Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

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

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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

Mona Ying Reeves, architect, renovation coach and serial renovator, joins me in this episode to talk about gender roles in home renovations. How can we change the dynamic for the future?

About our guest

Feeling stuck when it comes to navigating your renovation? Mona Ying Reeves is the House Coach that will get you past the overwhelm and moving forward. A serial renovator, architect, and behind-the-scenes design consultant to various HGTV home makeover shows, Mona founded Kickstart House to support and empower homeowners with their renovation journeys.

After years of seeing homeowners struggle with a complicated construction landscape, Mona’s on a mission to help homeowners align their surroundings and their journeys with their best lives. With Kickstart House, she’s taken her proven framework of delivering dream homes for high-end clients and refined it into a roadmap that any homeowner can follow.

In addition to coaching homeowners, Mona is a licensed architect in the state of California. She holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from Harvard University and a Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley.

Learn more about Mona Ying Reeves

Website: Kickstart House

Facebook: Kickstart House

Twitter: Kickstart House

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

Follow me on Twitter: @talkinghomereno

Join me on TikTok: @The House Maven

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

How often do you think about your water heater? John Hynds, co-founder of Torii Industries, joins me to discuss their cheaper, more sustainable alternative to the water heaters we know today.

about our guest:

John Hynds is the Co-Founder of Torii Industries, a company pushing the boundaries of smarter, more efficient water heaters. Through high-efficiency technology and an emphasis on sustainability, his one-of-a-kind service aspires to redefine water.

A holder of two US Patents, John has found himself in Director level roles in both Sales and Engineering organizations.

As a former US Marine, John started his civilian career in Bio-Tech, then transitioned to High-Tech in the mid 1980s.

www.Toriiway.com

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Thanks for listening!

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

Visit Talkinghomerenovations.com for episode enhancements, containing photos and more information about the episodes as well as transcripts.  There you can leave a voice message through speak pipe that could be included in a future episode.

Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovations

Join me on Facebook: Talking Home Renovations

Follow me on Twitter: @talkinghomereno

Join me on TikTok: @The House Maven

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

Thanks to Ray Bernoff, the editor of the show. www.RayBernoff.com

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

Do you need a bit of design help? If you are in Massachusetts and need a second set of eyes on your design, my Ask an Architect design help-line can help.  We...

Daryl Cohan joins me to discuss what home renovations will have the best return. Is it worth renovating a kitchen before you sell? What about adding a bedroom or a garage?

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 community

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Thanks for listening!

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

Visit Talkinghomerenovations.com for episode enhancements, containing photos and more information about the episodes as well as transcripts.  There you can leave a voice message through speak pipe that could be included in a future episode.

Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovations

Join me on Facebook: Talking Home Renovations

Follow me on Twitter: @talkinghomereno

Join me on TikTok: @The House Maven

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

Thanks to Ray Bernoff, the editor of the show. www.RayBernoff.com

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

Do you need a bit of design help? If you are in Massachusetts and need a second set of eyes on your design, my Ask an Architect design help-line can help.  We meet on zoom for an hour to review your issues.  Contact me for more information.

This episode is a renovation story, told by Teresa Younkin. She describes four renovations she has been through and what they taught her about life.

About our guest:

Teresa Younkin is a Leadership Coach, Consultant, and Expert specializing in helping healthcare leaders and teams bring their multi-level health IT initiatives to fruition and deliver powerful results. Leaders can be the respected leader they want to be, surrounded by an energized team that together can change the world. Teresa is a storyteller by nature who enjoys the creative process of bringing teams together to renovate a project or a house! Over the years and 4 major renovations later she shares the lessons she's learned and how she found the deeper meaning in taking things apart to build a better life.

Website: www.teresayounkin.com

Facebook group: The Leadership Collective

Twitter: @teresayounkin

Instagram: @realsmartmethod

*******************************************************************

Thanks for listening!

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

Visit Talkinghomerenovations.com for episode enhancements, containing photos and more information about the episodes as well as transcripts.  There you can leave a voice message through speak pipe that could be included in a future episode.

Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovations

Join me on Facebook: Talking Home Renovations

Follow me on Twitter: @talkinghomereno

Join me on TikTok: @The House Maven

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

Thanks to Ray Bernoff, the editor of the show. www.RayBernoff.com

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

Mandy Freeland broke her femur in an accident and realized how challenging it was to take care of herself in her house the way it was conventionally designed. We talk about what the issues were, how to address the issues and what we might all keep in mind as we alter our houses to really improve them.

About our guest:

Mandy Freeland is a mother, wife, architect, and firm owner based in Bakersfield, California. Her passion for making communities better and the architecture profession stronger has lead her to years of volunteerism in AIA, local small business organizations, historic and cultural preservation committees, advisory committees for the local high school and junior college architecture programs, and community empowerment groups. Her firm currently provides services for planning, custom residential, commercial, education, and industrial projects throughout California.

Photo credit for episode art: Stacy Zarin. Designer- Grey Hunt Interiors from the blog https://greyhuntinteriors.com/my-master-bath-reveal/

*******************************************************************************

Thanks for listening!

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

Visit Talkinghomerenovations.com for episode enhancements, containing photos and more information about the episodes as well as transcripts.  There you can leave a voice message through speak pipe that could be included in a future episode.

Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovations

Join me on Facebook: Talking Home Renovations

Follow me on Twitter (help make that a thing): @talkinghomereno

Join me on TikTok: @The House Maven

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

Thanks to Ray Bernoff, the editor of the show. www.RayBernoff.com

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

Remodeling and construction journeys are complicated. It’s no wonder homeowners get stuck in the process. Having a roadmap means reducing frustration and always knowing your next step.

In this episode, you will discover…….

• What “roadmap” means in the context of home renovation.
• Some common mistakes homeowners make on their renovation journey.
• Whether it’s ever too late in your project to start making your roadmap.
• How to find the right expert to ask for help.

Link to Mona's Renovation Roadmap

About our guest

Feeling stuck when it comes to navigating your renovation? Mona Ying Reeves is the House Coach that will get you past the overwhelm and moving forward. A serial renovator, architect, and behind-the-scenes design consultant to various HGTV home makeover shows, Mona founded Kickstart House to support and empower homeowners with their renovation journeys.

After years of seeing homeowners struggle with a complicated construction landscape, Mona’s on a mission to help homeowners align their surroundings and their journeys with their best lives. With Kickstart House, she’s taken her proven framework of delivering dream homes for high-end clients and refined it into a roadmap that any homeowner can follow.

In addition to coaching homeowners, Mona is a licensed architect in the state of California. She holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from Harvard University and a Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley.

Learn more about Mona Ying Reeves

Website: Kickstart House

Facebook: Kickstart House

Twitter: Kickstart House

_____________________________________

Thanks for listening!

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

Visit Talkinghomerenovations.com for episode enhancements, containing photos and more information about the episodes as well as transcripts.  There you can leave a voice message through speak pipe that could be included in a future episode.

Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovations

Join me on Facebook: Talking Home Renovations

Follow me on Twitter (help make that a thing): @talkinghomereno

Join me on TikTok: @The House Maven

Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven is part of Gabl Media, the largest, most engaged AEC network on the planet.  Visit

This week Mark Ostrom, founder and executive director of Joy Collaborative, tells me about his work bringing people together to create enriching spaces for youth - and how you can apply those methods and principles to your own home.

In this episode, you will discover…….

- That designing with accessibility in mind is good for everyone.

- What kind of accommodations can make the most difference to someone with life limiting conditions.

- How to make creative and stimulating spaces on a budget.

About our guest

With nearly three decades in the architecture and design industry Mark took the bold step of combining his love for design and his passion for helping others into Joy Collaborative.

Founded in 2019 on a shoestring budget and a career filled with colleagues, Mark officially launched Joy Collaborative. Joy Collaborative is a group of impassioned doers and volunteers who help create spaces for kids with life-limiting conditions. The first Joy Collaborative space “Brave Bear” was created for Kodiak a Twin Cities child with a rare genetic disorder. The spaces are created through partnerships with the architecture & interior design community and financial donations from the corporate community. The Twin Cities 501©(3) expects to create up to 10 projects in 2021. The organization is enriched by partnerships with Lifetime Fitness, the Minnesota United, Twin Cities Orthopedics, and other generous organizations contributing to the well-being and advancement of youth.

Learn more about Mark Ostrom

Website: Joy Collaborative

Instagram: Joy Collaborative

LinkedIn: Mark Ostrom

_____________________________________

Thanks for listening!

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

Visit Talkinghomerenovations.com for episode enhancements, containing photos and more information about the episodes as well as transcripts.  There you can leave a voice message through speak pipe that could be included in a future episode.

Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovations

Join me on Facebook: Talking Home Renovations

Follow me on Twitter (help make that a thing): @talkinghomereno

Join me on TikTok: @The House Maven

Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven is part of Gabl Media, the largest, most engaged AEC network on the planet.  Visit

Today I am talking to LaShaun Key from South Carolina, and we're discussing clients -- the good, and the bad.

In this episode, you will discover…….

- What makes a good client, and how can I be one?

About our guest:

LaShaun helps families create a home that serves as the family hub which brings everyone home to connect, reconnect and treasure family. We do this by maximizing their property’s value by materializing their dream home through creative design. After 10 years of military service an injury forced a change in career. During one of the hardest seasons of his life, a conversation with his 5-year-old daughter reignited a childhood dream of becoming an architect. Since graduating from Savannah College of Art & Design in 2010, LaShaun has works on various design projects to include multi-family, office building and medical facilities. Having the opportunity to work with some families to achieve their dream home, he found a passion for residential design. LaShaun continues to serve his community through ACE Mentors, an organization that mentors high school students in careers in architecture, construction, and engineering. Serving is a major part of his beliefs. LaShaun serves clients by materializing their dream home that connects their families together.

Learn more about LaShaun Key:

Website: Key Design LLC

Instagram: Key Design LLC

Facebook: Key Design LLC

LinkedIn: LaShaun Key

********************************************

Thanks for listening!

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

Visit Talkinghomerenovations.com for episode enhancements, containing photos and more information about the episodes as well as transcripts.  There you can leave a voice message through speak pipe that could be included in a future episode.

Follow me on instagram: @talkinghomerenovations

Join me on Facebook: Talking Home Renovations

Follow me on Twitter (help make that a thing): @talkinghomereno

Join me on TikTok: @The House Maven

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...