Home: The Second Story
Home: The Second Story
Podcast Description
Everyone talks about how hard it is to do a major renovation or custom home building project, but we are here to take the guesswork and fear out of it. Join three veteran residential architects: Sheri Scott of Spring House Architects, Taylor Davis of TPD Architect, and Marilyn Moedinger of Runcible Studios, as they sit down with folks who have been through the renovation or building process. Our guests will offer their best tips and tricks, and answer the key question: "What do you know NOW that you WISH you'd known when you started?"
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on major renovation and custom home building topics, with specific episodes exploring issues like decision-making challenges, budgeting lessons, and communication strategies within couples during renovations. Guests share their firsthand experiences and valuable insights that newcomers will find useful.
Everyone talks about how hard it is to do a major renovation or custom home building project, but we are here to take the guesswork and fear out of it. Join three veteran residential architects: Sheri Scott of Spring House Architects, Taylor Davis of TPD Architect, and Marilyn Moedinger of Runcible Studios, as they sit down with folks who have been through the renovation or building process. Our guests will offer their best tips and tricks, and answer the key question: “What do you know NOW that you WISH you’d known when you started?”
In this episode of Home: The Second Story, we sit down with Ashley and Greg Luthman to explore their journey of building a custom home during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting their design process in the spring of 2020 and moving in by December 2021, they offer a detailed, honest reflection on what it took to transform a blank field in Versailles, Ohio, into a forever home for their growing family of six.
We talk about the motivations that drove them—rooted in a desire for stability after frequent moves and the challenge of accommodating four children. Finding land was a feat in itself, made possible by a family connection, and that set the stage for collaborating with Sheri to design a house that balances functionality with character.
Ashley and Greg entered the process with a clear understanding of what they didn’t want, based on experiences in prior homes. That clarity helped shape choices that favored natural light, thoughtful layout, and long-term adaptability. They describe how small design decisions—like maximizing daylight with large windows and building spaces for coziness—paid off. The design emphasized living intentionally: thinking through how they’d use each space, from everyday routines to future family changes.
They also share candid lessons learned. For example, the unexpected impact of locating the master bedroom above the utility room, and their wish for better sound insulation between floors. They reflect on how some oversights came from not having their architect engaged throughout the construction phase—reminding future homeowners of the value of continuous collaboration.
Despite supply chain chaos and material substitutions during construction, Ashley and Greg stayed focused on their vision. They made trade-offs but kept their eyes on the end goal: a warm, inviting home built for love and memory-making. Their two favorite features—the wood-burning fireplace and a practical basement staircase—represent their blend of emotion and pragmatism.
Through it all, their advice is clear: build with purpose, stay flexible, and keep the end in mind. This episode is a rich resource for anyone considering a custom build, offering both inspiration and practical takeaways.
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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