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.

In this snack-sized episode of Home: The Second Story, we dig into the world of flooring—what works, what doesn’t, and why context matters more than any single rule. We’ve all dealt with the pressure of making long-term, expensive flooring decisions, so we unpack real-life experiences to offer guidance that’s both practical and design-savvy.

We kick off with Marilyn’s bold stance: no tile in the kitchen. She argues it’s uncomfortable, impractical, and stylistically outdated. While Taylor pushes back slightly with visions of a Mediterranean-style saltillo-tiled kitchen, we all agree that wood floors are often overlooked but perfectly viable for kitchens—and even bathrooms—if properly protected and maintained.

From there, we get into the nuts and bolts of flooring choices. Subfloors matter. Whether you’re working on a new build or a renovation, structural stiffness and existing conditions (like a concrete slab) play a huge role in what flooring will perform best. Large format tiles, for example, require structural reinforcement or a crack isolation membrane. Mosaic tiles can offer a workaround in older homes where subfloors are uneven.

Engineered hardwood becomes a focal point as we explore how it helps bridge gaps between aesthetic goals and structural limitations. It's more dimensionally stable, especially over slabs, and available in exotic species and wide plank formats. But we caution listeners—check the wear layer. A cheap engineered floor won’t last, and refinishing may be impossible.

Accessibility and aging-in-place design also surface as important factors. Taylor shares promising innovations like cork underlayments and materials from senior living environments that reduce fall injuries—perfect for clients with mobility challenges.

We touch briefly on carpet—yes, it's still in the mix for stairs, slippery spots, or kid-friendly basements—and then dive into the controversial topic of LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank). Sheri talks about the “love-hate” relationship many of us have with it. It’s cost-effective, resilient, and water-resistant, but it’s plastic underfoot and not repairable like wood. Taylor shares her decade-plus of personal experience with LVP in a hard-use basement, while Marilyn champions polished concrete and linoleum as more sustainable alternatives. We all agree: it's situational, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer.

Finally, we discuss aesthetics and trends. While flooring choices don’t swing wildly year to year, finish colors certainly do—dark, gray, and now natural. We also highlight oil finishes as a stunning, underutilized option, with Marilyn emphasizing the beauty and ease of use—even if it's not for every household.

We wrap up with a reminder: flooring is not just about looks. Durability, health, sustainability, and how you live all matter. The more you know your needs, the better your flooring decisions will be.

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, we talk with Brahm, a homeowner in Cincinnati, Ohio, who recently completed a new custom build in Indian Hill. This was his second time building a home, and while the first experience was rocky, this time around he struck gold—with the team, the process, and the final result. We walk through his journey from initial spark to move-in, digging into everything from design decisions to the importance of asking questions—even late in the process.

We start by getting the lay of the land: the home is a little over 7,500 square feet including the finished lower level, with a four-car garage and traditional architectural styling. Although it began as a French country concept, the look shifted along the way. Brahm shares how life events and COVID-era reflections prompted a focus on aging in place, including designing a dedicated caregiver suite. He also kept a running wish list and created a room-by-room heat map of his old house to guide design priorities—a level of clarity that shaped everything from layout to finish selection.

Throughout the project, Brahm emphasizes the importance of flexibility and mindset. One key takeaway: plan for a contingency in your budget and get comfortable spending it. He tells us how his initial instinct was to cut corners early, but by the end, he was more willing to invest in meaningful upgrades—like expanding stone on the exterior or designing the home gym he always wanted. We talk about the value of speaking up even late in the game, and how his team consistently responded with, “If it’s what you want, let’s figure it out.”

We also hear about the personal touches that made the home truly his: a four-car garage he treats like a showroom, a well-lit and Zen-inspired home gym, and a themed Dungeons & Dragons room that taps into an interest he and his son re-connected with. He credits his successful outcome to a strong builder-architect relationship, an engaged mindset, and making decisions based on how he and his wife actually live—not resale value or trends.

We wrap with some real talk: no project is perfect. Even when the team is solid and the process is smooth, there will always be second guesses and minor regrets. But for Brahm, the joy far outweighs the doubts—and that’s a win.

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.