Explore every episode of the podcast The Houzz Guest

We're revisiting our conversation with Aymee Kuhlman, founder and CEO of Light and Dwell Interiors, for a closer look at the segment listeners loved most: real design dilemmas from the Houzz community, solved live.

From navigating a vendor delay without losing your patience (or your contractor's crew), to figuring out whether a project manager is actually worth the cost, Aymee brings the same calm, practical clarity from our full conversation on designing homes from across the country. Haven't heard the full episode yet? Go back and give it a listen, there's a lot more where this came from.

In this episode:

• Aymee Kuhlman breaks down what it actually takes to run a luxury design business coast to coast, and why the "boring" behind-the-scenes systems are just as important as the design itself

• Why rushing a timeline almost always backfires, and how to keep a project accountable without pushing your skilled trades too fast

• Plus: Aymee tackles three real design dilemmas from the Houzz community, from where to start a major kitchen redesign to whether it's smarter to add on or keep house hunting

Find Aymee Kuhlman on Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/lightanddwell/light-and-dwell-interiors

Drop your design dilemma at podcast@houzz.com.

We're revisiting our conversation with Leigh Lincoln and Aly Morford, co-founders of Pure Salt Interiors, for a closer look at the segment listeners loved most: real design dilemmas from the Houzz community, solved live. And what better way to close out the season than with a few more of the dilemmas Leigh and Aly solved for us.

From keeping your interior doors consistent throughout a home, to whether that paint chip from the store will actually match your wall, to restoring a beautiful (but finicky) 1903 front door, Leigh and Aly bring the same warm, practical clarity from our full conversation on timeless design. Haven't heard the full episode yet? Go back and give it a listen, there's a lot more where this came from.

New episodes on Tuesdays.

In this episode:

• Pure Salt co-founders Leigh Lincoln and Aly Morford redefine what "timeless" design actually means, and why restraint might be the most underrated design choice you can make

• The one mistake that quietly wrecks a home's cohesion, and the "connective tissue" every well-designed space needs

• Plus: Leigh and Aly tackle three real design dilemmas from the Houzz community, from chandelier placement to restoring a beautiful (but finicky) 1903 front door

Find Pure Salt Interiors on Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/puresaltinteriors/pure-salt-interiors

Drop your design dilemma at podcast@houzz.com.

We're revisiting our conversation with Ryan Wakley, contractor and remodeler at Onyx Bros, for a closer look at the segment listeners loved most: real design dilemmas from the Houzz community, solved live.

From a total bathroom gut job with no clear starting point, to knowing whether to trust your own vision or hand it over to the pros, Ryan brings the same straightforward, no-nonsense advice from our full conversation on renovating older homes. Haven't heard the full episode yet? Go back and give it a listen, there's a lot more where this came from.

New episodes on Tuesdays.

In this episode:

• Third-generation-trained contractor Ryan Wakley (Onyx Bros) breaks down what it actually takes to modernize an older home, from what's hiding behind the walls to knowing which plumbing and wiring should worry you

• The remodeling myth that costs homeowners the most: why a pricier renovation doesn't automatically mean a bigger payday when you sell

• Plus: Ryan tackles three real design dilemmas from the Houzz community, from vetting a contractor's work to deciding between one big bathroom and two smaller ones

Find Ryan Wakley on Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/webuser-399156369/onyx-remodeling-and-construction-llc

Drop your design dilemma at podcast@houzz.com.

We're revisiting our conversation with Bre Hance, interior designer and founder of InHance Interiors, for a closer look at the segment listeners loved most: real design dilemmas from the Houzz community, solved live.

From how long a design quote should actually take to come back, to picking the right accent pieces to bring a room to life, Bre brings the same sharp, no-nonsense clarity from our full conversation on maximalism and elevated everyday living. Haven't heard the full episode yet? Go back and give it a listen, there's a lot more where this came from.

New episodes on Tuesdays.

In this episode:

• Interior designer Bre Hance from InHance Interiors breaks down what maximalism actually means (hint: it's not clutter), and how to fill your home with personality without it going out of style

• Her philosophy of "elevated everyday living," and the signs that tell you whether a designer is actually the right fit for your project

• Plus: Bre tackles three real design dilemmas from the Houzz community, from picking a countertop that can handle direct sunlight to giving a dated fireplace a total refresh

Find Bre Hance on Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/inhancedesignbuild/inhance

Drop your design dilemma at podcast@houzz.com.

We're revisiting our conversation with Matt Panella, third-generation builder and remodeler based in Central California, for a closer look at the segment listeners loved most: real design dilemmas from the Houzz community, solved live.

From choosing between SIP and stick construction, to knowing whether your job site is moving at a normal pace, to deciding if a deck is worth replacing before a sale, Matt brings the same straight-talking clarity from our full conversation on building homes that can withstand natural disasters. Haven't heard the full episode yet? Go back and give it a listen, there's a lot more where this came from.

New episodes on Tuesdays.

In this episode:

• Third-generation builder Matt Panella breaks down WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) codes, and what it actually takes to build a home that can survive a wildfire

• The real cost of skipping a solid pre-construction team, why the cheapest architect is rarely the right one, and how the right project-management habits keep a build on track

• Plus: Matt tackles four real design dilemmas from the Houzz community, from SIP vs. stick construction to whether it's worth replacing a deck before selling

Find Matt Panella on Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/matt-panella75/matt-panella

Drop your design dilemma at podcast@houzz.com.

We're revisiting our conversation with Julee Ireland, architectural interior designer, founder of Home Renovation School and Houzz Pro user, for a closer look at the segment listeners loved most: real design dilemmas from the Houzz community, solved live. This one includes a few favorites from the full episode, plus some brand-new bonus dilemmas we haven't shared anywhere else.

From an awkward wall nobody knows what to do with, to picking the perfect white paint, Julee brings the same clarity and expertise from our full conversation on healthy home design. Haven't heard the full episode yet? Go back and give it a listen, there's a lot more where this came from.

New episodes on Tuesdays.

In this episode:

• Julee Ireland, architectural interior designer, founder of Home Renovation School and Houzz Pro user, explains what healthy home design actually means, and why it just might start with the lighting

• The planning mistake most homeowners make before a single wall comes down, and why listening is a designer's most underrated skill

• Plus: Julee takes on three real design dilemmas from the Houzz community — an awkward wall no one knows what to do with, mixing metal finishes on kitchen cabinetry and updating a 70s ranch without that dreaded “bolted-on” look

Find Julee on Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/juleeireland/julee-ireland-design-studio

Drop your own design dilemma to us at podcast@houzz.com.