In this episode of Home: The Second Story, we talk with Brian from Cambridge, Massachusetts, about his multi-phase renovation experience. Brian shares his journey from purchasing a dated, 1980s-style home to transforming it into a personal and functional space. We begin with Brian’s decision to prioritize location and outdoor space, knowing upfront that renovations would be necessary. His project, led by Marilyn, was completed in two phases: an exterior porch addition and a larger interior overhaul.

Brian walks us through the reasoning behind starting with the porch—a structure in disrepair and home to a family of raccoons. This first phase gave him insight into the renovation process and served as a testing ground for team dynamics. While the project wasn’t without challenges, such as pandemic interruptions and zoning issues, Brian emphasizes the value of thorough planning and having a strong partnership with his architect. He also spoke to the value of discussing the project with his neighbors, so they knew what to expect.

As we move into the second phase, Brian explains the bold decisions they made, like eliminating a bedroom and reducing window count, to create a more functional layout. These choices prioritized how he lives rather than strict resale value, a strategy he now strongly recommends. The conversation also covers the importance of contracts and how switching contractors between phases ultimately benefited the project.

We reflect on the lessons learned—especially the importance of making decisions early, planning for zoning requirements, and having the right contractual protections in place. Brian’s key takeaway is simple: plan everything you can, because unexpected hurdles will come. His favorite part of the renovation? The transformation of the entry experience—walking into an open, light-filled space that brings joy every single day.

Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us! admin@htsspodcast.com

Learn about our hosts:

Taylor: TPD Architecture and Design: https://tpdarchitect.com

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com

In this snack-sized episode, we dive into one of the most popular homeowner desires: creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. We each reflect on how this goal plays out differently depending on climate, lifestyle, and project constraints. In Ohio, Sheri notes that many clients initially want large sliding doors to open entire walls, but often back away due to limited usability and cost. In Alabama, Taylor highlights the prevalence and value of screen porches, which are usable much of the year and often include fireplaces, fans, and even TVs (for football of course). Meanwhile, in Boston, Marilyn shares how tight urban lots push the focus to roof decks and compact outdoor areas that extend livable space, especially during New England’s short summer.

We discuss how climate fundamentally shapes these spaces—from needing shade and mosquito protection in the South, to maximizing even the tiniest outdoor spots in dense urban areas. Amenities like pools, outdoor kitchens, and storage needs (like for bikes or gardening gear) often influence how these spaces are designed. We emphasize the importance of future-proof planning, especially for features that might be part of a second construction phase, like pool houses or outdoor kitchens. Collaborating with landscape architects emerges as a recurring theme; they bring essential expertise in planning, aesthetics, and sustainability that complements architectural design.

We also dispel a common myth: just because a space is outdoors doesn’t mean it’s cheaper. Features like screen porches or outdoor kitchens require high-quality finishes and infrastructure, which can make them just as expensive as indoor spaces. Lastly, we reflect on the diverse uses of outdoor spaces beyond entertainment—gardening, working on cars, pet management, or even quiet morning coffee routines on a balcony. The key is tailoring outdoor spaces to fit the homeowner's real habits and values, not just design trends.

Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us! admin@htsspodcast.com

Learn about our hosts:

Taylor: TPD Architecture and Design: https://tpdarchitect.com

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com

In this episode of Home: The Second Story, we sit down with Rich and Ilana from Richboro, Pennsylvania, to hear how they transformed a 1977 split-level house into a modern, functional family home. What started as a plan to build an addition over their garage snowballed into a full-house renovation, driven by necessity, creativity, and resilience.

They purchased the house knowing it was a fixer-upper — leaks and all — but were drawn in by the neighborhood's charm and school district. Rich and Ilana began demoing the upstairs, revealing the bones of a home that would evolve dramatically over the next two years. Thanks to a neighbor and a local architect who understood the nuances of split-level design, they reimagined the layout, flipping bedrooms and designing a spacious master suite above the garage.

As a software developer by trade, Rich took on the role of general contractor, coordinating tradespeople and managing timelines while doing much of the work himself, alongside his brother, a master plumber and seasoned house flipper. The process wasn’t without setbacks — a sewer backup flooded their lower level, and months later, their untouched living room ceiling collapsed. These events forced them to accelerate plans and tackle more than originally intended.

Throughout, they emphasized the importance of living in the space before making design decisions. For example, an unused gated-off staircase was removed entirely, which improved the home’s flow. They also reconfigured their split-level layout by removing interior walls, closing off unnecessary access points, and adding new elements like a slider door to the backyard — changes that made daily life smoother with two small children.

Rich and Ilana highlight how they approached design intentionally, choosing bold features like black cabinets and colorful tiles, instead of falling back on trends. They also learned about budgeting for furniture at the end of a renovation and shared their tips on tracking finishes, materials, and decisions with detailed spreadsheets.

By doing much of the work themselves and leveraging their network of family and friends, they managed to keep costs down, though at the expense of time and energy. They stress the value of hiring professionals when possible and how crucial it is to have a strong support system — both emotionally and logistically — during a renovation.

Now, with the renovation complete, they reflect proudly on what they’ve built together.

Bonus: Rich and his brother's YouTube Page: Jews WIth Screws https://www.youtube.com/@JewswithScrews

Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us! admin@htsspodcast.com

Learn about our hosts:

Taylor: TPD Architecture and Design: https://tpdarchitect.com

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com