Not A 'Licensed' Architect

In this episode of Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect, Stefani Thatcher sits down with Meg Billings, owner of Meg & Co. Designer Homes, who went from building her own home out of necessity to becoming a certified master builder. Meg shares how stepping into construction without a roadmap shaped the way she runs her business today—from building strong trade relationships to creating systems that improv...

In this episode of Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect, Stefani Thatcher sits down with Don Titus, founder of Haven Architecture Studio. With over 25 years in the field and nearly two decades running his own business, Don shares a unique perspective shaped by both unlicensed and licensed experience. They dive into the realities of the licensure journey—what it actually takes, where people get stuck, and wh...

In this episode of Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect, Stefani Thatcher sits down with Cole Hamilton, licensed architect and founder of Hamilton Home Design. With a non-linear path into architecture, Cole shares how he built a business focused on designing homes that truly reflect the people who live in them. They unpack the realities of the residential design industry—from confusion around titles to gaps...

In this episode of Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect , Stefani Thatcher sits down with Brian Free, co-founder of VirtuActive, a residential design firm that has grown from a small side operation into a nationwide business serving builders and homeowners. With a background in construction and drafting, Brian brings a practical, process-driven perspective to residential design. Together, they explore what...

In this episode of Not A ‘Licensed’ Architect , Stefani Thatcher sits down with Jennie Leigh Jones, a residential designer with over 30 years of experience and a deeply rooted background in the design/build world. From sketching floor plans as a child to working at Southern Living Magazine and eventually building her own design studio, Jennie brings a practical, client-first perspective shaped by...

In this episode of Not A 'Licensed' Architect , Stefani Thatcher sits down with David Holtzclaw, principal of Transduction Technologies and a mechanical engineer specializing in building science and high-performance homes. With a background in aerospace and biomedical engineering, David brings a unique, science-driven perspective to residential design—challenging common assumptions about comfort,...

In this episode of ‘Not A Licensed Architect’, Stefani Thatcher talks with Grant Fuellenbach, founder of GO First Consulting and host of the Beyond the Bid podcast. Grant helps builders and construction professionals implement better systems, automation, and AI tools to streamline their businesses and improve the client experience. Together, they discuss how residential designers can identify work...

Every beautiful home is built twice — first on paper, then on-site. But what happens in between those stages is where most projects fall apart.  In this episode, I’m joined by Kimberly Parker, founder of Kimberly Parker Design and creator of Four Stripes , a new app helping design teams stay aligned from concept to construction. With 15+ years of experience in luxury residential projects, Kimberly...

What does it actually take to design and build your forever home — without losing your patience (or your mind)? In this episode, I’m joined by a former client, Mandy Wilkinson, a homeowner who spent 2.5 years turning her Pinterest-perfect colonial dream into a real, living home. From navigating COVID delays and truss troubles to rethinking design decisions mid-build, Mandy shares the truth about t...

What happens when builders and designers stop working in silos, and start building together ?  In this episode, I’m joined by Garrett Greenhalgh, owner of GPD Builders in Cache Valley, Utah, whose approach to custom homebuilding flips the traditional “us vs. them” dynamic on its head. From growing up on job sites with his dad to leading a respected custom home company today, Garrett’s story is a m...

What really defines a beautiful, functional home? When most people think about building their dream home, they obsess over finishes — countertops, flooring, paint colors, lighting fixtures. But here’s the truth: finishes are the last 5%.  In this episode, I’m joined by Liz Powell, owner of Liz Powell Design, whose work proves that true design success starts long before you’re picking tile and pain...

What does it really mean to be a design advocate in residential architecture? 🏡 In this episode, I’m joined by Jeff Fry , founder of Fry Design Company, who has spent decades raising the bar on what custom home design should look like. From pioneering CAD and BIM in the ’90s to running his own firm today, Jeff shares why clear, comprehensive plans matter — and how being an advocate for clients se...

What can 31 years in the plumbing trade teach us about building homes that actually work ? 🚰 In this episode, I’m joined by Clay Wengreen , a Navy veteran turned plumbing expert, whose career has spanned service work, large-scale construction, and running his own business. Clay’s story begins with learning steam propulsion systems in the Navy — and comes full circle to helping homeowners design k...

Ever wondered what makes a roof really work — structurally, financially, and aesthetically? 🤔 In this episode, I’m joined by my go-to truss engineer and creative problem solver, Ron Anderson , a true master of roof trusses with 25+ years of hands-on experience across every corner of construction and turning complicated plans into buildable, beautiful homes.  After a career shift sparked by an acc...

Why do many people hate their custom home experience? In this episode,  I’m joined by one of my favorite builders to collaborate with, Steve Coppieters, general contractor and founder of Stonegate Homes, who brings over three decades of building experience (including $20M homes in Park City!) and a reputation for putting the client first, always. Steve’s approach? Build homes that don’t just look...

I’m Stefani Thatcher —home designer, detail geek, and proud owner of a travel gallery full of random doors, windows, and the built environment. (Yes, sometimes more architecture pics than family ones. Oops.) Here’s the deal: I’ve been designing homes for 25+ years, and I am insanely passionate (bordering on obsessed) about helping people create beautiful, personal spaces they actually love living...