Episodios

  • From Gallery to Living Room: Rethinking Home Design Through Installation Art

    From Gallery to Living Room: Rethinking Home Design Through Installation Art
    Mar 7 2026
    In this episode of Home in Progress, Dan Hansen welcomes back former co-host Hailey Johnson for a conversation that blends art, creativity, and home design.Hailey shares what she’s been doing since stepping away from the show—focusing on product and color training at RepcoLite and continuing her work as an artist and curator. One of her newest projects is Hammer Space Gallery 2.0, an artist-run exhibition space she operates out of a detached garage, created to give installation artists and experimental creators more opportunities to show their work in Grand Rapids.The conversation explores installation art—a form of art that creates an immersive environment rather than a single object on a wall. Hailey explains how installation artists think about space, movement, materials, and the emotional experience of viewers.Dan and Hailey also preview the upcoming exhibition “Heaviest, Heaviest, Heaviest,” opening March 14 from 4:30–7:30 PM at Do Not Start in southwest Grand Rapids. The show features work by filmmaker Seejohn Czaplicki, installation artist Isabella Werschky, kinetic sculptor Abhishek Narula, and sound artist Nick Buwalda, including a live-composed sound performance.Along the way, the discussion connects artistic thinking to everyday design decisions in our homes. Topics include how objects relate to one another in a room, designing spaces around emotion rather than rules, choosing materials intentionally, and creating environments that invite curiosity.Whether you’re an art lover or simply trying to make your home feel more intentional, this conversation offers a fresh way to think about the spaces we live in.HEAVIEST, HEAVIEST, HEAVIEST
    1. March 14, 4:30 - 7:30
    2. at Do Not Start (1265 Godfrey Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
    3. Learn More

    Episode Breakdown00:00 Welcome back Hailey00:55 Why loving a color matters more than perfect technique02:34 Life update since leaving the show04:16 Hammer Space Gallery and artist-run spaces06:01 Why Grand Rapids needs more exhibition opportunities10:51 What installation art actually is13:19 Preview of Heaviest, Heaviest, Heaviest20:47 Event details and invitation24:21 Design lessons from installation art25:42 Thinking about rooms as a whole composition27:33 Flow, movement, and how people move through spaces28:40 Designing rooms around feeling30:16 Concept behind the exhibition31:28 Making intentional material choices32:31 A performance built around simple materials35:25 Collecting art with personal meaning37:14 Inviting curiosity into your home41:05 Finding joy in quirky design (the cat clock moment)44:13 When art challenges the viewer45:31 Seeing ordinary materials differently47:38 Event details and closing
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    50 m
  • 2026 Spring West Michigan Housing Market Update + Ski Chalet Paint Makeover

    2026 Spring West Michigan Housing Market Update + Ski Chalet Paint Makeover
    Feb 28 2026
    On this episode of Home in Progress, Dan Hansen sits down with Ginger Herman of Suprins Group at Five Star Real Estate Leaders for a timely 2026 West Michigan real estate update — plus a behind-the-scenes look at Ginger’s own ski chalet renovation.Ginger explains that as winter fades, Michigan’s spring market is heating up. Inventory remains tight but is improving, particularly in the $350,000–$400,000 range. Bidding wars are still happening, though not as frenzied as previous years. Mortgage rates have eased compared to last year, hovering in the high-5% to low-6% range, while home prices continue their steady climb.For sellers preparing to list, Ginger emphasizes the fundamentals: deep cleaning, decluttering, and addressing small deferred repairs. Strategic prep depends on your pricing goals and neighborhood comparables — but presentation still matters.In the second half of the episode, Ginger shares the story of purchasing and refreshing a fully furnished 1970s ski chalet rental — complete with orange accents and dated finishes. Instead of gutting the character, she leaned into it. Keeping the black trim and wood floors, she updated the space with Benjamin Moore Ballet White and Sweet Rosie Brown, using Scuff-X for durability in a high-traffic rental. With guidance from a color specialist and expert advice on finishes for tall, light-filled walls, the chalet now feels fresh while honoring its roots.A practical market update and a real-world paint transformation — all in one conversation.EPISODE TIMELINE00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:24 Winter Walk Mirror Moment03:32 Spring Market Warming Up05:09 Inventory and Buyer Segments07:00 Mortgage Rates and Pricing08:44 Offers and Timing Strategy11:03 Seller Prep and Touchups13:23 Deep Clean and Declutter18:14 Contact Info and Break19:19 Ski Chalet Project Begins20:15 Buying the Chalet Fast20:57 Renovation Plans and Style21:57 Seventies Decor Tour23:15 Renovation Vision24:26 Color Plan With Hailey27:18 Neutrals Versus Cabin Dark28:51 Bathroom Color Pop29:34 Paint Finish And Scuff X32:06 Why Experts Matter33:49 Wrap Up And Furnishings34:33 Rentals And Repeat Guests35:56 Consultations And Store Help38:27 Company Experience And Thanks39:17 Contact Info And Sign Off
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    40 m
  • Where to Caulk Before Painting + Laundry Room Layout Fixes + Paint Colors for Colorblind Homes

    Where to Caulk Before Painting + Laundry Room Layout Fixes + Paint Colors for Colorblind Homes
    Feb 21 2026
    In this episode of Home in Progress, Dan Hansen tackles three practical home topics that can quietly make or break your projects.First: Caulking before painting.Fresh paint exposes every gap your house has developed over time. Dan explains exactly where to caulk (baseboards, trim-to-wall joints, crown molding lines, built-ins, chair rail edges) — and where not to caulk (nail holes, drywall cracks, miter joints, floating cabinet panels). Using the wrong product in the wrong place can cause failure later. He also shares a tip on faster paint-ready caulks for projects on a tight timeline.Next: Laundry room flow upgrades.Dan continues his laundry efficiency series by focusing on two key zones: the processing zone (wash/dry) and the folding zone. He explains why vertical storage prevents bottlenecks, why detergents should usually stay in their original containers, and how to create a folding station that doesn’t interfere with servicing your machines. Smart layout beats pretty décor every time.Finally: Choosing paint colors for someone who is colorblind.Dan clears up myths about colorblindness (it’s rarely black-and-white vision) and explains how value, contrast, texture, and lighting matter more than hue. He offers practical design strategies and real-world examples to help homeowners make confident color decisions that work for everyone in the house.Resources Mentioned:
    1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNnCafjjgBw

    Episode Timeline:00:00 Welcome + What’s Coming Up (Colorblind Paint Picks & Laundry Room Upgrades)01:13 Why Caulking Matters Before You Paint02:33 Where to Caulk: Baseboards, Casings, Crown & Built-Ins04:22 Where NOT to Caulk: Nail Holes, Miters & Drywall Cracks06:21 Cabinet Door Trap: Floating Panels vs MDF (When Caulk Fails)07:39 Quick Sponsor Tip: Fast-Paint Caulk Deal (Tower Sealants Accelerator)08:19 Laundry Rooms Part 2: Processing Zone & Workflow Setup10:17 Use Vertical Space: Shelves, Hooks, Pegboard Above Machines11:45 Detergent Storage Reality Check: Don’t Decant (Safety, Instructions, Effectiveness)16:21 If You Must Decant: Do It Safely + Extra Storage Hacks (Doors, Carts, Tension Rods)19:18 Laundry Room Flow: Clear Counters & Create a Folding Zone21:59 Why Folding Elsewhere Breaks the System (Dining Table, Living Room, Dogs)24:49 DIY Folding Stations: Countertops for Front-Loaders & Hinged Options for Top-Loaders26:50 Don’t Build It In: Modular Counters, Machine Access & Water Hookups27:48 Air-Dry Solutions: Racks, Retractable Lines & Space-Saving Ideas29:23 Sponsor Break + Listener Question: Choosing Paint Colors for Colorblindness30:29 Colorblindness 101: Myths, Types, and How Common It Really Is34:37 Designing for Color Vision Deficiency: Value, Contrast, Texture, Lighting38:13 Real-World Example + Wrap-Up: Smarter Color Choices and Final Sign-Off
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    40 m
  • Laundry Room Organization Ideas That Actually Work (Plus How to Paint Rusty Metal Furniture)

    Laundry Room Organization Ideas That Actually Work (Plus How to Paint Rusty Metal Furniture)
    Feb 14 2026
    In this episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, Dan Hansen kicks things off with a sincere thank-you to listeners and a reminder that the show is always available as a podcast—perfect for catching up anytime.Then comes the embarrassing voicemail fiasco.What starts as a cringe-worthy personal story quickly turns into a surprisingly helpful lesson about home improvement: slow down, think things through, and don’t let small mistakes snowball into bigger problems. Dan breaks down how missteps—whether in communication or remodeling—can derail projects, and how a little preparation can save time, money, and frustration.From there, the episode tackles a common household pain point: the laundry room. Why does it become chaotic so easily? Dan explores how workflow design, sorting systems, and simple layout adjustments can dramatically improve efficiency. Whether you’re managing laundry for one person or a busy household, he shares practical strategies to prevent bottlenecks and keep the process moving.You’ll also hear advice on restoring rusty outdoor metal furniture—what to scrape, what to prime, and how to protect it properly—plus a lighthearted round of Valentine’s Day trivia to wrap things up.Practical. Relatable. A little embarrassing. And packed with usable advice.Episode Breakdown00:00 Welcome & Show Introduction 00:46 Listener Questions & What’s Ahead 01:31 The Voicemail Disaster 04:34 Lessons Learned: Avoiding Project Pitfalls 06:11 Staying on Track with Home Improvements 13:49 How to Paint & Protect Rusty Metal Furniture 18:27 Why Laundry Rooms Become Chaotic 23:08 Designing an Efficient Laundry Workflow 27:50 Sorting Systems That Actually Work 33:45 Smart Laundry Room Organization Tips 37:06 Valentine’s Day Trivia
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    39 m
  • Decluttering Sentimental Items and Choosing the Right Paint for Every Room

    Decluttering Sentimental Items and Choosing the Right Paint for Every Room
    Feb 7 2026
    In this episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, Dan Hansen opens with a lighthearted (and slightly embarrassing) personal story that sets the tone for a thoughtful, practical conversation about our homes—and the stuff we fill them with.The episode then moves into a deeper look at memory management: how to deal with boxes of kids’ artwork, baby clothes, photos, and other sentimental items without letting them quietly take over your house. Dan shares realistic, guilt-free strategies for deciding what to keep, what to let go, and how to preserve memories without drowning in clutter.From there, the focus shifts to Paint 101, breaking down how different paint products are designed for different jobs—and why understanding the “superpower” of each paint can make projects easier, faster, and better looking. Dan also tackles common frustrations people have when learning paint techniques, reminding listeners that confidence comes with understanding, not perfection.The episode wraps up with a Winter Wood Shop segment featuring the card scraper—a simple but powerful tool for wood finishing that often gets overlooked. Dan explains what it does, why it works, and how to use it properly.Blending humor, practical advice, and expert insight, this episode encourages listeners to take control of their spaces—both emotionally and physically—one manageable project at a time.Episode Timeline
    1. 00:00 – Introduction & an embarrassing moment in church
    2. 05:32 – Memory Management: why “stuff” becomes overwhelming
    3. 06:09 – Paint 101: understanding what paint is actually designed to do
    4. 06:42 – Winter Wood Shop: the underrated power of the card scraper
    5. 18:41 – Choosing the right paint for every room
    6. 19:12 – Personal paint advice and real-world lessons
    7. 19:57 – Why learning paint techniques feels harder than it should
    8. 21:43 – Paint finishes explained—and why they matter
    9. 23:29 – Why paint quality makes a real difference
    10. 25:33 – Matching paint products to real-life rooms
    11. 31:08 – Organizing kids’ artwork and memorabilia
    12. 35:20 – Dealing with sentimental items without guilt
    13. 38:46 – The challenge: start organizing today
    14. 39:35 – Final thoughts and wrap-up
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    40 m
  • Winter Home Projects: Beating the Blues and Organizing Memories

    Winter Home Projects: Beating the Blues and Organizing Memories
    Jan 31 2026
    In this episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, the conversation continues around organizing memories—this time shifting from digital clutter to physical photographs, with practical advice on how to curate, preserve, and store them without feeling overwhelmed.The show also explores the very real impact of the winter blues and why colder months can actually be an ideal time to tackle small home projects. We dig into the psychology behind why getting things done—especially around the home—can help improve mood, motivation, and a sense of control during the winter season.You’ll also hear practical tips for building a simple but smart emergency kit for an older vehicle, along with guidance on interior painting during winter. From managing humidity and temperature to working around forced-air heat and ventilation, the episode breaks down how to get professional-level results indoors—even in the middle of winter.Episode Timeline
    1. 00:00 Introduction & episode overview
    2. 00:47 Building a simple emergency car kit
    3. 08:20 Understanding and coping with the winter blues
    4. 12:09 Why home projects help your mental health
    5. 16:13 Small projects with surprisingly big impact
    6. 18:16 Behavioral activation: doing first, feeling better later
    7. 19:17 Interior painting in winter—what really matters
    8. 20:17 Common winter painting concerns (and why they’re manageable)
    9. 20:33 Why winter is actually a great time for indoor projects
    10. 21:17 Easier access to pros and resources in winter
    11. 22:12 Humidity, dry time, and paint performance
    12. 23:38 Temperature considerations when painting indoors
    13. 25:16 Forced-air heat and ceiling painting tips
    14. 26:41 Ventilation concerns and simple solutions
    15. 27:35 Winter painting tips recap
    16. 28:37 Organizing physical photographs
    17. 31:29 Step-by-step photo organization and digitizing
    18. 35:03 Creating a “greatest hits” photo collection
    19. 36:15 Long-term storage and backup strategies
    20. 38:26 Next week: organizing kids’ artwork
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    40 m
  • Conquering Digital Photo Clutter & Understanding Polyurethane

    Conquering Digital Photo Clutter & Understanding Polyurethane
    Jan 24 2026
    In this episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, Dan kicks things off with a lighthearted winter story before diving into two practical, surprisingly connected topics: organizing digital memories and choosing the right wood finish.The first half of the show tackles the growing stress of digital photo overload. Dan breaks down why our phones feel so cluttered, explains the critical difference between syncing and backing up photos, and outlines simple, realistic steps for freeing up storage while keeping important memories safe. Along the way, he introduces the “paradox of plenty” — why having fewer, more meaningful photos can actually help us enjoy our memories more.In the second half, the focus shifts back to the Winter Wood Shop with a deep but accessible look at lacquer and polyurethane. Dan explains how modern wood finishes evolved, the practical differences between oil-based and water-based polyurethane, and how recent VOC regulations have changed what’s available today. He also shares application tips, common mistakes to avoid, and why polyurethane remains one of the most versatile finishes for real-world woodworking projects.The episode wraps up by connecting good materials, good habits, and good outcomes — whether you’re protecting wood or preserving memories.RECOMMENDED READING & RESOURCESIf you want to go deeper, these articles and guides are clear and practical:Practical Guides for Photo Organization & Backup
    1. How to Organize and Protect Digital Photos (The Photo Managers) — A professional’s guide to consolidating, organizing, and backing up your entire library. How to Organize and Protect Digital Photos
    2. How To Organize And Back Up Digital Photos and Videos (DIY Playbook) — Practical steps for creating a “photo hub,” removing duplicates, and backing up to a cloud or hard drive. How to Organize and Back Up Digital Photos and Videos
    3. Step-by-Step Photo Storage Guide (Eyes The Limit) — A straightforward walk through sorting, backing up, and deleting unwanted photos, including folder and tagging tips. How to Organize Your Photo Storage: Step‑by‑Step Guide
    4. Apple Support — iCloud Photos & Optimize Storage — Official Apple instructions so you can see exactly how iCloud sync, optimize storage, and deletions work (and why synced photos are everywhere). Set up and Use iCloud Photos (Apple Support)

    Cloud & Phone Backup Basics
    1. Google Photos Help — Manage Storage & Cleanup — Official support from Google on how to manage storage, clean up large files, and understand what counting against storage means in Google Photos. Manage Your Storage (Google Photos Help)
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    40 m
  • From Pink Walls to Bug Juice: Real Painting Advice & the Wild Truth About Shellac

    From Pink Walls to Bug Juice: Real Painting Advice & the Wild Truth About Shellac
    Jan 17 2026
    In this episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, the conversation starts with a teaser from the Winter Wood Shop series—then takes a sharp turn into one of the most unexpected topics we’ve covered yet.The show opens with real-world painting questions from new homeowners, including whether dark paint really covers bright pink walls better, how to temporarily paint a tile kitchen backsplash, and what to consider when tackling large trim projects in older homes where lead paint may be present. Along the way, we break down how paint bases and primers actually work, why the order you choose colors matters, and when extra caution is required for health and safety.From there, the episode pivots into a surprisingly fascinating deep dive on shellac—what it is, how it’s used, and why it’s still relevant today. We explore both clear shellac and white pigmented shellac, its role in woodworking and finishing, and its long, strange history. That includes the origin story most people never hear: shellac’s connection to the lac bug, how it shows up in everyday products, and why it sometimes sparks debate in the vegan world.It’s a practical, informative episode with a twist—grounded in real home improvement advice, but ending with a topic you probably didn’t expect to hear on a painting show.Resources
    1. Make Your Own Shellac (Video)

    Episode Timeline00:00 — Introduction & Winter Wood Shop Teaser00:41 — Painting Questions from New Homeowners02:08 — Paint Coverage, Bases, and Primers Explained05:56 — Can You Paint a Tile Backsplash?08:31 — Lead Paint Concerns in Older Homes13:26 — Choosing Paint Colors in the Right Order17:49 — How RepcoLite Helps Homeowners Get It Right18:29 — Meet the Lac Bug19:18 — The Secret Life of Lac Bugs21:28 — Lac Bugs in Everyday Products24:49 — The Vegan Debate25:56 — From Bug Secretions to Shellac27:04 — Shellac in Woodworking32:15 — Shellac’s Historical Role35:58 — Modern Uses (and Limits) of Shellac39:04 — Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up
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    40 m