What makes a home truly work for the people living in it? And how do you know when a renovation is worth the investment?

On this episode of MIC Hamptons, Michael Petersohn sits down with Katherine Serrano-Sosa, founder of Rooted Architecture Studio, to talk about the decisions that shape great homes, from renovations and new construction to thoughtful design that supports everyday living.

Katherine shares her journey from growing up around construction sites to building her own architecture firm, and why she believes good design should be about much more than appearances.

They also get into what makes designing homes in the Hamptons unique, which renovations can add value, why not every home needs an open floor plan, and the importance of planning before construction begins.

Whether you're buying, building, renovating, or simply love architecture and real estate, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on creating spaces that feel as good as they look.

In this episode:

• Katherine's journey into architecture and entrepreneurship
• What makes Hamptons home design different
• Renovating versus building from scratch
• Design decisions that can improve functionality and resale value
• Why indoor-outdoor living continues to matter
• The importance of thoughtful planning before construction
• How architects, interior designers, and contractors collaborate

Connect with Katherine:

Rooted Architecture Studio
Instagram: @rooted_architecture
Website: https://rootedarchitecturestudio.com

Connect with MIC Hamptons:

Hosted by Michael Petersohn of Brown Harris Stevens
Presented with support from Flying Point Media Group https://www.flyingpointli.com/ and Hamptons Networking Group
https://hngli.com

Subscribe to MIC Hamptons for conversations with the professionals shaping business, real estate, and life across the Hamptons and Long Island.

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Katherine Serrano-Sosa
00:55 From Construction Sites to Architecture
03:05 Building an Architecture Business
04:20 The Value of Bilingual Communication
06:10 Residential and Commercial Design
07:10 Collaborating with Interior Designers
08:05 Designing Homes in the Hamptons
09:50 Renovations, Restorations & New Builds
13:15 When Renovating Isn't Worth It
14:35 What Makes a Project Successful?
15:45 Renovations That Add Home Value
17:15 A Unique Commercial Design Project
19:10 Architecture Rapid Fire
22:15 Advice Before Building or Renovating
24:10 The Boutique Architecture Approach
25:10 Relationships and HNG Collaboration
26:15 Connect with Rooted Architecture Studio

What do squatters, business contracts, ancient property rights, and a bottle of Sag Harbor champagne have in common? They're all part of this week's conversation on Mic Hamptons.

Host Mike Petersohn sits down with Chad Briedis, attorney with Van Cott Ebrahimi P.C. to talk about the legal side of living, buying property, and doing business in the Hamptons.

Chad shares some of the biggest mistakes he sees new business owners make, why buying real estate on the East End is a team effort, and how a recent squatter situation turned into a lesson in protecting property.

They also get into business acquisitions, succession planning, the unusual history behind Hamptons property rights, and why your professional reputation might be your most valuable asset in a small community.

And yes, there's champagne involved.

In This Episode

The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when starting a business

New York employment laws that can catch small-business owners off guard

A real-life squatter situation involving an East End property

What Hamptons homebuyers should consider before signing a contract

Why communication between attorneys, real estate agents, and clients matters

Legal protections to consider when buying or selling a business

Business succession planning and overlooked ownership restrictions

How centuries-old land grants still influence East End property rights

Why reputation and reliable referrals matter in the Hamptons

Whether you're a Hamptons homeowner, real estate investor, entrepreneur, or local business owner, this conversation offers a look at the legal issues that can shape your next big decision.

About Mic Hamptons

Hosted by Mike Petersohn of Brown Harris Stevens and the Hamptons Networking Group, Mic Hamptons features conversations with the people, businesses, and professionals shaping the East End of Long Island.

Learn more about the Hamptons Networking Group at hngli.com.

This episode is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

Are you choosing the right windows and doors for your home, or just the ones that look good?

This week on Mic Hamptons, Michael Petersohn sits down with Mike Altieri of WindowRama to talk about what homeowners, builders, and contractors should know before investing in new windows and doors.

With 22 locations and a massive distribution center on Long Island, WindowRama has built its business around product selection, availability, and helping customers make smarter decisions about their homes.

Michael and Mike get into everything from replacement window mistakes and energy efficiency to what's trending in Hamptons home design. They also talk about why quality installation matters, how the right windows can completely transform a space, and the business relationships that have developed through the Hamptons Networking Group.

Whether you're building a home, planning a renovation, or simply curious about what makes a well-built house, there's plenty to take away from this conversation.

What You'll Learn

• What homeowners should consider before replacing their windows.
• Why durability, warranties, and installation matter as much as price.
• Which window and door trends are showing up in Hamptons homes.
• How coastal weather influences window selection.
• Why fiberglass entry doors are an appealing alternative to traditional wood.
• How the Hamptons Networking Group creates real business partnerships.
• What separates a great contractor from an average one.

Connect with Mike Altieri: WindowRama.com

Explore the Hamptons Networking Group: HNGli.com

Mic Hamptons is hosted by Michael Petersohn of Brown Harris Stevens and produced by Flying Point Media Group.