How to Decorate

Ep. 325: Houses with History with Jen MacDonald and Mike Lemieux

Listen Later

This week, we welcome history buff Mike Lemieux and designer Jen MacDonald, stars of HGTV’s ‘Houses with History’. These passionate preservationists are dedicated to restoring historic homes in and around Plymouth, Massachusetts. With over a decade of experience, Jennifer and Mike have a knack for uncovering and reviving these architectural gems. In this episode, they talk about how they got into historic preservation, tips for decorating with a historic aesthetic, and their unique perspective on preservation.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

  • They got into historic preservation as a way to combine their desire to get out of the corporate grind and move toward their passion for historic real estate.
  • A glimpse into some of the 14 houses they have restored for the show.
  • What is a normal time frame from start to finish?
  • How their work turned into a TV show - who knew Mike’s love of improv would have landed him on HGTV!
  • Some things to consider when looking into an old house.
  • The importance of being practical, staying within your budget, and evaluating the home’s structural foundation.
  • What scares people away from old homes that shouldn’t? Ahem, windows!
  • If you buy an old home, how can you educate yourself on its history?
  • Mike and Jen talk about their passion for antiques and a few of their favorite recent finds.
  • A word of advice: think before you demo!

    • Mentioned in This Episode:

    • Ballard Designs
    • Houses with History
    • Jen: IG
    • Mike: IG
      • ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store
      How to DecorateBy Ballard Designs
      • 4.4
      • 4.4
      • 4.4
      • 4.4
      • 4.4

      4.4

      801 ratings

      More shows like How to Decorate

      View all
      The Simple Sophisticate - Intelligent Living Paired with Signature Style by Shannon Ables

      The Simple Sophisticate - Intelligent Living Paired with Signature Style

      881 Listeners

      Affordable Interior Design by Uploft by Betsy Helmuth

      Affordable Interior Design by Uploft

      370 Listeners

      A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast by LuAnn Nigara

      A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

      768 Listeners

      ClutterBug - Organize, Clean and Transform your Home & Life by Clutterbug

      ClutterBug - Organize, Clean and Transform your Home & Life

      1,987 Listeners

      This Organized Life: Decluttering Tips for Moms, Entrepreneurs and Professional Organizers by Laurie Palau

      This Organized Life: Decluttering Tips for Moms, Entrepreneurs and Professional Organizers

      279 Listeners

      Decorating Tips and Tricks by Bespoke FM

      Decorating Tips and Tricks

      801 Listeners

      Business of Home Podcast by Business of Home, Dennis Scully

      Business of Home Podcast

      424 Listeners

      The Everyday Style School by Jennifer Mackey Mary

      The Everyday Style School

      506 Listeners

      Dear Alice | Interior Design by Alice Lane

      Dear Alice | Interior Design

      1,483 Listeners

      The Chairish Podcast by Chairish Inc.

      The Chairish Podcast

      231 Listeners

      Trade Tales by Business of Home, Kaitlin Petersen

      Trade Tales

      70 Listeners

      The Interior Collective by IDCO Studio

      The Interior Collective

      286 Listeners

      HER Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing by Heather Riggs - Stylist, Image Consultant & Color Analyst for Women

      HER Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing

      123 Listeners

      Ideas of Order by California Closets and SURROUND Podcast Network

      Ideas of Order

      131 Listeners

      Talk Shop with Ariel Okin: A Fenimore Lane Production by Ariel Okin

      Talk Shop with Ariel Okin: A Fenimore Lane Production

      38 Listeners