Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Building a home is an opportunity to slow down and make thoughtful choices that will shape your family’s everyday life for years to come. In this conversation, I’m joined by Ash of Turner Farm to talk through what it really looks like to build an unconventional home in a world of cookie cutter houses. We discuss choosing a smaller footprint, sourcing reclaimed materials, navigating healthy home considerations, and making peace with tradeoffs along the way. This episode offers perspective for anyone building, renovating, or dreaming of a home that feels like YOU.
In this episode, we cover:
- How Ash’s custom house build unfolded slowly over many years and why patience was the key in achieving her ideal vision
- Choosing a smaller home footprint to prioritize materials, craftsmanship, and long-term livability
- What sourcing reclaimed and salvaged materials really looks like in terms of time, cost, and flexibility
- Why self-contracting and hands-on involvement are often necessary for non-traditional builds
- The realities of building with wood, including movement, drying time, and embracing imperfection
- Weighing “healthy home” ideals against climate, budget, and everyday comfort
- Structural choices that support airflow, moisture control, and long-term durability
- Where antique or vintage-inspired elements work well — and where they create complications
- How simpler rooflines and layouts can prevent future moisture and maintenance issues
- Decisions Ash would repeat, and ones she’d rethink, when it comes to spending and saving
- The importance of trusting your vision and advocating for it throughout the build
- Accepting the inevitable “later list” and letting the home evolve over time
Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
Azure Standard is a family-owned company dedicated to providing you with high quality, affordable organic, natural, and non-GMO groceries, health, and household products. Place your order at azurestandard.com and use the code SIMPLE15 to receive 15% off your purchase. This promotion is only available for the first-time Azure customer order with a minimum of $100 order (orders to drop locations only). One time use per customer.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Explore EMF Solutions products designed to manage electromagnetic frequencies in your home emfsol.com
Check out the Sertado Copper Water Filtration System sertodo.com/collections/water-filter-systems/products/sertodo-copper-water-filter-system?variant=45694635770101
Shop BlockBlueLight for low-blue light bulbs that protect your circadian rhythm blockbluelight.com/collections/sleep-enhancing-lighting?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=17725287977&utm_content=&utm_term=&gadid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17716416670&gbraid=0AAAAACq4zrimphWWdRUhAYbeNrSKkiY6P&gclid=CjwKCAiAqKbMBhBmEiwAZ3UboCRjwboM44_RRvObShRz-ZrMjWgVKOaFjVQRZ4RCZhX9438nLqPIYxoCN54QAvD_BwE
Download Ash's new app, Sourdough School, for Apple and Android
Apple: apps.apple.com/ca/app/sourdough-school/id6757621335
Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bakingsourdough.www
Explore Ash’s sourdough classes turnerfarm.ca/collections/courses?srsltid=AfmBOorOsDucj1Z_nHOAXFOYhyv1b0tKQAvpan_RH_8M6fMVT57iw1Cs
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course bit.ly/simplesourdoughcourse
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series bit.ly/simplesewingcourse
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook homesteadliving.com/daily-sourdough/?utm_source=farmhouseonboone&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=SRD
CONNECT
Ash of Turner Farms
Website: turnerfarm.ca
Instagram: instagram.com/turner.farm/?hl=en
YouTube: turnerfarm.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/turnerfamilyfarm
Pinterest: ca.pinterest.com/ashturnerfarm
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone
Blog: farmhouseonboone.com
YouTube: youtube.com/c/FarmhouseonBoone
Instagram: instagram.com/farmhouseonboone
TikTok: tiktok.com/@farmhouseonboone
Facebook: facebook.com/farmhouseonboone
Pinterest: pinterest.com/farmhouseonboone/_created
GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE
Listen to this podcast episode: pod.link/1494284839/episode/ZGU2ZDIzOTItMDVmMS0xMWYxLTljMDQtMWI2OWI3MjRhMmIx
View full show notes on the blog: simplefarmhouselifepodcast.com/2026/02/10/house-build-reflections-what-worked-what-didnt-and-what-wed-change-ash-of-turner-farm-episode-328
Building a home is an opportunity to slow down and make thoughtful choices that will shape your family’s everyday life for years to come. In this conversation, I’m joined by Ash of Turner Farm to talk through what it really looks like to build an unconventional home in a world of cookie cutter houses. We discuss choosing a smaller footprint, sourcing reclaimed materials, navigating healthy home considerations, and making peace with tradeoffs along the way. This episode offers perspective for anyone building, renovating, or dreaming of a home that feels like YOU.
In this episode, we cover:
- How Ash’s custom house build unfolded slowly over many years and why patience was the key in achieving her ideal vision
- Choosing a smaller home footprint to prioritize materials, craftsmanship, and long-term livability
- What sourcing reclaimed and salvaged materials really looks like in terms of time, cost, and flexibility
- Why self-contracting and hands-on involvement are often necessary for non-traditional builds
- The realities of building with wood, including movement, drying time, and embracing imperfection
- Weighing “healthy home” ideals against climate, budget, and everyday comfort
- Structural choices that support airflow, moisture control, and long-term durability
- Where antique or vintage-inspired elements work well — and where they create complications
- How simpler rooflines and layouts can prevent future moisture and maintenance issues
- Decisions Ash would repeat, and ones she’d rethink, when it comes to spending and saving
- The importance of trusting your vision and advocating for it throughout the build
- Accepting the inevitable “later list” and letting the home evolve over time
Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
Azure Standard is a family-owned company dedicated to providing you with high quality, affordable organic, natural, and non-GMO groceries, health, and household products. Place your order at azurestandard.com and use the code SIMPLE15 to receive 15% off your purchase. This promotion is only available for the first-time Azure customer order with a minimum of $100 order (orders to drop locations only). One time use per customer.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Explore EMF Solutions products designed to manage electromagnetic frequencies in your home emfsol.com
Check out the Sertado Copper Water Filtration System sertodo.com/collections/water-filter-systems/products/sertodo-copper-water-filter-system?variant=45694635770101
Shop BlockBlueLight for low-blue light bulbs that protect your circadian rhythm blockbluelight.com/collections/sleep-enhancing-lighting?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=17725287977&utm_content=&utm_term=&gadid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17716416670&gbraid=0AAAAACq4zrimphWWdRUhAYbeNrSKkiY6P&gclid=CjwKCAiAqKbMBhBmEiwAZ3UboCRjwboM44_RRvObShRz-ZrMjWgVKOaFjVQRZ4RCZhX9438nLqPIYxoCN54QAvD_BwE
Download Ash's new app, Sourdough School, for Apple and Android
Apple: apps.apple.com/ca/app/sourdough-school/id6757621335
Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bakingsourdough.www
Explore Ash’s sourdough classes turnerfarm.ca/collections/courses?srsltid=AfmBOorOsDucj1Z_nHOAXFOYhyv1b0tKQAvpan_RH_8M6fMVT57iw1Cs
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course bit.ly/simplesourdoughcourse
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series bit.ly/simplesewingcourse
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook homesteadliving.com/daily-sourdough/?utm_source=farmhouseonboone&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=SRD
CONNECT
Ash of Turner Farms
Website: turnerfarm.ca
Instagram: instagram.com/turner.farm/?hl=en
YouTube: turnerfarm.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/turnerfamilyfarm
Pinterest: ca.pinterest.com/ashturnerfarm
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone
Blog: farmhouseonboone.com
YouTube: youtube.com/c/FarmhouseonBoone
Instagram: instagram.com/farmhouseonboone
TikTok: tiktok.com/@farmhouseonboone
Facebook: facebook.com/farmhouseonboone
Pinterest: pinterest.com/farmhouseonboone/_created
GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE
Listen to this podcast episode: pod.link/1494284839/episode/ZGU2ZDIzOTItMDVmMS0xMWYxLTljMDQtMWI2OWI3MjRhMmIx
View full show notes on the blog: simplefarmhouselifepodcast.com/2026/02/10/house-build-reflections-what-worked-what-didnt-and-what-wed-change-ash-of-turner-farm-episode-328
