Really enjoyed the background on a beautiful Victorian as well as the story of the Jim Roseland and how people meet the house of their dreams. Including the Land Bank function really serves the restoration movement as well. Good job with the interview and presentation!

Mike in Harrisburg ,

Love the show

Own a 1917 historical house and have listened to 20 or 30 episodes. Really informative and had certainly helped me plan for an upcoming renovation. Appreciate it, thanks.

Jullalalia ,

Rambling and complaining

Primarily awkward interviews where the host rambles and complains about the high cost of her own renovations and then turns around and talks dirt on clients who balk at high costs. For someone who claims to be an expert she seems to have very little knowledge.

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