Architects At Home: What Mark LePage Learned The Hard Way

In this episode of Home: The Second Story, we talk with Mark LePage, architect, podcaster, and founder of EntreArchitect. We start by exploring Mark’s deep ties to the architecture community, including how he brought our three hosts together through the mastermind groups of the EntreArchitect Academy. Mark shares how the desire to improve how architects talk about business led him to launch a blog in 2007, which ultimately became a thriving podcast and online resource that has impacted thousands. We then dive into Mark’s personal journey renovating a 1934 stucco cottage in Chappaqua, New York. He and his wife Annmarie, also an architect, purchased the house in 1997 after falling in love with its untouched vintage charm—even though it had been neglected for decades and was on the verge of being torn down. They saw potential where others saw a teardown. Their initial phase involved cleaning and restoring the house to a livable condition, doing most of the work themselves. Phase two came after the birth of their children, when Annmarie's father helped fund an addition to make the home more functional. They added a second story, modern HVAC, and all-new systems while keeping the design faithful to the original structure. Though both architects, they faced familiar homeowner struggles—like living through part of the renovation, learning the hard way that it’s rarely worth the inconvenience.In phase three, they finished the kitchen and dining room with a higher level of detail, taking care to elevate the home’s value in a neighborhood where teardowns were common. Mark describes their philosophy as being stewards of the home, making sure it would last beyond their ownership. We also cover his second renovation in North Carolina after relocating to be near family. In that project, Mark again applied strategic phasing, but faced new challenges—especially with contractors and scheduling in a new region. His advice for homeowners is clear: plan thoroughly with a master plan, be honest about your budget, and don’t underestimate the importance of timing and infrastructure. Throughout the episode, we reflect on how much love and intention can shape a home. Mark reminds us that architects can help homeowners not just with drawings, but with long-term strategy, emotional stewardship, and tough decisions. His mantra—love, learn, share—resonates across everything we discussed. More: Mark's Entre Architect: https://entrearchitect.com/ Mark and Annemarie's new North Carolina home on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waldenpondhome 00:00 – Intro to the Podcast01:07 – Meet Mark LePage03:19 – The Origin of EntreArchitect06:00 – The 12/12/12 Launch10:45 – Transition to Mark’s Home Renovation Story11:14 – Finding the Chappaqua Cottage17:47 – Purchasing the Neglected Gem20:00 – Initial Renovation and Move-In22:36 – Phase Two: The Addition26:56 – Designing as Architects and Living Through It30:48 – Lessons from Living in Construction34:18 – HVAC, Plumbing, and Infrastructure Tips37:28 – Phase Three: The Dream Kitchen38:20 – Advice on Strategic Phasing42:00 – Budget Honesty and Contingency Planning46:08 – The Move to North Carolina50:00 – Renovating in the South53:14 – Favorite Parts of Each Home55:04 – Closing Reflections & Takeaways59:27 – Outro and Contact Info Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us! [email protected] about our hosts:Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.comSherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.