Season 3 Episode 9 (Part 2): Interviews with Experts: Toby Witte of Wittehaus What dictates the types of houses we live in? Why are architects so far removed from residential home design? What should we prioritize when it comes to designing our homes? Do bigger houses really lead to happier lives? Join Toby Witte, founder of Wittehaus for part 2 of our conversation on what he hopes for when it comes to residential design. Toby Witte is the principal of Wittehaus, a Forbes Magazine 2025 Americas Top 200 Residential Architect, and he is a modern, luxury home designer who thinks like an architect. Author of the 2023 book Supersizing Bliss, Toby is passionate about rethinking the way we think about our homes and approach home design. Connect with Toby and the Wittehaus team here: Website: www.witteha.us Instagram: @wittehaus Hemby Home Co. Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co. in association with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about selling your house with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about buying a house with Haystack Realty Group. Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 3 Episode 9 (Part 1): Interviews with Experts: Toby Witte of Wittehaus Who dictates the types of houses we live in? Why are architects so far removed from residential home design? What should we prioritize when it comes to designing our homes? Do bigger houses really lead to happier lives? Toby Witte, founder of Wittehaus joins the podcast to share what he has observed and what he hopes for when it comes to residential design. Tune into this episode to have your preconceptions about house and home challenged, broadened, and turned upside down. Toby Witte is the principal of Wittehaus, a Forbes Magazine 2025 Americas Top 200 Residential Architect, and he is a modern, luxury home designer who thinks like an architect. Author of the 2023 book Supersizing Bliss, Toby is passionate about rethinking the way we think about our homes and approach home design. Connect with Toby and the Wittehaus team here: www.witteha.usInstagram: @wittehaus Hemby Home Co. Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co. in association with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about selling your house with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about buying a house with Haystack Realty Group. Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 3 Episode 8: Interviews with Experts: DeeDee Birch of Make Good Places Can design benefit people and the environment? How can we bring healthier, biophilic design into our everyday spaces? Is it really possible to change the quality of your life through your space? And is what we’re being sold actually what benefits us most? While living in a beautiful home is negotiable, all of us should be able to live in homes that keep us healthy and strong. Biophilic design, by definition, strengthens the connection between humans and nature and leads to healthier people and a better environment. DeeDee Birch, creator of Make Good Places, helps DIYers and designers implement biophilic design elements to achieve homes that go beyond looking good to actually make them feel better. DeeDee Birch, MDS, LFA has a Masters of Design Studies with Focus in Sustainable Design, and is the brains behind Make Good Places, an online resource designed to equip both professional interior designers and DIYers as they work to create homes that benefit people and the planet. For access to the Make Good Places resources, head to makegoodplaces.com. Connect with DeeDee and Make Good Places here: www.makegoodplaces.comInstagram: @makegoodplaces Hemby Home Co. Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co. in association with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about selling your house with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about buying a house with Haystack Realty Group. Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 3 Episode 7: Interviews with Experts: Leigh Baker from Carolina Farmhouse Furniture Which materials should you use to create a more healthy home environment? Which healthy swaps should you prioritize? How do you renovate a space without breaking the bank? What hidden costs can drive spending up? The only thing often more challenging than creating a beautiful home is creating a healthful one. Knowing which materials to pick, what to prioritize, and evaluating how well you’re doing can all be hard to figure out. Enter Leigh Baker from Carolina Farmhouse Furniture. Carolina Farmhouse Furniture is a furniture and home accent store in Greenville, NC. They also offer high-quality, custom-made furniture and home accents, like hand poured candles, clean laundry products. Leigh Baker, co-founder and owner with her husband, also runs wellness events through The Wellness Workshop where workshop participants can learn how to make mocktails, candles and more. Their website says, “Our philosophy revolves around the belief that your home and the spaces you inhabit profoundly impact your life. We aim to collaborate with you in crafting spaces that evoke a sense of wholeness and belonging.” Connect with Leigh Baker and Carolina Farmhouse Furniture here: Website: www.carolinafarmhousefurniture.com Email: info@carolinafarmhousefurniture.com Phone: 2529177033 Hemby Home Co. Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co. in association with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about selling your house with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about buying a house with Haystack Realty Group. Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 3 Episode 6: Interviews with Experts: Ronnie Warren from Precision Renovations How do you maximize a renovation budget without sacrificing quality or style? What separates a good contractor from a bad one? How do you renovate a space without breaking the bank? What hidden costs can drive spending up? While our last episode was all about how to build equity, this episode gets a lot more practical. When it comes to home renovations, it can be challenging to know how to pick a good contractor, where to focus your budget, and what you may need to compromise on. Join Precision Renovations founder Ronnie Warren as he shares his knowledge and expertise in the area of home renovations. Precision Renovations is a renovation company based in Greenville, NC. Ronnie Warren, its founder, is committed to high quality workmanship and a customer service that goes above and beyond, and is far removed from the poor experiences many of us have had in construction. Precision Renovations offers renovation for the whole home, including kitchens, bathrooms, full interior renovation, and porch and deck renovations. Connect with Ronnie and the Precision Renovations Team here: www.precisionrenovationsnc.com precisionrenovations2019@gmail.com O: 2529177033 Hemby Home Co. Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co. in association with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about selling your house with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about buying a house with Haystack Realty Group. Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 3 Episode 5: Interviews with Experts: Ashley Barker and Hannah Martin from Appraisal Advantage Does landscaping add value? Which rooms get you the greatest return on investment? Do material choices matter in an appraisal? Is the age of your home always a negative? Ashley Barker is the founder of Appraisal Advantage, where he works together with Hannah Martin assessing home values and conducting comprehensive audits of their features and comparables to determine objective market value. This episode equips homeowners who want to know where and how to add value to their homes, where they can lose money, and what absolutely doesn’t make a home worth more money. Appraisal Advantage is a Greenville, NC - based appraisal company founded in 1992. Its founder, Ashley Barker, is a North Carolina State Certified Residential Appraisal with over 30 years of experience. Hannah Martin trained under Ashley and now works alongside him appraising properties across Pitt County, NC. Appraisal Advantage offers unparalleled real estate appraisal services, conducting appraisals for estate purposes, investments, refinancing, and mortgage financing. Connect with Ashley and Hannah here: www.appraisaladvantage.com ashley@appraisaladvantage.com O: 2527589116 Hemby Home Co. Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co. in association with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about selling your house with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about buying a house with Haystack Realty Group.Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 3 Episode 4: Interviews with Experts: House inspectors Derek Hedgepeth and Mike Benson What should you do to protect and maintain your home? What does a home inspection cover? Which home issues are minor and which are major? Do you need a home inspection on a new build home? Mike Benson and Derek Hedgepeth, Pitt County based home inspectors, share insights from their combined 33 years in the home inspection industry. Listen in to find out why crawl spaces are the root of all evil, when homeowners should (and shouldn’t) DIY, which home issues are worth worrying about, and why you’ll never hear a house inspector tell you not to buy a house. Mike Benson and Derek Hedgepeth are seasoned home inspectors with a combined 33 years of experience inspecting properties in and around Pitt County, North Carolina. Their expertise, attention to detail, and passion for their clients make them great resources for those looking to cultivate a deeper understanding of the condition of their homes. Connect with Derek here: www.yourdependablehomeinspections.com dependable_inspections@yahoo.com O: 2523555480 Connect with Mike here: www.msinspectionsnc.com mike@msinspectionsnc.com O: 2527141409 Hemby Home Co. Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co. in association with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about selling your house with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about buying a house with Haystack Realty Group.Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 3 Episode 3: Interviews with Experts: Lindsay Ryan of Plant & See Nursery Which plants are near impossible to kill? When is the best time of year to plant bulbs? What is the difference between an annual and a perennial? Is it possible to overwater a plant? Can all plants go outside? Lindsay Ryan, co-owner of Plant & See Nursery joins the podcast sharing insights about the easiest and toughest plants to grow, the basics of keeping plants alive, and how to develop the skills and confidence you need to successfully grow and maintain houseplants, even if you’re a total novice. This is houseplants 101. Plant & See Nursery is a locally-owned Winterville, NC Nursery. Founded by Tom Lassiter and his wife Patrice, and now co-owned by their daughter Lindsay, Plant & See is your one-stop-shop for all things plants. Their loyal and knowledgeable staff are always ready to answer questions, help you take care of your plants, and even offer plant advice over social media. Connect with Lindsay here: www.plantandseenursery.com plantandsee@gmail.com Facebook Instagram O: 2527560879 Hemby Home Co. Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co. in association with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about selling your house with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about buying a house with Haystack Realty Group. Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 3 Episode 2: Interviews with Experts: Wesley Taylor and Mandy Vignali from C&C Stoneworks Which is better, porcelain or ceramic tile? What are the differences between manufactured and natural stones? Is marble really the most expensive stone? Which details are the most important to consider when choosing a countertop? Is peel and stick tile ever a good option? Wesley Taylor and Mandy Vignali from C&C Stoneworks talk everything stone, exposing trends, sharing best and worst uses, and getting real about affordability. Before you tackle your kitchen or bathroom, listen to this. C&C Stoneworks are a stone fabrication company based in Greenville, NC. Wesley Taylor is the owner and founder, and Mandy Vignali is the in-house designer. Whether your project is indoors, outdoors, for the floor, wall, or hearth, C&C Stoneworks have everything you need to get the job done. Connect with Wesley and Mandy here: www.candcstoneworks.com ccstoneworksnc@gmail.com Facebook Instagram O: 2529025535 Hemby Home Co. Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co. in association with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about selling your house with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about buying a house with Haystack Realty Group.Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 3 Episode 1: Interviews with Experts: Jae Goess Is your credit score the most important factor determining your mortgage? Do you need to be debt free to get a mortgage? Is it possible to get a mortgage when you're self-employed? And do credit pulls really negatively impact your score? Mortgage expert Jae Goess joins us on this very first episode of season three of the podcast. We’re exploring different types of mortgage loans, debunking mortgage myths, discussing home buying budgers, answering some of the most asked questions, and sharing the missteps to avoid when applying for a mortgage. This is Mortgage 101. Jae Goess is Branch Partner at Alcova Mortgage, based in Greenville, NC. Jae is a highly rated mortgage lender and loan officer. Connect with Jae here: https://alcova.com/jgoess/ jaegoess@alcova.com C: 252--8147464 O: 2524390547 Hemby Home Co. Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co. in association with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about selling your house with Haystack Realty Group. Click here to learn more about buying a house with Haystack Realty Group. Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 2 Episode 12: How to Renovate a Lake House Lake House living is the dream for a lot of people (us included), but if you can’t buy the house you love, how do you craft it? In this slightly unorthodox episode, join us as we follow along with the lake house renovation of Chip and Joanna Gaines. We’ll talk about: How and where to save money during a renovation The importance of maximizing views and access How to own mistakes and pivot quickly Accounting for details that feel inconsequential but make a big difference Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse - learn more C&C Stoneworks Tamsin Johnson Interiors DISC Interiors Sarah Sherman Samuel’s Instagram Hemby Home Co. - Big budgets aren’t the only way to live beautifully. Thing of the Week Books!! Rose Tarlow: Three Houses Shamshiri: Interiors Mountain House: Studies in Elevated Design Architecture in the 20th Century African Modernism: The Architecture of Independence. Ghana, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Zambia Billy Cotton: Interior and Design Work Cabana Anthology: The Anniversary Edition Arent & Pyke: Interiors Beyond the Primary Palette Hemby Home co Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co. in association with Haystack Realty Group. Ready to sell your house? Click here Thinking about buying a house? Click here Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 2 Episode 11: The Do’s and Don'ts of Making a Rental Feel Like Home If you live in a rental and are struggling to figure out how to make it feel like your own, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. In this episode, you’ll learn: When to invest and what to invest in when decorating a place where you rent What specific choices might not be best for renters (even for those with friendly landlords) Practical things you can do to make your house feel like home while you rent Which rental upgrades fall into the ‘maybe do-maybe don’t’ category Hemby Home Co. - Big budgets aren’t the only way to live beautifully. Thing of the Week Beekman 1802 Honey & Orange Blossom Bar Soap L’Occitane Bonne Mère Rhubarb with Basil Soap Panier des sens Liquid Marseille Soap L’Occitane Shea Rose Liquid Soap Kassatex New York Le Marais Bath Soap Dish Astier de Villatte Adélaïde Soap Dish Hemby Home co Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co. in association with Haystack Realty Group. Ready to sell your house? Click here Thinking about buying a house? Click here Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 2 Episode 10: How to Craft Beautiful (Functional) Outdoor Spaces With June around the corner, it's officially outdoor season. While it might seem like it has snuck up on you, there's still time to create an outdoor space you can enjoy all summer long. This is a very practical episode that includes: Simple steps for cleaning and decluttering Helpful hacks to keep plants alive (even if you don't have a green thumb!) Advice on furniture selections Multiple mispronunciations of the word 'rattan'... ...and even a random sing song Tune in now to find out how you can make your outdoor spaces sing. Hemby Home Co. - Big budgets aren’t the only way to live beautifully. Click here to listen to our last episode on the cost of good design. Listen to our episode about designing for kids here. Plant and See, Winterville, NC Protective Sprays for Fabric (one) & (two) Thing of the Week Grand Designs on YouTube Hemby Home co Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co. in association with Haystack Realty Group. Ready to sell your house? Click here Thinking about buying a house? Click here Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 2 Episode 9: Why Does Good Design Cost So Much? What happens when the design you love is not the design you can afford? Why do interior designers charge so much, and is any of that kind of design attainable on a smaller budget? Join us as we explore the various factors influencing design cost, discuss the impact of design quality and value and how to invest in design, and share the key to balancing design quality and cost. Hemby Home Co. - Big budgets aren’t the only way to live beautifully. Check out Hemby Home Co.’s Design Services! Did you miss our last episode with Jennifer Vreeland McDermott? Check it out here. Zoe Feldman Design (whose work is gorgeous by the way!) Killowen Construction Learn more about The Expert Toto Toilet 1st Dibs Chairish Etsy Pamono Thing of the Week America’s Best House Plans Hemby Home co Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co, in association with Haystack Realty Group. Ready to sell your house? Click here Thinking about buying a house? Click here Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 2 Episode 8: Jennifer Vreeland McDermott On How To Make Your Builder-Grade Home Feel Custom 50-70% of homes currently for sale in the Pitt County market are new-build homes built spec by local home builders. If those are the majority of homes available for sale, maybe it’s worth figuring out what can be done to make them feel a little less like builder-grade homes and a little more custom. Jennifer Vreeland McDermott of JV Design Style in Charleston, SC joins Femi to talk about how to bring custom home features in through home improvement, the role of memory and story in creating a unique home, and why builder-client relationship is key when upgrading a cookie-cutter home. It is possible to make a spec home more storied and personalized, listen to the episode to find out how. Links Missed our last episode? Check it out here. Homeworthy Interview: HOUSE TOUR | A Beautifully Layered Lowcountry Farmhouse in Charleston Check out Jennifer's Website: JV Design Style Follow JV Design Style on Instagram Head to the website to see images of Jennifer's home. Thing of The Week Flowers! Check out Wildflower Florist in Greenville, NC Follow Wildflower Florist on Instagram Hemby Home co Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co, in association with Haystack Realty Group. Ready to sell your house? Click here Thinking about buying a house? Click here Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 2 Episode 7: The Problem with Design in Residential Home Building What can be done to improve design quality in home construction? In this episode, we talk about: The difference between residential home building and Architectural Design The reason for my architectural design concerns The key to improving design quality in home construction Some possible solutions for design problems in residential home construction Links Listen to the full interview I mentioned here: Business of Home Podcast Hosted by Dennis Scully, with Guest Gil Schafer Brigette Muller House Tour Grand Designs with Kevin McCloud Brick houses with tasteful extensions, shared by @deorling (Jessica Elizabeth Horton) Architect Breaks Down 5 of the Most Common Los Angeles Homes | Architectural Digest Cool Houses You Should Know About Based in Pitt County, NC? Here are 5 of the most popular residential home-builders in the area. Disclaimer: This list is alphabetical and is not to be considered an endorsement or recommendation of any specific builder. Bill Clarke Homes Caviness and Cates DR Horton Red Door Homes Will Kuhn Thing of the Week Curtains: Head to the website for images. Hemby Home co Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co, in association with Haystack Realty Group. Ready to sell your house? Click here Thinking about buying a house? Click here Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 2 Episode 6: How to Make Your House Sell Well in 2024 The market is still hot and homes are still selling. In this week’s Lived In episode, we talk about some of the things you need to think about when it comes to selling a house in 2024. Learn what to do to make your house irresistible to buyers, and secure a worthy offer. From enhancing curb appeal to strategic staging and expert negotiation, discover the steps needed to maximize your home's selling potential. We cover: - The importance of making your house too good to pass up in today's competitive market - Strategies for enhancing curb appeal, including landscaping, exterior cleaning, and repairs - Tips for preparing the interior of your home for sale, from basic maintenance to ideal presentation - The role of effective marketing and negotiation in achieving a successful sale Links C&C Stoneworks Lived In Season 2 Episode 3: What makes a house unsellable? Thing of the Week Check out our Instagram post on discrete TV placement Hemby Home co Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co, in association with Haystack Realty Group. Ready to sell your house? Click here Thinking about buying a house? Click here Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 2 Episode 5: How to Design for Kids: Kid-proof or Kid-friendly? How do you design for kids? Is there a right or a wrong approach? There are any number of things to think about when it comes to designing a space for kids, and this episode is all about empowering you to do it well. In this episode we cover: The difference between kid-centric design, kid-friendly design, and kid-proof design How to accommodate children without alienating adults The various factors people need to consider when designing for kids How to design for kids in every room in the house Links Interview with Hannah Otto Foot Pedal Faucets Thing of the Week Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray Sherwin Williams Faded Flaxflower Hemby Home co Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co, in association with Haystack Realty Group. Ready to sell your house? Click here Thinking about buying a house? Click here Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Welcome to Season 2 Episode 4! This week’s episode is all about unpopular and unfiltered opinions on design choices you’re likely pretty familiar with. We talk about palatable design, ugly appliances, what it takes to make the modern farmhouse design concept a win, and how social media influences our design choices. Tune in to hear what design we love, and what design we don’t! Links Tan France’s Home in Utah on Architectural Digest Gil Schafer’s Dutchess County Home Schafer Buccatello Architects Historical Replica by Quinlan Terry, Francis Terry, and Henriette von Stockhausen Athena Calederone’s beach house in Amagansett Athena Calderone’s Instagram: @eyeswoon Athena Calederone’s Brooklyn townhouse Check out our last episode! QuintessenceHomeworthy Hemby Home co Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co, in association with Haystack Realty Group. Ready to sell your house? Click here Thinking about buying a house? Click here Schedule a call to see how we can help you live beautifully.
Season 2 Episode 3: What makes a house unsellable? What makes a house unsellable? We’ve all seen houses on Zilllow that have been listed for sale and haven’t moved for years, but what causes this to happen? What are the factors that lead to a house sitting on the market untouched? Check out this episode for helpful explanations on: How to effectively price a home for sale Why layout and condition of home is so important to buyers How location can be the ultimate roadblock in the way of an otherwise successful listing Links Check out our last episode! Schedule a call! Download our free guide: The First Time Home-Buyer’s Guide to House-Hunting Sign up for Lived In—The Newsletter Thing of the Week Head to the website to see! Hemby Home co Hemby Home Co. Instagram The Lived In podcast is produced by Hemby Home Co, in association with Haystack Realty Group. Ready to sell your house? Click here Thinking about buying a house? Click here