In this special holiday episode of Home: The Second Story, we talk about the impact of the holiday season on residential architecture — both in how homes function and how clients think about their spaces. As residential architects, this time of year brings a unique set of challenges and insights. The conversation starts with a shared reality: everyone wants to be “in by the holidays,” but timelines rarely allow for that. Finishing construction projects in December is complicated by shorter days, worker availability, and seasonal slowdowns across permitting and trade schedules. We often find ourselves having to reset expectations around what’s actually possible.

But while it may not be the best time to build, it is a great time to plan. Holidays put pressure on a house — large meals, extended families, sleeping arrangements — and that pressure helps reveal what works and what doesn’t. We encourage people to keep a running list of things they love and things that drive them crazy during the holidays. From where people gather, to where the Christmas tree goes, to what makes hosting feel either effortless or frustrating — it’s all data that informs future design.

We also dig into lighting challenges in the dark winter months, kitchen layouts that either support or hinder multiple cooks, and the subtle impact of things like electrical outlet placement or rug safety for multi-generational guests. Storage — especially for seasonal décor — comes up, and we talk about the rise of the scullery or second kitchen as a functional space to support larger gatherings.

Importantly, we all agree that the size or formality of the home doesn’t matter nearly as much as how it supports the people living in it. Sheri shares a moment from her early days hosting with pizza and paper plates, reminding us that hospitality isn’t about perfection. Taylor stresses designing for accessibility and comfort, especially when entertaining older guests or little ones. Marilyn reflects on her 300-year-old family farmhouse, emphasizing how spaces that hold generations of memory can be the most meaningful of all.

Jon Gay joins us to talk about his upcoming move to a new home and how much he’s learned through this podcast in planning that transition. As always, we close by reflecting on one thing we’d each change and one thing we love about our homes during the holidays — a perfect way to wrap up a thoughtful and heartfelt episode about designing homes that support real life and real memories.

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

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In this snack-sized episode of Home: The Second Story, we shift gears from our usual format and instead take a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening in our practices right now. This is the kind of conversation we usually have among ourselves—comparing notes, sharing site challenges, and navigating the daily curveballs of architectural work. We figured it was time to let listeners in on that part of the story too.

Sheri kicks things off with a construction tale from a high-end custom home in Columbus, Ohio. The project includes modern detailing with integral gutters—beautiful in theory, but tricky in execution. A suggestion from the roofing contractor about increasing gutter size triggered a domino effect across multiple components: the fascia detail had to be reworked, structural concerns had to be addressed, and everyone from the architect to the structural engineer to the truss designer had to weigh in. The clients didn't know it was happening at the time—it’s one of those moments where the team just quietly collaborates to get it right. We highlight how small changes can ripple across a whole system, and how critical the architect's role is during Construction Contract Administration (CCA), even when the client doesn’t see it firsthand.

Marilyn gives an update from the design side. Her team is in the final push to complete a full interiors package for a gut renovation. With decisions flying—from towel bar placements to floor outlets under rugs—she’s witnessing full-blown decision fatigue from the clients. Even with our guidance and proposed solutions, the sheer volume of micro-decisions in custom home design is overwhelming. It’s a reminder of how much care, precision, and stamina go into making a house truly personalized.

Taylor shares how a medical situation with one client caused schedule shifts across multiple projects. But instead of creating delays, it opened up the chance to move some projects forward. She reflects on the nimbleness smaller firms can offer—being flexible, responsive, and willing to pivot when life inevitably gets in the way. We all agree: we aim to serve, adapt, and show grace when the unexpected happens—whether it’s a health issue, a hacker, or a graduation party.

Ultimately, this episode is a snapshot of the real-time, human-centered work of architecture. It’s not just plans and permits—it’s relationships, collaboration, problem-solving, and a lot of deep listening. We love our clients—even the ones who text too early—and we’re proud of the invisible work we do to make the process smoother and the end result stronger.

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Home: The Second Story, we talk with Mark LePage, architect, podcaster, and founder of EntreArchitect. We start by exploring Mark’s deep ties to the architecture community, including how he brought our three hosts together through the mastermind groups of the EntreArchitect Academy. Mark shares how the desire to improve how architects talk about business led him to launch a blog in 2007, which ultimately became a thriving podcast and online resource that has impacted thousands.

We then dive into Mark’s personal journey renovating a 1934 stucco cottage in Chappaqua, New York. He and his wife Annmarie, also an architect, purchased the house in 1997 after falling in love with its untouched vintage charm—even though it had been neglected for decades and was on the verge of being torn down. They saw potential where others saw a teardown. Their initial phase involved cleaning and restoring the house to a livable condition, doing most of the work themselves.

Phase two came after the birth of their children, when Annmarie's father helped fund an addition to make the home more functional. They added a second story, modern HVAC, and all-new systems while keeping the design faithful to the original structure. Though both architects, they faced familiar homeowner struggles—like living through part of the renovation, learning the hard way that it’s rarely worth the inconvenience.

In phase three, they finished the kitchen and dining room with a higher level of detail, taking care to elevate the home’s value in a neighborhood where teardowns were common. Mark describes their philosophy as being stewards of the home, making sure it would last beyond their ownership. We also cover his second renovation in North Carolina after relocating to be near family. In that project, Mark again applied strategic phasing, but faced new challenges—especially with contractors and scheduling in a new region. His advice for homeowners is clear: plan thoroughly with a master plan, be honest about your budget, and don’t underestimate the importance of timing and infrastructure.

Throughout the episode, we reflect on how much love and intention can shape a home. Mark reminds us that architects can help homeowners not just with drawings, but with long-term strategy, emotional stewardship, and tough decisions. His mantra—love, learn, share—resonates across everything we discussed.

More: Mark's Entre Architect: https://entrearchitect.com/

Mark and Annemarie's new North Carolina home on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waldenpondhome

00:00 – Intro to the Podcast
01:07 – Meet Mark LePage
03:19 – The Origin of EntreArchitect
06:00 – The 12/12/12 Launch
10:45 – Transition to Mark’s Home Renovation Story
11:14 – Finding the Chappaqua Cottage
17:47 – Purchasing the Neglected Gem
20:00 – Initial Renovation and Move-In
22:36 – Phase Two: The Addition
26:56 – Designing as Architects and Living Through It
30:48 – Lessons from Living in Construction
34:18 – HVAC, Plumbing, and Infrastructure Tips
37:28 – Phase Three: The Dream Kitchen
38:20 – Advice on Strategic Phasing
42:00 – Budget Honesty and Contingency Planning
46:08 – The Move to North Carolina
50:00 – Renovating in the South
53:14 – Favorite Parts of Each Home
55:04 – Closing Reflections & Takeaways
59:27 – Outro and Contact Info

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.