The Octagon House

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 guestAn 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.

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 [email protected] 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

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 guestJake 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.designYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtIpndhgB4YISmopKTAZHWwInstagram: jwkdesignFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jwkdesign/Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/jwkdesign/jwk-designLinks and mentions from this episodeAIA.orgHouzz.comThanks 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 [email protected] 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-...

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 [email protected] 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

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=V3YonyThanks 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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

Gabriella Somoza joined me in this episode to talk about her unusual Octagon House in Cape May, New Jersey, her love of historic preservation, interior design and advice about purchasing a house for investment vs your personal home. About our guest:Gabriella was born and raised in New York City. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Eight years ago, she teamed up with her brother Oliver to start S7 Real Estate. S7 Real Estate develops affordable housing in up-and-coming neighborhoods in Philadelphia, PA as well as short term rentals in Cape May NJ. She loves restoring properties to what they should be...and better. She has a passion for interior design, with an emphasis on historic restoration.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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friendsDon’t forget to subscribe to the show and get automatic updates every Wednesday morning...

Vana Carmona tells the story her ongoing revival of a derelict Greek Revival house in Maine. We talked about clearing up titles, the importance of understanding budget and timeline and renovating in the public eye. About our guest:(from Boothbay Register) Vana Carmona is the founder of The Prince Project, a database of over 2000 people of color who lived in Maine prior to 1800.  She has given presentations on her work to local historical societies and schools and is a docent/guide for several historic sites in the Portland area, including Maine Historical Society and Spirits Alive (Eastern Cemetery, the oldest public burial ground in Portland, Maine, which has two sections of African American graves).  She is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, and completed her Masters of Liberal Arts (focusing on Medieval History) at California State University/Sacramento.Link to a blog post about the house: https://portlandhousestories.com/2023/06/25/redux-99-capisic-street/Vana and I met through the Atlantic Black Box Project, as I mentioned in the introduction- here is a link https://atlanticblackbox.com/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 [email protected] 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 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.  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 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"...