Simple Farmhouse Life Podcast Ep. 328

House Build Reflections: What Worked, What Didn’t, and What We’d Change | with Ash of Turner Farm
Release Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Lisa Bass
Guest: Ash (Ashley Turner) of Turner Farm

Episode Overview

In this episode, Lisa Bass welcomes back Ashley Turner of Turner Farm—not for a conversation about sourdough, but a deep-dive into the journey of custom homebuilding. They discuss the realities, challenges, and rewards of building a home with character, using unconventional and "healthy home" methods and salvaged materials. Both women share practical insights, reflections on what they’d do the same or differently, and useful tips for anyone considering or fascinated by non-standard homebuilding.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Home Build Journey: Vision and Timeline

• Intention vs. Reality: Ash shares that they originally bought their property with no intention of building a new home. As their farm and family needs grew, the idea evolved over nearly a decade ([06:22], [08:11]).
  • "I think I've kind of been building this house in my brain for like a decade. But no, that was not the plan." – Ash [06:22]
• Location Matters: The decision to build on top of a hill came after a neighbor’s input and visiting the site ([06:29]).
  • "He sent us a picture and said, 'if you're going to build your new house anywhere, it needs to be at the top of this hill.'" – Ash [06:29]
• Unconventional, Healthy, Non-Cookie-Cutter: Both Lisa and Ash intentionally sought a house with character, opting out of "builder grade" choices and investing in details to make their homes feel older and more authentic ([03:02], [10:44]).

Design & Sacrifices: How Style, Size & Budget Intersect

• Sacrificing Size for Features: Ash notes that to afford unique, higher-quality, or healthier elements, they reduced the size of the house ([09:05]):
  • “Our house is not very big and we made it smaller in order to do the unorthodox things inside that cost more money.” – Ash [09:05]
• Simple Shapes, Grand Looks: Although the house is essentially a "box," exterior timber features and overhangs give a grand, cozy, cabin-like feel ([10:44], [12:24]).
  • "People think you live in a mansion… but the actual footprint of the house is small.” – Lisa [10:44]; Ash [10:55]

Sourcing Salvaged, Old, or Custom Materials

• Finding 'The Guy': Ash tracked down unique wood and flooring by connecting with a local salvager, a relationship years in the making ([18:59], [19:12], [19:55]).
• Timeline Extended: Sourcing and preparing reclaimed materials takes time—floors alone set them back seven weeks ([14:32]).
• DIY to Save Money: To stay on budget, Ash and her family refinished their flooring themselves, learning along the way ([15:22]).
  • “We’re gonna YouTube this and do it ourselves. And it was hilarious. But that’s what really set us back.” – Ash [15:22]
• Patience and Flexibility: The process is slow, sometimes requiring multiple sources and waiting for enough materials ([19:55]).

Building for Health: ‘Healthy Home’ Strategies & Compromises

• Wood, Drying, and Natural Off-Gassing: They used as much real wood as possible, allowing time for off-gassing, and chose not to use kiln-dried paneling to stay authentic and budget-friendly ([21:13], [25:09]).
  • “When you have wood paneling on the walls...your house can breathe…your HVAC system pulls out the moisture.” – Ash [21:13]
• Letting Imperfection Shine: Gaps, cupping, and non-uniformity signal real materials and give character—a feature, not a flaw ([25:26], [27:41]).
  • “I just. I am not a uniform person. Nothing about the house that we’re in is uniform.” – Ash [28:42]
• Climate and Comfort vs. Purism: Health-perfect isn’t always practical. For instance, spray foam insulation was used due to severe weather, but allowed to off-gas for nearly a year before moving in ([44:55]–[49:06]).
  • “You have to consider your own comfort in your house too. I think there’s a health perspective to that.” – Ash [46:04]
• Simple Rooflines for Mold Prevention: Simple, square houses with straightforward rooflines minimize moisture risks and simplify healthy design ([41:31]–[42:49]).

Lighting, Water, and Air: Priorities for Wellness

• Lighting: Incandescent bulbs everywhere for circadian health, regret over including can lights due to builder pressure ([61:31]).
• Water: Full water testing to decide WHAT filtration (or softening) is actually needed, with a focus on drinking, showering, and healthy fermentation ([55:14], [57:53]).
  • “For a few hundred bucks you can just have peace of mind to know what you should be investing your money in rather than just listening to people on the Internet.” – Ash [55:14]
  • Ash uses a Certado copper + ceramic filter for drinking water ([60:25]).
• Air: HEPA air filtration and UV lights in the HVAC to address dust, mold, and VOCs. Crucially, a slow build allows for natural off-gassing ([48:09], [61:05]).

EMFs and ‘Dirty Electricity’: Advanced Health Considerations

• Electric Meter Placement: Placed well away from the house to mitigate electrical “noise” ([49:14]).
• Wired Internet: No WiFi, hardwired Ethernet instead; additional products to ‘harmonize’ EMFs, particularly with a metal roof ([50:21]).
• Mechanical Systems: Ceiling fans should not be close to beds due to sub-chaotic frequencies; harmonization products suggested ([51:05]).
• Stress Relief: Don’t drive yourself crazy—perfection is impossible. Stress about health can be as damaging as anything else ([54:35]).
  • “Stress is probably the worst...you do what you can, and then you have to give it to God.” – Ash [54:35]

Budget-Friendly and Regret-Minimizing Tips

• Closet Systems: Save money with IKEA wardrobes, then modify to fit and look custom ([33:50]).
• Lighting & Fixtures: Be careful with imported or antique light fixtures/faucets—may not meet code or function as needed ([34:31], [37:36]).
  • “There was a lot that showed up that didn’t even fit in our plugs.” – Ash [35:52]
  • Avoid antique in-wall plumbing for risk of leaks and water damage ([38:04], [40:42]).
• Intentional Splurges: Worth investing in elements that can't easily be changed later—ex. beautiful (and expensive) oven, windows, flooring—but know that some items can be upgraded over time ([74:23], [77:23]).

The Process is Messy and Personal

• Navigating trades who aren't used to irregular methods requires advocacy and constant site presence ([70:22]).
  • “You’re pushing back a lot..._builders being like, 'Well, that’s not how it’s done.'...You have to be willing.” – Ash [73:04]
• Plan for Years, Not Weeks: Gathering materials, refining the vision, and saving for costly items is a process of years ([74:23]).
  • “We bought my oven...sat in storage for two and a half years.” – Ash [74:23]

Lasting Perspective and Community

• No Regret-Free Home: Something will always get missed, or priorities will shift with time—a running “list” for finishing touches is normal ([76:30], [78:00]).
  • “There’s always a list. And when you’re building a house, you always go over budget, and so things get put on a list because you just can’t do it all.” – Ash [77:23]
• Resources: Ash is considering creating and selling a guide (plans + materials) for others wanting to take an unorthodox path ([68:22]).
• Support & Sharing: Both Lisa and Ash emphasize sharing the process—the good, the frustrating, and the lessons learned—as a way to help others not feel alone or discouraged.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Our house is not very big and we made it smaller in order to do the unorthodox things inside that cost more money.”
— Ash [09:05]

“I found a guy, and he tore...that was what he did for a living, is he tore down old buildings and salvaged the wood.”
— Ash [19:15]

“When you have wood paneling on the walls...your house can breathe…your HVAC system works within your walls..."
— Ash [21:13]

“Nothing about the house that we’re in is uniform...that’s just who I am. And I do think I have to preface that with people.”
— Ash [28:42]

“I did not want to be in a giant house. So it made sense for us to build a cuter, smaller home, but make it look really grand from the outside.”
— Ash [10:58]

“When you are building these healthy homes, there needs to be a balance…you have to also think about how you feel in the space.”
— Ash [21:55]

“Do what you can, and then you have to kind of give it to God a little bit, because...stress will make you sick.”
— Ash [54:35]

“You have to really trust your process...it’s not a builder grade kitchen and nobody really knows what to do with that.”
— Ash [31:40]

“You’re going to be very involved. You can’t hand it over to somebody who does standard builds and just expect them to go find that reclaimed flooring from the floor guy.”
— Lisa [71:01]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction and Guest Re-introduction [02:16]
• How the Build Started, Finding the Location [04:44] [06:22]
• Design, Intentional Style and Size Tradeoffs [09:05]
• Exterior Timbers and Visual Tricks [10:44] [12:24]
• Sourcing Salvaged Wood, Floors, and Walls [14:31] [19:12] [21:13]
• Drying, Gapping, and 'Real' Wood Details [25:09] [27:41]
• Healthy Home Elements: Mold, Rooflines, Air & Water [41:31] [44:55] [48:41] [55:28]
• Lighting, EMFs, and Electrical Placement [49:14] [50:21] [61:31]
• Closet Systems, Lighting & Plumbing "What Not to Do" [33:50] [34:31] [37:36]
• The Builder Relationship & Constant Advocacy [70:22]
• Big Purchases: The Stove, Windows, and What’s Always Left for Later [74:23]
• Emotional Resilience & Being Realistic [76:30]
• Plans and Resources Coming for Others [68:22]

Where to Find More

• Ash’s Instagram: @turner.farm — includes saved highlights and details on the build and her sourdough classes.
• Lisa Bass/Farmhouse on Boone: farmhouseonboone.com
• Turner Farm Sourdough Classes: In-person on the farm, plus online options—check Ash’s Instagram for links.
• Mentioned Resources: Certado water filter, EMF Solutions, Blue Light Block/Block Light (lighting), IKEA (for closets), local mills and salvage contacts.

Closing Takeaways

Building a home with historic character, health in mind, and personal touches takes time, patience, research, and constant hands-on involvement. Both Lisa and Ash emphasize the value of resilience, intentional compromise, and the joy—and occasional stress—of a truly custom process. Expect to make mistakes, live with some “quirks,” and always have a running list of improvements, but the reward is a house that genuinely feels like home.

Summary compiled from full episode transcript and structured to serve as a rich guide for listeners and future homebuilders who want to go off the beaten path.