Home Stratosphere

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Discuss all things home and garden related including design, bad design, furniture, home decor, decorating, storage and more.

Rachel Presser

  • Feb 20, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
  • monthly NEW EPISODES
  • 12m AVG DURATION
  • 56 EPISODES


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Latest episodes from Home Stratosphere

Would You Live In an Apartment That Used to Be a Mall?

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2021 11:40


As malls continue to die out and get repurposed if not demolished, one of those purposes is now housing. One of the oldest malls in America, the Providence Arcade in Rhode Island, was transformed into 48 micro-apartments.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

The U-Shaped Kitchen's Government-Funded Evolution

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2021 13:05


Once upon a time, the Department of Agriculture was actually very concerned about how people used the space they inhabited. Here’s the role that this obscure bureau played in the U-shaped kitchen and how it got implemented in homes built after the postwar housing boom.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Clean Your Air Conditioner Filters For Crying Out Loud

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2020 17:49


Air conditioners and COVID-19 don't make a good mix. But when you know that this pandemic just isn’t going away any time soon, it's important to consider how AC filters play a big role in respiratory health. We spoke with Dave Indursky at Encon, to get his advice on keeping air conditioner filters and systems clean!Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Quarantine Baking Part 2: There’s No F$%*ing Flour and Yeast, Now What?

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2020 12:00


As epidemiologists tell us to stay indoors to help “flatten the curve,” it’s incredibly difficult to find bread at almost any store. But if you also can’t find flour, yeast, and other components at your grocery store or online, it's time to get creative.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

How Will Urban Planning and Home Design Change in the Aftermath of COVID-19?

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2020 10:15


There’s much speculation about how the world will be different when the worst of the pandemic is over. But in terms of housing, how we use our homes, and how urban planning affects our lives? Coming at you from the eye of the storm in New York, I’m going to call upon my observations about the real estate world (the short version: it’s a hot mess right now!) and how urban planners who’ve lived through COVID-19 will plot communities in the future alongside home builders.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Adjusting to Working at Home Under COVID-19

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2020 11:46


Here are some tips on how you can adapt to telework or work at home during the COVID-19 pandemic and not go completely bonkers.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

What You Need to Know Before Buying an Espresso Machine

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2020 10:56


An espresso machine can be a really fun and attainable kind of luxury that can give you the perfect shot (assuming you use it correctly!) without having to leave the house for it if you don’t have any European-style coffee shops near you. Just carefully consider how much ongoing cleaning and maintenance you’ll have to do, and if the cost is really worth it relative to how much espresso you drink on a regular basis.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Breadmaking in the Age of Quarantine

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2020 12:43


Running out of food supplies? Try breadmaking while in quarantine. It will not only provide your family with enough food but it will also help you to de-stress and escape panic and depression.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

What If You Just Bought a Plot of Land and Built a Home?

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2020 13:38


Buying a plot of land and building the home of your dreams sound exciting but is it feasible? Let us help you crack the code. Find out the benefits and drawbacks of building a home from scratch and see if it is really worth it.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Adjusting to Frequent Cooking at Home Under Coronavirus Quarantine

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2020 11:44


We’re living in crisis times, but you also don’t have anywhere to go but home right now. So if you’re in my boat and still dependent on Grubhub but cash or the available restaurants are running out, here’s how you can adjust without risking a call to the fire department.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Houses and Home Design in Video Games: Banal Fantasy Fulfillment

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2020 13:40


Here's a highlight of a few games about home design, home building, and related concepts that you might want to check out, but also some concepts of game development and how developers tend to view them. The way that game developers feature homes in games not only says things about the developer, but also about how the player processes it.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

You Want to Sell But Still Need a Place to Live: How Does Home Sale Contingency Work?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2020 14:23


Home sale contingencies present a lot of risk to buyers and sellers alike so we here's what you need to know about having to do a home sale contingency as a buyer, and what could possibly come up if you’re selling your home but your buyer has to do a home sale contingency.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Floating Chairs and Texas McMansions: A Match Made in Hell

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2020 12:03


Take a look at this Texas McMansion with a one of a kind kitchen showcasing dozens of floating chairs. Yeah, as strange as it sounds and by judging at its looks, these bizarre chairs are something your eyes may take or may not. You be the judge.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Is a Stand Mixer a Good Investment?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2020 11:26


Stand mixers and other high-end appliances have become a Millennial symbol of stability since homeownership is often out of reach. If your culinary needs entail lots of dishes calling for a whisk, dough hook, or beaters, a stand mixer could be an excellent investment. You don’t have to wait to get one anymore, either.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Are Separate Bedrooms Becoming a Thing?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2020 13:53


Real estate trends reveal an increasing demand for separate main beds or bedrooms for married couples. If your partner’s snoring has been making you lose sleep, or you just want the bed to yourself again, it could be worth examining the pros and cons of this rising trend in separate bedrooms.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

The Ugly History of Homeowners’ Associations

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2020 11:00


If you’re wondering how these often irksome and overreaching organizations became so ubiquitous, your answer is found in the height of segregation and redlining during, and predating, the civil rights movement of the 1960s.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

How Does European Home Design Differ From American Homes?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2020 13:06


We tackle the various differences between a European home design and an American home design so you can decide which home design suits your needs better.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

What Makes East Asian Home Design Different From American Styles?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2020 14:08


Let us take a look at some East Asian home design and see how they differ from American styles. Learn about the dimensions of their homes versus their population along with a glimpse of their culture and lifestyle.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

The Funky Designs Of Roche Bobois

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2020 13:33


Today, with over 250 stores and showrooms around the globe, Roche Bobois remains a world leader in luxury furniture and home goods. So it turned out I was wrong in my supposition that this place full of honeycomb-shaped couches and dining room tables that looked more like photo shoot props than something most people would eat off of, was an independent shop.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Are You ACTUALLY Going to Hop to Those Home Improvements in 2020?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2020 10:51


Is 2020 the year you’re actually going to make that home improvement you’ve been waiting for? Take a breather and pause for a moment to reflect on the list of variables that's held you back in the past year from taking on that massive undertaking. When everything's been cleared out, you just might find yourself one step closer to the dream home you always wanted.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Move Over, Gaming Chairs: Gaming BEDS Have Arrived!

Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2020 13:46


Level up your gaming experience with the revolutionary gaming bed which allows you to play the second you wake up. Equipped with a comfortable bed, elevated headboard, movable snack shelves, and more. Now, who would rather want a gaming chair?Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

No, the Sad Bachelor/Bachelorette Apartment is Not a Thing

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2020 13:46


Whether you're in a relationship or not, there are major perks to living alone. Yup, even if in long term relationship. Conventional? Nope, but you just might be persuaded after reading this unconventional view toward co-habiting.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Are Smart Bathrooms Next in the Invasive Smart Home Tech Craze?

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2020 12:04


From showers to toilets, smart bathrooms are looking more like the next frontier when it comes to smart home technology. Now we can be spied on even when we're just doing our own business.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

The Art of Avoiding Aspirational Home Goods

Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2020 13:25


Most homeowners dream of turning their homes into a real-life Pinterest picture board without taking into consideration how professionals put them together. So here's some quick dose of a reality check to keep you from diving into an impulse purchase.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Plumbing Emergencies When You Can’t Get a Plumber Over

Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2020 20:39


So what do you do if you can’t get a plumber over to the house and something goes horribly wrong? I interviewed Joe Wood of Boston Standard Plumbing to find out.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

A Primer in How to Get Rid of Your Clutter for CASH!

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2020 13:57


Kickstart the new year right by turning your clutter into cash. Check out these handy tips that will not just help you get rid of things you no longer use but also get paid for doing so.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Just How Crazily Decorated is the Dr. Phil House?

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2020 10:59


Pop psychologist Dr. Phil listed a home in Beverly Hills for sale that's causing quite a stir on the internet. This outrageous house can be all yours for a little under $6 million.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

The Fun and Curious History of Crate & Barrel

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2020 14:50


How did it come to be a brand that people aspire to shop from yet is still accessible? How is Crate & Barrel still holding up in a world where cheap and disposable is king because American incomes and spending power are declining? Let’s dive right into one of those sigh-inducing bedroom displays and find out.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Are Home Spa Products a Total Waste of Money?

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2020 13:44


As much as we want to pamper ourselves with a spa experience everyday right in our bathrooms, home spa products just might not do the trick. You're better off just saving your money to indulge in the real thing occasionally.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Cartoon Houses and the Wave of Pop-Ups: Are We Ready to Leave the 90s Behind?

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2020 13:06


While some of us in the lucky few get our dream homes, getting to decorate is a major perk, despite the additional expense and stress involved. But it does make us beg the question of whether we’d like to relive some of our childhood experiences through design principles, or even copying directly from the homes seen in the media we consumed.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

How Does Pet Insurance Work and is it Worth It?

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2020 12:10


Some people look into pet insurance to help them offset future vet bills. But while it's there to give you peace of mind, pet insurance works a little differently than home insurance and health insurance for humans.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Is It OK for Google to Know All Your Secrets? Ins and Outs of Smart Home Systems

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2020 14:12


Smart home systems don't just bring conveniences to one's home but also an intense amount of spying. So let’s dive into the nuances of smart home tech, how it got to this point, and why you would or wouldn’t want these devices in your home.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Toaster Oven, Convection Oven, Real Oven, I Probably Charred Something In It

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2020 13:40


You can be assured there's a logical explanation of why your food may still end up charred no matter which oven you pop it in. We'll look into the science of that as well as help you determine which type of oven best suits your needs.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

You Laugh at Gamer Chairs, But Your Back Will Thank You

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2020 10:10


The thought of including a gaming chair to your home might be revolting for some, but if you have back problems, or want to prevent them from developing, and work at home, you’ll definitely want to furnish your home office with one.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Home Design and Setup Tips for Short People, By a Short Person

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2020 12:44


Short people need more universal home design, not stepladders. It’s great to see universal design principles being incorporated in newer homebuilding, but since older homes are more plentiful and cheaper to buy and rent, this is how we make it work.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Reusable Sandwich Bags: Win or Fail?

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2020 12:01


If you’ve been pondering dropping some bones for a whole set of reusable food storage bags, Rachel Presser shares her thoughts on the matter now that she's been using them for a couple of weeks.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Home Decor and Design Considerations if You Have an Exotic Pet

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2020 12:31


There are some special considerations you should take note of to make yours and your exotic pet's lives better. Give your warty, feathery, or scaly baby plenty of room to explore and a safe, comfortable habitat so you’ll have many happy years together!Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

The Critics Are Wrong: Electric Ranges Rule, Gas Stoves Drool

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2020 10:10


Don't believe the hype against electric stoves. They don't suck and they're no worse than gas stoves at all. We bring you the lowdowns on why we think converting to electric can be smart.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

The Difference Between Extreme Minimalism and Just Getting Rid of Stuff

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2020 9:19


Spot the difference between extreme minimalism and just getting rid of stuff by getting right into the heart of minimalism, understanding the disorder of obsessive spartanism, and discovering what it really means to keep something that sparks joy.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Why Millennials Need to Kill Lawns Next

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2020 10:58


As if Millennials need any more convincing, here are more reasons to consider why it's economical and conscientious to ditch the lawn for more practical things should Millennials decide to settle down and own a house.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Addressing Accessibility in Home Design (Important Considerations)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2020 10:25


Home accessibility is a very important issue today. While it definitely applies to people with disabilities, it also encompasses elderly folks with limited mobility and people with young kids. This article sets out important home accessibility considerations.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

What’s Up With Sea-Themed Bathrooms Anyway?

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2020 11:31


Seafoam green walls, seashell shower hooks, and starfish accessories -- we've all been in and out such sea-themed bathrooms. But when did this craze start and why does it persist?Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

The War Between Prewar Buildings and Modern Construction in NYC

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2020 11:46


Maybe because the Big Apple is plagued with scant housing, New Yorkers are torn on the raging war between pre-war buildings and modern construction in the city. Or maybe, both are just as bad.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Your Gift Guide for Tea Drinkers: Appliances & Accessories

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2020 14:03


If you’re a coffee drinker who’s not sure what to get the tea drinker in your life or are thinking about diving into the tea realm yourselves, you won’t want to miss this guide for the best tea-making gifts this holiday season!Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

5 Kitchen Gadget Fads Through the Ages (Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2020 11:23


Rachel Presser does it again. With biting wit, she sets out 5 kitchen gadget fads through the ages that were popular and seemed like a good idea at the time but now nobody really cares about or uses except for a few diehard fans.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Should I Use a Broker to Sell My Home?

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2020 10:23


Thinking of selling your home but can't decide if you should call up a broker or save the commission by going the FSBO route? We help you weigh your options.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

Painting vs. Wallpapering: Costs, Aesthetics, and Trying Your Patience

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2020 11:28


Let go of plain old white and bring some color into your life by changing the wall colors of your room. Weigh out your options between painting and wallpapering to find the one that suits you best.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

How to Choose the Right Fridge for Your Home

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2020 11:22


How many times per day do you open your fridge? If you're like me, it's a lot. Not to mention that it serves the all-important function of storing and preserving food. This makes it doubly important to choose the right fridge. Find out what you need to know about buying the right fridge here.Read full post at Home Stratosphere.

The Ups and Downs of Decorating Your Home Out of TJ Maxx & Marshall’s

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2019 14:10


TJ Maxx & Marshalls were the unrivaled off-prices stores long before Amazon, IKEA, or Target came into the scene. With the spread of retailers selling everything from home goods to furnishings, is it still worth dropping into these TJ Maxx & Marshalls?Read the full post at Home Stratosphere.

Hideous Glass Luxury Condos Are a Chancre Upon This City (NYC)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2019 10:15


Are glass luxury condos ruining cities? I think so and I explain here why I believe they are an eye-sore in addition to causing many other problems in cities worldwide.Read the full article at Home Stratosphere

The Home Bar Phenomenon and Building Your Own Libation Station

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2019 9:59


Opinion piece of the home bar phenomenon and what's involved in building your own libation station including how much it costs and tips for getting the right bar for your drinking needs.

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