How to Home Podcast

Aaron Massey
  • 4.9 (31)
  • EDUCATION
How to Home Podcast

Hosts Aaron Massey and Tracy Pendergast interview experts in this weekly talk show, discussing all aspects of home improvement. From small DIY jobs to large scale projects, the How to Home Podcast covers everything you need to know about creating a home you love.

  1. 07/09/2019

    Furniture Design | HTH 025

    This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Patrick Cain of Patrick Cain Designs about his interesting path to becoming a furniture designer, and the business side of being a maker.   LET’S CHAT! You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail! 978-709-1040   NOTABLE MOMENTS : Patrick attributes his success to having a curiosity and learning. He started mid-century modern and moved into minimalist design. He’s currently working on a brutalist vibe with a little touch of Memphis.  Patrick’s company employs people from every continent.  The shop’s process is super collaborative. Patrick has everyone in the shop give input.  In addition to his main site, Patrick sells his second hand concrete pieces on Etsy, and also at the Rose Bowl Flea Market.  “Do what you like, save what you love as a hobby”.  Patrick looks at selling at the flea market as free A/B testing. He can tell if he’s doing the right thing by who approaches him to hear more. “I believe in open cabinetry because you can’t hide things!” The dogs in Patrick’s photos are from Angel City Pitbulls. If you’re thinking of starting a business, focus on a product that’s safe and then expand.   THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING FURNITURE: If it’s MDF or particle board it’s not going to hold up. The heavier the better. Look for furniture that is environmentally friendly. Things that are made from new materials are better if they’re going to last 10 years.   ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS: Patrick uses recycled styrofoam in his concrete pieces. Their team looks for fallen trees and materials that can be reclaimed.    SOME CHALLENGES OF RUNNING A BUSINESS/MOST REWARDING: One of the biggest challenges is, Los Angeles doesn’t make it easy to run a business. Being able to pay yourself is tough- it goes to employees and getting reinvested. Having steady work. Finding employees! Finding reliable people is so difficult. Having a happy customer is really rewarding.  FIND PATRICK: Website | patrickcaindesigns.com The Gram | @patrickcaindesigns Facebook | facebook.com/PatrickCainDesigns Pinterest | pinterest.com/PCD_Furniture   FOLLOW US on Social Media: Website | https://howtohome.com/ Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast: Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

    47 min

  2. 07/04/2019

    Get Better Sleep | HTH 024

    This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Philip Shen about tips for creating a great sleep environment in your home.   LET’S CHAT! You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail! 978-709-1040   WHY SLEEP IS IMPORTANT: We spend ⅓ of our lives sleeping, so it’s critical for health. The body restores and repairs itself during sleep. Good sleep also supports your memory.   HOW TO CREATE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT: Make sure your room is cool and quiet. Get the proper mattress for your alignment. Block out noise and light. No tv or electronics in the bedroom. The bedroom should be for sleep. Comfortable and soothing colors. Hot showers, massage and warm beverages/hot water (non-caffeinated) are great before bed. Tracy suggested blue light cancelling glasses.    WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A MATTRESS/PILLOW: For youngsters, the mattress requirements aren’t as important- but it’s important they’re cool. Philip recommends mattress protectors for health. 80 percent of the sleeping population are side sleepers, and side sleeping creates the most pressure points. It’s important for side sleepers to get the correct firmness. Philip recommends mattresses with zoning technology. Mattresses should last 8 years. If you have broad shoulders you need a bigger pillow. Body pillows are great for support.  Philip likes the Snuz mattress, specifically the hybrid bed.   SOCIAL QUESTIONS: Q: If you have a cooling mattress and put a mattress protector over it, are you negating the benefits?   A: Yes, but they make cooling mattress protectors as well. Also, with the zipper top mattress protector that’s available, you can actually unzip and clean without buying a mattress protector.      FIND PHILIP: Website | www.sleepchoices.com The Gram | @sleepchoices   FOLLOW US on Social Media: Website | https://howtohome.com/ Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast: Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

    41 min

  3. 06/25/2019

    Build your DIY Confidence | HTH 023

    This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Brad Rodriguez of Fix This, Build That about ways to establish your DIY confidence and potentially transition it into a business.   LET’S CHAT! You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail! 978-709-1040   NOTABLE MOMENTS : - Brad was in corporate America for 17 years before he went this route. - He sets defined goals and thinks ahead for what he wants to accomplish daily in the shop to make his time more efficient. - His philosophy for Fix This, Build That is: Educate, Inspire, Entertain. - In terms of getting your feet wet with DIY, Brad suggests: “Start with something you’re going to have success with”. - A skill Brad wants to add to his arsenal is metal working. - His favorite wood to work with is walnut. - This is Brad’s favorite project to date (a side-board cabinet): https://fixthisbuildthat.com/diy-sideboard-cabinet-woodworking-plans-2/ - Tool Must-Haves for the beginner: 3 piece cordless 18 volt set (drill, driver, circular saw), orbital sander, tape measure, pencil, carpenter square. - Brad recommends letting other people know you’re into woodworking, because people will cycle through tools and pass them on or give you a heads up about estate sales etc. - Some of Brad’s favorite resources are Pinterest and Google image searches. He’s also inspired by hotels.   SOCIAL QUESTIONS: Q: As a maker is it hard to stay on top of personal work for your home and family? A:  It absolutely is. Brad also talked about the guilt of balancing projects between children.   Q: What is your “woulda shoulda been” career? A: Brad’s always thought he would be a good litigators.   Q: Now that you do your hobby as a business, what do you do for fun? A: Brad enjoys the business side of the making (the analytics etc.), but is working hard to step away from the business and focus on hobbies again. Right now the down time is dedicated to the kids and occasional Netflix.   FIND BRAD: Website | https://www.fixthisbuildthat.com The Gram | https://www.instagram.com/fixthisbuildthat Podcast | https://madeforprofit.com/episodes YouTube | http://youtube.com/c/fixthisbuildthat   FOLLOW US on Social Media: Website | https://howtohome.com/ Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH   SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast: Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

    57 min

  4. 06/18/2019

    Cabin Retreat with Mind Tree Arts | HTH 022

    This week Aaron and Tracy chat with artist Peter Staley about blending creativity and construction.   LET’S CHAT! You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail! 978-709-1040   QUICK FACTS ABOUT PETER’S WORK: - Peter refers to his structures as shrines to nature. - His first woodworking was building stretchers for paintings and then he moved on to set design. - Once he built his own store (his wife’s kids shop), a lot of people had him start building their stores. He likes to bring nature inside. - Recently he’s been building a lot of cabins, which was a natural progression after building a work cabin for his wife’s second store. His latest cabin is a liveable space, 200 sq ft with a sleeping loft and outdoor shower. - His nature inspiration stems from his time in the Adirondacks as a child. https://visitadirondacks.com - Peter can look at a space and visualize what he wants to do with it. - Peter sees his builds as art and it’s a very spiritual process. - His favorite materials are: cedar and shou sugi ban. - He loves buying from Angel City Lumber- https://www.angelcitylumber.com - Peter feels this medium is the one that connects with people the most, whereas his art doesn’t necessarily connect with everyone. - Peter’s tip for creating a more functional small space is: laying stuff out with blue tape and seeing how it would feel to move around in the space. - “I would like someone to enter a space I made and have a spiritual experience.” - Peter’s suggestion for the beginner: “Get some tools and start playing around. Make a box!” - Peter believes everything needs to go as green as possible. He’d like to see a return to natural and comfortable materials.   SOCIAL QUESTIONS: Q: Do you feel you have a signature style? A: Not on purpose, but yes. Peter doesn’t try to make things in his style, it’s just his natural progression.   Q:  How long is the planning process? A: A couple of weeks.   Q: Where does your inspiration come from with your art? A: It just comes to Peter and he needs to get it out.   Q: Is it hard to see a structure decorated in a way that doesn’t fit your intention for the space? A: At first it is, but then you get used to it.   FIND PETER: Website (Build) | https://www.mindtreearts.com Website (Art) | http://www.peterstaley.com The Gram | https://www.instagram.com/mindtreearts & https://www.instagram.com/p_staley   FOLLOW US on Social Media: Website | https://howtohome.com/ Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast: Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

    39 min

  5. 06/11/2019

    Family Budgeting with Kumiko Love, “The Budget Mom”| HTH 021

    This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Kumiko Love about tips for jump starting your family budget and how to stick with it.   LET’S CHAT! You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail! 978-709-1040   KUMIKO’S METHOD: - Kumiko does the budget by paycheck method, and also implements a calendar. - She doesn’t use a predetermined dollar amount or percentage.   JUMP START YOUR BUDGET: - Learn the emotions and triggers behind your spending. - When you’re a freelancer, knowing everything about your past spending is important. - Meal plan! Food is a budget killer. - Track your spending and figure out where your money is being sucked. - Call the companies behind your monthly bills and see if you can get your costs down. - Create an allowance for spontaneous purchases. - Homeowners should have an emergency fund and a maintenance fund. - Find a financial adviser you can trust, if you don’t feel comfortable making the decisions on your own. - Kumiko thinks you’re more motivated to save if you have savings accounts labeled as your specific goal. - “If I spend the money right now, what am I giving up in the future?” - For student loans- sit down and figure out exactly what you have. - There are financial counselors out there for free! Check out non-profit organizations and banks.   TOP 5 TIPS: - Discover your why. Why do you want to start budgeting? - Track your spending. It’s the number one action step. - Look at your recurring bills and try to get them down. - Sit down and look at your debt. Write it all out. - Figure out what kind of learner you are? That’s how you have to organize your finances to stay motivated.   COMMON PITFALLS: - They can’t change their mindset surrounding what they have/need. - They feel stuck. - Food! They need to meal plan. - Not knowing where to start with debt.   CONTACT KUMIKO: Website | https://thebudgetmom.com The Gram | @thebudgetmom Youtube | @thebudgetmom   FOLLOW US on Social Media: Website | https://howtohome.com/ Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast: Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

    53 min

  6. 06/04/2019

    Unconventional Living with Zac Ruiz | HTH 020

    This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Zac Ruiz of Den For Our Cubs. They discuss how he and his wife made the decision to leave their life in Southern California to live in a tent in New Mexico- and Zac’s philosophy on living a life you love.   LET’S CHAT! You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail! 978-709-1040 QUICK FACTS ABOUT ZAC’S HOME: - They currently live in New Mexico. - They transitioned from apartment, to camper and then to the tent. - The canvas home is 300 sq ft and 12 ft tall. - They built a platform and then a frame, then essentially just slid the tent on. - They have polycarbonate sheets on the front of the tent to let in sunlight. - They heat the tent with a propane heater. This is the one he mentioned: https://www.mrheater.com/big-buddy-portable-heater.html - They have a water well and use their Berkey to filter it. https://www.berkeyfilters.com - The house cost $5,000 to build. - They have a composting toilet. This is the one thing Zac mentioned not enjoying in terms of upkeep. - They’re not off the grid, they go into “town” for normal activities.   “If you don’t like your life- try something. If you still don’t like it- try something else!”   The Etsy Shop: - Zac sells custom lights for homes and businesses. - He builds in shipping container. - www.etsy.com/shop/MoonStoneFox   SOCIAL QUESTIONS: Q: Did you ever have a moment where it was so overwhelming and you felt like you made the wrong choice? A: There are always doubts/fears but he was so tired of California and ready for a change that this life is refreshing.   Q: Do you plan on homeschooling? A: Yes. Zac and his siblings were homeschooled and they plan on doing the same.   Q: Are bugs a problem? A: Surprisingly, NO!   Q: Do you grow your own vegetables? A: Yes, but not a full farm lifestyle. They try to buy local as much as possible.   FIND ZAC: Website | https://denforourcubs.wordpress.com The Gram | https://www.instagram.com/DENFOROURCUBS/ Etsy | https://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonStoneFox   FOLLOW US on social media: Website | https://howtohome.com/ Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast: Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

    54 min

  7. 05/28/2019

    Stuff They Don’t Tell You About Becoming A Home-Owner | HTH019

    This week Aaron and Tracy chat with comedians Nikki Limo and Steve Green about their home buying journey , and all the stuff no one tells you about becoming a homeowner.   LET’S CHAT! You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail! 978-709-1040   FIND STEVE AND NIKKI: Podcast | https://apple.co/2W2BpjU The Gram | @nikkilimo, @stevegreencomedy & @shttheydonttellyou YouTube | nikkilimo Websites | www.nikki.limo & www.patreon.com/stikki   FOLLOW US on social media: Website | https://howtohome.com/ Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast: Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

    49 min

  8. 05/21/2019

    Home Organizing 101 | HTH 018

    This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Neat Method, Santa Barbara owner, Kat Petty about sustainable solutions and hacks for creating an organized home.   LET’S CHAT! You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail! 978-709-1040   KAT’S TIPS: - Take everything out of your space, categorize it and then find homes for it. - There are great containers at every price point. - Group things in like categories. Have some very specific categories, but also some more broad ones. - When things are labeled people are more inclined to put things where they belong. - People often pre-shop for product, but Kat recommends taking everything out first and grabbing what you need next. - Have donate bins in your home that you take out regularly. - If you haven’t worn something in a year (and it’s not for a special occasion) let it go! - Keep like seasonal items together in grabbable bins. - Go room by room (no more than 3 spaces at a time). - Clear drawer organizers are great for the bathroom. - Get rid of old makeup and products you no longer use. - To make a deep shelf efficient try not to stack things behind others. Use containers that serve as drawers. Kat recommends the deep Linus bin. Linked below.   TIPS FOR KIDS TOYS: - Kat loves the shoebox bins because they’re clear and kids can see what’s in them. They’re also stackable. - Label everything, but not crazy specific. (For example: “Friends” could be stuffed animals and figurines.) - Have extra labels on hand. - Small pieces and art supplies can be maintained in clear plastic bins as well. - File folders/holder for coloring books (genius!!!).   TIPS FOR THE CAR: - Keep a basket or tote with handles in the car, fill it up and then bring it in every day/set it back by the door. - Have a bin that’s only car toys.   TIPS FOR THE CAR: - Clear everything out, let go of things, map out the system and put everything back in. - Get things off the ground. You can hang everything: strollers, bikes etc. KAT MENTIONED: Shoe box containers Artkive Pantry Risers Linus Drawer Dividers (they’re available in multiple sizes) Linus Bin Lazy susan Kat’s favorite pens for labeling     SOCIAL QUESTIONS: Q: Any tips on space saving organization for communal living? A: A furniture piece that has little cubbies/bins. Kat likes this one- https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S29278262/   Q: How do I avoid my kitchen table becoming my family command center? A: Have a drop zone close to the front door. Mail system that says: To Do, File & Outgoing will help. Create homes for everything to go to.   Q: What can I do TODAY to start? A: Put a date on your calendar. Start with the purging process. Look for expired stuff in pantry.   CONTACT KAT: Website | https://neatmethod.com/location/santa-barbara/ The Gram | @katpetteyhome Email | katpettey@neatmethod.com   FOLLOW US on social media: Website | https://howtohome.com/ Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast: Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

    48 min
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    4.9
    out of 5
    31 Ratings

    About

    Hosts Aaron Massey and Tracy Pendergast interview experts in this weekly talk show, discussing all aspects of home improvement. From small DIY jobs to large scale projects, the How to Home Podcast covers everything you need to know about creating a home you love.

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