In this episode, we talk with Brahm, a homeowner in Cincinnati, Ohio, who recently completed a new custom build in Indian Hill. This was his second time building a home, and while the first experience was rocky, this time around he struck gold—with the team, the process, and the final result. We walk through his journey from initial spark to move-in, digging into everything from design decisions to the importance of asking questions—even late in the process.

We start by getting the lay of the land: the home is a little over 7,500 square feet including the finished lower level, with a four-car garage and traditional architectural styling. Although it began as a French country concept, the look shifted along the way. Brahm shares how life events and COVID-era reflections prompted a focus on aging in place, including designing a dedicated caregiver suite. He also kept a running wish list and created a room-by-room heat map of his old house to guide design priorities—a level of clarity that shaped everything from layout to finish selection.

Throughout the project, Brahm emphasizes the importance of flexibility and mindset. One key takeaway: plan for a contingency in your budget and get comfortable spending it. He tells us how his initial instinct was to cut corners early, but by the end, he was more willing to invest in meaningful upgrades—like expanding stone on the exterior or designing the home gym he always wanted. We talk about the value of speaking up even late in the game, and how his team consistently responded with, “If it’s what you want, let’s figure it out.”

We also hear about the personal touches that made the home truly his: a four-car garage he treats like a showroom, a well-lit and Zen-inspired home gym, and a themed Dungeons & Dragons room that taps into an interest he and his son re-connected with. He credits his successful outcome to a strong builder-architect relationship, an engaged mindset, and making decisions based on how he and his wife actually live—not resale value or trends.

We wrap with some real talk: no project is perfect. Even when the team is solid and the process is smooth, there will always be second guesses and minor regrets. But for Brahm, the joy far outweighs the doubts—and that’s a win.

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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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