Designing and Building Mid-Illinois with Big Dog Construction
Welcome to Designing and Building Mid-Illinois with Big Dog Construction. The podcast you didn't know you needed. Join Chris Hartsook and Kaitlin Borgini as we explore the stories, expertise and projects shaping the future right here in Mid-Illinois. Whether you're planning to build, curious about the latest trends or just love innovative ideas, we've got insights and inspiration coming your way. And some laughs too.
Episodes
43 episodes
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realtor segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros, What Realtors Wished Consumers Knew
SummaryIn this conversation, Chris, Kaitlin, and Lisa discuss the often misunderstood role of real estate agents, emphasizing the importance of communication, emotional support, and expert guidance in the buying and selling proces...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois with Special Guest, Beni Harmony, Part 2
SummaryPart 2 of this engaging conversation, Beni Harmony shares stories from her time in D.C. as a White House Correspondent. Check out last week's episode detailing her transition from Central Illinois to Washington D.C. &...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realtor segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros featuring Sam Dixon
SummaryIn this episode, Sam Dixon from Lange Title joins Chris, Lisa, and Lydia to discuss the intricacies of the closing process in real estate transactions. She shares her journey from banking to title work, explaining the roles...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois with Special Guest, Beni Harmony Part 1
SummaryPart 1 of this engaging conversation, Beni Harmony shares her journey from local journalism in Central Illinois to becoming a White House correspondent. The discussion delves into the challenges she faced in the media indus...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realtor segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros
SummaryIn this engaging realtor segment, Chris and Kaitlin with Lisa and Lydia from First Choice Realty Pros share a mix of spooky stories, funny encounters, and valuable insights from their experiences in real estate. They discus...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Kitchen Refresh vs Kitchen Gut
SummaryIn this episode, Chris and Kaitlin discuss the critical decision homeowners face when considering a kitchen remodel: whether to refresh the existing kitchen with cosmetic updates or to undertake a complete gut renovation. T...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realtor segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros: First Time Homebuyer Regrets
SummaryIn this episode, Chris, Kaitlin, Lisa, and Lydia discuss the journey of first-time home buyers, highlighting common regrets, the importance of location, financial considerations, and the emotional aspects of buying a home. ...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois through Avoiding Curb Confusion
SummaryIn this episode, Chris and Kaitlin discuss the critical aspects of curb appeal and how to avoid curb confusion when designing the exterior of a home. They emphasize the importance of having a cohesive design plan that consi...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realtor segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros: All about Loans
SummaryIn this conversation, Chris, Kaitlin and guest Lisa Miller discuss the intricacies of the mortgage process, focusing on the role of Brooke Drum, a mortgage loan officer. They explore various topics including the current mar...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois through Deciding DIY vs Hiring a Pro
SummaryIn this episode, Chris and Kaitlin discuss the pros and cons of DIY home improvement projects versus hiring professionals. They explore the risks associated with DIY, emphasizing the importance of knowing when to call in ex...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realtor segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros
SummaryIn this engaging conversation, Chris, Kaitlin, Lisa Miller, and Lydia Emmons discuss the challenges of balancing a real estate career with family life in a small town. They explore the chaos of managing multiple schedules, ...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois through The Big Dog Game Plan Part 2
SummaryIn this episode of the Designing Building podcast, hosts Chris and Kaitlin delve into the intricacies of setting a remodeling budget, emphasizing the importance of realistic planning to avoid common pitfalls. They continue ...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realtor segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros
SummaryIn this episode of the Realtor Segment, Chris, Kaitlin, Lisa, and Lydia discuss the current dynamics of the real estate market, emphasizing the shift from a seller's frenzy to a more selective buyer's market. They explore t...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois through The Big Dog Game Plan Part 1
SummaryIn this episode of Designing and Building Mid-Illinois, Chris and Kaitlin discuss the essential steps for planning a successful home remodel. They emphasize the importance of clarity before cost, building a realistic budget...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realtor segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros
SummaryIn this episode, Chris Hartsook discusses the comprehensive process of listing a home with real estate experts Lisa Miller and Lydia Emmons. They emphasize the importance of treating a home like a product, focusing on prese...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois through Revisiting Energy Efficient Windows
SummaryIn this episode of Designing and Building Mid-Illinois, hosts Chris Hartsook and Kaitlin Borgini Trader discuss the often-overlooked importance of windows in home improvement. They explore the best times to evaluate windows...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realtor segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros: Tips for Home Buyers
SummaryIn this episode of Designing and Building Mid-Illinois, Chris Hartsook discusses the essential steps for home buyers with Lisa Miller and Lydia Emmons from First Choice Realty Pros. The conversation covers the importance of...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois featuring Robert Ferriell and the Power of the 10X Business Summit
SummaryIn this dual drop of Elevate Springfield and Designing and Building Mid-Illinois One Home at a Time, Robert Ferriell and Chris Hartsook discuss the 10X Business Summit in Fort Lauderdale. They explore the significance of th...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realty segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros: 10 Tips for home sellers
SummaryIn this conversation, Chris and Kaitlin welcome back Lisa and Lydia from 1st Choice Realty Pros to discuss essential tips for home sellers in the mid-Illinois area. They cover various topics, including the importance of fir...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Health and Wellness Starts at Home
SummaryIn this episode, the hosts discuss the critical aspects of health and wellness within the home environment. They emphasize that a home is not just a physical structure but a space that significantly impacts our health and w...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Introducing our New Realty Segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros
SummaryIn this episode of Designing and Building Mid-Illinois, hosts Chris and Kaitlin welcome Lisa Miller and Lydia Emmons from 1stChoice Realty Pros. They discuss their journeys into real estate, the unique aspects of their agen...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois featuring Crystal Rivali from Willow Lane Spa
SummaryIn this episode, Chris and Kaitlin sit down with Crystal Rivali, the owner of Willow Lane Spa, to explore her journey in the aesthetics industry, the services offered at her spa, and the importance of skincare and wellness....
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: 2026 Trends from Sustainable Materials to Multi-generational Homes
SummaryIn this episode, Chris and Kaitlin explore the top remodeling trends for 2026, focusing on sustainable materials and multi-generational designs. They discuss the importance of eco-friendly choices in home renovations, such ...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: What a Contractor Notices in the First 60 Seconds of Walking into Your Home
SummaryIn this episode, the Chris and Kaitlin discuss the key observations contractors make when entering a home for the first time. They cover various aspects such as the condition of windows, overall maintenance, flooring issues...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois with a Spring Home Refresh
SummaryIn this episode, the hosts discuss spring home updates, focusing on windows, decks, siding, and bathroom refreshes. They share expert tips on energy-efficient upgrades, maintenance, and DIY projects to enhance your home's b...