Cool House Connection

In this episode of CoolHouseConnection , Deb explores one of the simplest and most powerful design tools we have: flowers. From centuries-old stone villages in Galicia to our own porches, gardens, kitchens, and living spaces, flowers have an extraordinary ability to soften architecture, create warmth, and make a house feel alive. Deb shares how climbing roses, hydrangeas, lavender, wildflowers, gr...

In this episode of CoolHouseConnection , Deb continues her journey through Galicia, Spain, but this time the conversation goes beyond discovering beautiful old stone houses. Galicia has begun changing the way she thinks about home itself. Drawing inspiration from centuries-old villages, handcrafted stone homes, flowing rivers, natural landscapes, and close-knit communities, Deb shares ten lessons...

In this episode of CoolHouseConnection , Deb takes listeners along on a deeply personal journey through Galicia, the mysterious and beautiful northwest corner of Spain that has unexpectedly captured her heart. Forget the familiar image of sunny beaches and whitewashed Spanish villages. Galicia offers something entirely different. Emerald hills, ancient forests, misty valleys, medieval towns, therm...

In this episode of Cool House Connection, Deb steps back from the technology conversation to explore something even more fundamental. Why we choose to live where we live. As remote work and digital tools reshape daily life, more people than ever are asking a new question. Not where do I need to live, but where do I want to live. That shift is changing how we think about homes, communities, and the...

In this episode of Cool House Connection, Deb explores one of the most exciting shifts happening in the world of home design today. The rise of artificial intelligence, 3D visualization, and virtual renovation tools that are transforming how we build, buy, and dream about homes. What once required imagination and guesswork can now be seen in real time. Deb walks through how these emerging technolo...

In this episode of Cool House Connection, Deb takes a closer look at something most people rarely think about but experience every single day. Comfort. At first glance, heat pumps may not sound like the most exciting topic. But as Deb explains, this conversation is about much more than a piece of equipment. It is about how homes are evolving, how technology is quietly reshaping daily life, and wha...

What makes a house truly great? Is it the dramatic photos, soaring ceilings, and magazine-worthy design, or is it something much deeper? In this thought-provoking episode of CoolHouseConnection , host Deb d'Aquin explores the often-overlooked difference between houses that look impressive and houses that actually feel wonderful to live in. From open-concept floor plans and social media-driven...

In this episode of Cool House Connection, Deb takes a thoughtful look at the powerful emotional pull behind tiny houses and why they captivate so many people. From beautifully designed small spaces to the idea of living with less, tiny homes have become a symbol of something deeper than square footage. Deb explores how the appeal often has less to do with size and more to do with relief. Relief fr...

In this episode of Cool House Connection, Deb takes a closer look at one of the most romanticized lifestyles in real estate. Mountain living. From breathtaking views and quiet mornings to the deeper emotional pull of escape and simplicity, the mountains represent something powerful for many people. But what does it really feel like to live there full time? Deb shares her firsthand perspective from...

In this episode of Cool House Connection, Deb explores a quiet but powerful realization that many homeowners eventually face. The moment when a house that once felt perfect no longer fits the life being lived inside it. This shift rarely happens all at once. It shows up slowly through unused rooms, spaces that feel too tight or out of sync, or a layout that no longer supports daily life. Deb walks...

In this episode of Cool House Connection, Deb explores something every homeowner experiences but rarely talks about in depth. The quiet, gradual aging of a home. From the first subtle signs like creaking floors and shifting doors to the larger questions around maintenance, repair, and replacement, this episode looks at how houses change over time and what that really means. Deb reframes aging not...

In this episode of Cool House Connection , Deb invites you to step outside, right to the front of the home, where something quietly powerful can happen. From welcoming porches to cozy fire pits and thoughtfully designed front yards, these spaces do more than look beautiful, they create connection. They encourage conversations, slow down daily life, and transform ordinary homes into places where pe...

In this episode of Cool House Connection , Deb shares an exciting update on the Spanish renovation project, and the unexpected beauty that’s been uncovered along the way. From the final stages of demolition to the first glimpses of transformation, this project is beginning to reveal its true character. Hidden ceiling height, exposed structural beams, and stunning rock walls have emerged, offering...

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 spectac...

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...

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 Morgan...

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...

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. Dra...

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...

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...

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 t...

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...

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 Roar...

In Episode 13 of CoolHouseConnection , host Deb d’Aquin asks a provocative question: What’s religion got to do with real estate? The answer might surprise you. In this soulful and thought-provoking episode, Deb explores the timeless beauty and cultural resonance of church architecture in Southern Appalachia—and how these sacred spaces influence design, community, and even real estate opportunity....

In Episode 12 of CoolHouseConnection , host Deb d’Aquin returns from her design-inspired journey through Italy and brings us back home to Yancey County, NC with a fresh lens on what makes a space truly feel like home . Deb explores the concept of “ design light ”—creative, low-lift ways to refresh your living space without the chaos of full-scale renovation . From layering meaningful objects and p...