In this special CoolHouseConnection “On the Road” episode, host Deb d’Aquin takes listeners far beyond Western North Carolina to explore the breathtaking architecture and landscapes of Bariloche, Argentina.

After the first two episodes of Season 2 examined the Spanish roots of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Deb continues the Spanish connection by traveling south to one of South America’s most spectacular regions. From the world-famous Iguazú Falls to the alpine lakes and forests of Patagonia, this episode uncovers a place where nature, architecture, and design innovation intersect.

Deb shares her discoveries in the resort enclave of Arelauquen near Lake Gutiérrez, where modernist homes blend seamlessly into old-growth forests with thoughtful details, dramatic windows, cantilevered structures, vertical gardens, and striking design features like corten steel chimneys and sculptural carports.

This episode is a journey into global design inspiration, showing how ideas from unexpected places can spark creativity back home in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Next episode: Deb checks in on the renovation underway at her home in Murcia, Spain.

Share with friends, and as always… Stay Cool.

In Part Two of this special Season 2 historical series, host Deb d’Aquin welcomes back Realtor, business partner, historian, and author Ryan Phillips to move beyond the documented Spanish expeditions and into the space where history and legend collide.

After laying the factual groundwork in Part One, Juan Pardo’s inland push, the towns of Tocae and Cauchi, the fortified Chisca stronghold, and the violent clash led by Hernando Moyano, this episode shifts to the deeper question: Why did the Chisca story refuse to fade?

Ryan explores the 1600 testimonies describing the Chiscas as pale-skinned, blue-eyed, and red-haired, along with persistent references to gold gathered from the mountains, details that transformed a documented expedition into one of the Blue Ridge’s most enduring mysteries .

Drawing from his historical fiction work, The Legend of the Chiscas: From Viking to Melungeon?, Ryan explains why he chose to build a narrative investigation, anchored in real place names, real geography, and real Spanish records, while inviting readers to sit with the unanswered questions .

This episode is not about proving a theory. It’s about understanding how documented events become generational legend and why Western North Carolina’s mountains still echo with stories that blur the line between fact and folklore.

If you love layered history, Appalachian identity mysteries, and the deeper texture of place, this conversation will expand the way you see the Blue Ridge forever.

Stay curious. Stay listening. And as always, Stay Cool.

Season Two of CoolHouseConnection launches with a riveting deep dive into the 16th-century Spanish expeditions that reached the mountains of Western North Carolina, long before the Scotch-Irish arrived.

Host Deb d’Aquin welcomes her business partner, historian and author Ryan Phillips, to unpack the fascinating story of the Juan Pardo expeditions (1566–1568), Fort San Juan near modern-day Morganton, and the mysterious native group known as the Chiscas. From Tocae (near present-day Asheville) to Cauchi (near Marshall) and north toward the Nolichucky River, this episode explores diplomacy, conflict, rumors of gold, and geography that still shapes our region today.

Ryan also introduces the compelling 1600 testimonies describing the Chiscas as pale-skinned and blue-eyed, details that inspired his historical fiction work The Legend of the Chiscas: From Viking to Melungeon.

This is not just history, it’s the layered foundation of the land we live on, buy on, and build on today.

Join us next episode as the legend deepens and the story continues.

In the heartfelt Season One finale of CoolHouseConnection, Deb d’Aquin invites us to pause and ask: what truly makes a house a home? From rising home prices and 50-year mortgages to sawdust-filled renovation sagas, Deb shares personal stories, practical truths, and visionary design reflections that remind us home is more than square footage, it’s soul.

You’ll hear about her early life in a modest 600 sq ft house, the wild ride of 10 full-house renovations, and the power of waiting, watching, and listening to a space before acting. Whether you’re dreaming up your next project, feeling the weight of affordability issues, or simply needing inspiration to reimagine your space, this episode is filled with wisdom, humor, and hope.

As the CoolHouseConnection team signs off for a midwinter reset, Deb previews what’s ahead for Season 2, new places, unforgettable guests, and deeper explorations of history, design, and what it means to belong. Until then: Stay Cool, Stay Inspired, and Stay Connected.

In this eye-opening episode of Cool House Connection, your host Deb d’Aquin dives into one of real estate’s hottest and most misunderstood topics: co-ownership. Far removed from the outdated timeshare model, today’s co-ownership opportunities offer smart, flexible, and affordable pathways to second-home living—whether you're dreaming of the Canadian Maritimes or the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Drawing from her personal experience and global marketing insights, Deb explores how co-ownership (also known as tenants-in-common) is reshaping the real estate landscape for buyers seeking shared seasonal occupancy, cost-efficiency, and equity-building in premium homes. You'll learn how this legal and financial structure works, what questions to ask, and how it can be a game-changer for buyers across generations.

Whether you’re a snowbird from Florida looking for a cool summer escape, or a local who wants to travel without giving up your home base—this episode offers a compelling, step-by-step roadmap for exploring shared property dreams.

Want help finding co-ownership opportunities in Yancey County or beyond? Deb and Ryan can help you unlock the door. And yes—they can even help you use crypto.

In this heartwarming episode of CoolHouseConnection, host Deb d’Aquin welcomes her neighbor and dear friend Connie Rabon to share a deeply personal story of finding home, purpose, and belonging in the mountains of Western North Carolina. From a spontaneous house tour in Burnsville to hiking the ridgelines and volunteering during a natural disaster, Connie reflects on the journey of settling into a mountain community—and how it became something far greater than she ever expected. Together, they explore the power of community, art, service, and connection, and how paying it forward—whether through dinner parties or trail maintenance—shapes the soul of a place. Whether you're dreaming of your own mountain escape or simply seeking inspiration, this conversation is a reminder that home isn’t just where you live—it’s where you show up.

In Episode 17 of CoolHouseConnection, host Deb d’Aquin dives deep into the transformative power of color in home design. Drawing from personal experience, color theory, and even a trip to the Benjamin Moore store, Deb explores how hues influence mood, energy, and emotional connection to our living spaces. Whether it’s a serene silvery blue dining room with dramatic flair or the timeless elegance of White Dove, she explains how to tune your color palette to speak volumes—without saying a word. From primaries to neutrals, color-drenching trends to real-life realtor stories, this episode offers both practical design insight and vibrant inspiration. You'll come away empowered to see color as more than decoration—it’s a mood-setter, a memory-maker, and a secret weapon in any great space.

In this lively solo episode of CoolHouseConnection, host Deb d’Aquin takes us on a no-holds-barred tour of decorating disasters—from gaudy gold overloads to clumsy curtain calls. With humor, insight, and a designer’s eye, Deb unpacks the most common interior design DON’Ts that sabotage even the most well-intentioned spaces. You’ll hear everything from paint color pitfalls and lighting faux pas to the heartbreak of overstuffed rooms, bad furniture placement, and poor storage planning. Deb also spotlights two local homes in Yancey and Mitchell counties that get it just right, celebrating timeless choices and multi-generational functionality. But watch out for her one glaring Decorating Don’t—a cautionary tale wrapped in HOA red tape and uninspired design. Whether you're staging to sell, dreaming up your next remodel, or just love design talk with real estate flavor, this episode delivers equal parts education and entertainment.

In Episode 15 of CoolHouseConnection, Deb d’Aquin dives into the fascinating fusion of technology and design, celebrating how innovation is reshaping the way we live, build, and dream. From 3D-printed houses and modular builds to AI-powered design tools and biophilic architecture, this episode is a vibrant tour through the most exciting frontiers of the modern home. Deb shares her own real-world experiments—like collaborating across oceans using AI tools and designing serpentine staircases in reimagined warehouses. She also reflects on green materials like CLT and moss-growing bricks that clean the air and cool buildings, showcasing how smart design can be sustainable, affordable, and drop-dead gorgeous. Whether you’re a homebuilder, renovator, or tech-loving dreamer, this episode will leave you inspired to build not just smarter—but bolder.

In this inspiring first guest episode of CoolHouseConnection, host Deb d’Aquin welcomes celebrated writer, nature lover, and Western North Carolina creative voice Sue Wasserman. Together, they explore the transformative power of presence in nature, the artistry of wildflowers, and the deep emotional pull of the Appalachian landscape. Sue shares her favorite local trails—like Spivey Gap and Roaring Fork Falls—and paints vivid scenes of rare spring blooms, ghost fireflies, and the joy of slowing down to truly see. From lessons learned in the forest to fairy tales inspired by pink lady slippers and caterpillars-turned-butterflies, Sue reflects on how flora, clay, and community combine to create a region rich in wonder, creativity, and soul. Whether you're a local, a newcomer, or a dreamer looking for home, this episode invites you to fall in love all over again—with nature, with craft, and with the quiet beauty of the Blue Ridge.