328. House Build Reflections: What Worked, What Didn’t, and What We’d Change | Ash of Turner Farm

2026-02-10

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Building a home is an opportunity to slow down and make thoughtful choices that will shape your family’s everyday life for years to come. In this conversation, I’m joined by Ash of Turner Farm to talk through what it really looks like to build an unconventional home in a world of cookie cutter houses. We discuss choosing a smaller footprint, sourcing reclaimed materials, navigating healthy home considerations, and making peace with tradeoffs along the way. This episode offers perspective for anyone building, renovating, or dreaming of a home that feels like YOU.

In this episode, we cover:

How Ash’s custom house build unfolded slowly over many years and why patience was the key in achieving her ideal vision
Choosing a smaller home footprint to prioritize materials, craftsmanship, and long-term livability
What sourcing reclaimed and salvaged materials really looks like in terms of time, cost, and flexibility
Why self-contracting and hands-on involvement are often necessary for non-traditional builds
The realities of building with wood, including movement, drying time, and embracing imperfection
Weighing “healthy home” ideals against climate, budget, and everyday comfort
Structural choices that support airflow, moisture control, and long-term durability
Where antique or vintage-inspired elements work well — and where they create complications
How simpler rooflines and layouts can prevent future moisture and maintenance issues
Decisions Ash would repeat, and ones she’d rethink, when it comes to spending and saving
The importance of trusting your vision and advocating for it throughout the build
Accepting the inevitable “later list” and letting the home evolve over time