Home Design Chat with Nancy

Happy holidays and welcome to a special Best Of edition of Home Design Chat with Nancy. While I’m taking a short holiday break, I wanted to leave you with some of my favorite moments from the podcast that I did with Laura Clark of Sherwin-Williams.  Laurie shared so much interesting information about the beautiful colors for 2026.   Whether you’re decorating, relaxing, or planning future home projects, this episode is the perfect way to enjoy a little design inspiration during the holiday season. So grab a cup of something cozy, sit back, and enjoy this Best Of holiday episode.Email me anytime at Nancy@NancyHugo.com.  I would love to hear from you.By the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

In the past 3 weeks I have done podcasts hoping to answer questions for homeowners who are planning a kitchen remodel.  The topics covered were about planning a dream kitchen, setting a budget, finding a general contractor, avoiding change orders and working with a professional kitchen designer.  Last week the topic was achieving timeless kitchens. The topic today is being aware of upgrades that people have regretted.  We all learn from other peoples' mistakes so it's important to know what ideas and items are worth splurging on especially if you are working on a tight budget. Items to ponder: High-tech gadgets Oversized islands Fancy lighting Luxury materials Anything Trendy Items that should be included in your project:  Large drawers Cabinets to the ceiling Electric outlets & backsplashes Storage Lighting Landing spaces This podcast sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram Appliances⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Studio 41⁠⁠ email comments & questions to Nancy@NancyHugo.com

Candy Lesher, Culinary Professional, and Nancy reviewed all the popular countertop appliances that clutter your kitchen.  Which ones get a thumbs up and which ones get a thumbs down.  Do you own a blender, a stand mixer, a toaster oven, an air fryer, a steam oven, a soda mixer, a pressure cooker, a coffee maker, a coffee bean grinder, a food processor?  If you have more than 3, you are overloading your kitchen. What’s Candy’s favorite appliance that she should couldn’t live without.   This podcast sponsored by Premier Lighting Intro music “On my way” by Kevin Macleod email questions to Nancy@NancyHugo.com

Before you buy anything for your home, listen to Nancy chat with Richard Wilkinson, owner of MADE Resource Group.  Richard knows what is coming in and what is going out in the world of furniture, fabric, lighting, wallcoverings & accessories. Richard will tell you why your home should reflect you. OUT:  Electric Clutter, Statement Upholstery, Cool Grays, Copper Furniture, Lacquered Furniture and Mid-Century everything. IN:  Feminine Tones, 90% white- 10% color, Not skimping in comfort and acrylic furniture. Listen for more interesting information for your decor. This podcast sponsored by Premier Lighting Intro music “On my way” by Kevin Macleod email questions to Nancy@NancyHugo.com

Rob Rubin, co-owner of AK Studio, was a guest on Home Design Chat with Nancy in February, 2018, and now he’s back to chat about his new Central Phoenix showroom that shows beautiful kitchen ideas but specifically the integration of kitchen millwork with architectural details. Nancy & Rob talked about what they saw at KBIS (Kitchen & Bath Industry Show) and what they liked.  They commented on technology being in every phase of design for the kitchen & baths. Rob said, “Everyone is trying to build a better mousetrap, not a cheaper one.” They also talked about how kitchen design is changing because of the appliances available which ultimately is changing how people using their kitchen. Listen to find out what other new products they commented on. This podcast sponsored by Premier Lighting Intro music “On my way” by Kevin Macleod email questions to Nancy@NancyHugo.com

Alan Thompson, district sales manager with B/S/H appliances, was Nancy's guest.  Alan explained that B/S/H stands for Bosch, Siemens, Hausgerate and is the largest home appliance manufacturer in Europe.  The B/S/H product range includes large home appliances for cooking, dishwashing, laundry, refrigeration and freezing, as well as a multitude of small appliances such as fully automatic espresso machnes, floor care and hot water appliances.  Bosch has been leading the charge in smart appliances with its Home Connect, Alexa voice-activated control system.  Alan and Nancy talked about the new ideas and appliances introduced at the Kitchen and Bath Industrial Show (KBIS) 2019, and what the benefits of the Black Stainless appliance finish exclusive to Bosch Appliances. This podcast sponsored by Premier Lighting Intro music “On my way” by Kevin Macleod email questions to Nancy@NancyHugo.com

Hi everyone, and welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy.  As we get close to Christmas and the end of the year, I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for listening to my podcasts.This year marks the end of 10 years of Home Design Chat with Nancy, When I started this podcast, I was worried about having enough information to share with you but It seems that I never run out of topics to talk about with you.  Over the past decade, we’ve talked about everything from kitchen and bath design to tile trends, safety, wellness, and how homes really function in everyday life.These  podcasts have always been about education — helping you make informed decisions, not just follow trends.Last January I started to focus more on homeowners and do -it -yourselfers, educating on every aspect of design and how-to’s. We did a series on installing tile yourself.  That was interesting.  I learned alot although I would not install myself. Gil Olachea became my co-host squeezing in time to podcast once or twice a month. I’m really excited about what’s coming up in 2026.Gil and I will have more honest conversations about productsThe  pros and cons — or as I call the good, the bad and the ugly.Biophilic designs, wellness and technology are definitely on everyone’s radarMy goal in 2026 is to keep this podcast useful, practical, and grounded in how people actually live.”I’ll be sharing a few ‘Best of Home Design Chat with Nancy’ episodes over the next few weeks — some of the conversations you’ve loved most and that are still incredibly relevant today.I’ll be taking a short holiday break, and I’ll be back with great new guests starting January 5th, 2026. I already have some interesting guests lined up, and I can’t wait to share them with you.Happy HolidayIf you have questions,  please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy! Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are going to be here before you know it.  Whatever you celebrate, I am sure you have a lot to do before the big day or big week.. Decorating, gift shopping, planning the menu for family holiday dinners, and added to this, enough stress for 10 people.  I think stress naturally goes with holidays.  I was actually thinking of sharing some of my traditional Italian cookies and pastry recipes but…this is not a cooking show, so I will stick with my subjects for your home.If you are remodeling any part of your home, or building a new home, or are in the middle of planning a remodel project, now is not the time to think about this.  Just relax. Watch Christmas movies, make ornaments & cookies with your kids and have fun.Several weeks ago I reviewed the walk in tub.  I shared my honest opinion on the pros and cons. Today I am reviewing  an interesting product for the kitchen.  I really like induction cooktops but this one by Invisacook goes a step further.How does it workPros & ConsVentilationCostI hope today’s episode on the pros and cons of a new product.If you have questions,  please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy! I hope this is not the first time you are listening to my podcasts but if it is you will learn  all about your home…how to plan, design and execute your remodel and much more. my passion is about design and to educate….that’s my reason for doing this podcast every week.Today’s episode is all about giving you design inspiration and helping you decorate safely. We’re going to cover what’s trending in Christmas décor for 2025, what colors and materials designers are loving this year, and the safest way to create a beautiful holiday home without setting off the smoke alarm.If you want a holiday home that looks magical but is still safe for kids, pets, and your peace of mind, stay with me — this is your guide to safe and stylish decorating this Christmas.Check your lights before you use them to decorateDon't overload your outletsSafe decorating for outdoorsReal tree vs artificial treeCandles - the #1 hazardNow for the fun stuff:Warm Luxe meets WhimsyColor trends in decorating for the holidaysThe holiday metallic colorPastel colors for ChristmasBows everywhereTexture and more textureHandmade decorThe ambient glowMultiple treesI hope today’s episode gave you a mix of inspiration and practical ideas to make your home look beautiful and stay safe this Christmas. Decorating should be fun — and with a little thoughtfulness, it can be magical without becoming dangerous.If you have questions,  please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com. All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Hi everyone, welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy. My podcasts are  all about your home…how to plan, design and execute your remodel and much more. As everyone who knows me will attest, my passion is design and educate….that’s my reason for doing this podcast every week.One of the most common questions homeowners ask is what are the new tile trends for 2026.  Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, and a tile expert, is going to answer those questions.The tile trends are below.  Listen to the podcast for descriptions of each trend.Earthy & Biophilic Colors Large-Format & Slab Tiles Textured & Tactile Tiles Pattern RevivalMonochromatic & Matching GroutMixed Materials & Craftsmanship Natural Stone Effects Matte Finish Tile “Drenching”Checkerboard Modernized Historic & Artistic Touches If you have questions for me or for Gil Olachea, please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Hi everyone, welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy. My podcasts are  all about your home…how to plan, design and execute your remodel and much more.When we talk about bathroom design, two themes always seem to show up: safety and luxury. Homeowners want a space that feels spa-worthy, but they also want it to function comfortably and safely for everyday life. And right in the middle of that conversation sits the ever-popular freestanding tub. People love it—but is the appeal really about luxury, or is there something deeper going on? In today’s episode, we’re looking at how they fit into a safe and well-planned layout, and whether they’re the right choice for your next remodel.Topics of discussion:The risks of free-standing tubsHow risks can be mitigatedFree-standing tubs might work with design adjustmentsMore design ideas for a safe bathroomIf you have questions please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Hi everyone, I’m Nancy Hugo, and you’re listening to Home Design Chat with Nancy., I am a certified kitchen designer and love remodeling kitchens and bathrooms. Home Design Chat with Nancy is all about your home…how to plan, design and execute your remodel and much more.The most common question everyone has when they are planning a remodel is "what is the color of the year?"  We know every year there are new colors introduced for fashion, cars and home design, and of course, you don't have to follow that, but it is fun to know what the new colors are. Laurie Clark with Sherwin-Williams is back with me, as she is every year, to explain the Anthology of color and how it relates the the color forecast for 2026.2026 Anthology Volume 2” is comprised of  48 hand-selected hues grouped into four palettes.The four palettes are:Frosted Tints — airy pastels, milky lavenders, soft greens/blues. Sunbaked Hues — warm, sun-drenched earthy tones: terracotta, saffron yellow, clay-inspired reds. Restorative Darks — deep, enveloping tones (plum, burgundy, inky blues) designed for comfort and cocooning. Foundational Neutrals — modern neutrals with subtle undertones, warm and layered instead of flat. The 2026 Color of the Year is Universal Khaki SW 6150 — a mid-tone neutral with slight yellow/khaki undertone, described as “warm, grounded, versatileGo to www.swcolorforecast.com for more information and to see the new colors of the year.Listen to my weekly podcast to learn everything about your home, what the current trends are, how to design, plan and execute your remodel and much moreIf you have questions please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy where all the conversations are about your home - how to plan, design and execute your remodel and much more.  Hiring the right designer can make or break your remodeling project and that’s our subject for today.Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramic in Scottsdale is back.  Before we start this podcast, I need to apologize for the 1 minute + pause in last week's podcast.  I will blame it on technology but it is now fixed.  So if you didn’t listen to the whole podcast which was filled with information about the outdated bathroom, please try it again.2 weeks ago Gil & I talked about hiring the wrong designer for your project and what you should do when you realize that this happened.  This week we are going to give you the "rules" on hiring a designer so you don't have any regrets.Do your homeworkSchedule a consultationAsk the right questionsAsk about budgets & feesTrust your gutContracts, policies & timelineListen to my weekly podcast to learn everything about your home, what the current trends are, how to design, plan and execute your remodel and much moreIf you have questions please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.comPicture source: Plumguide.com

Hi everyone, I’m Nancy Hugo, and you’re listening to Home Design Chat with Nancy., I am a certified kitchen designer and love remodeling kitchens and bathrooms. Home Design Chat with Nancy is all about your home…how to plan, design and execute your remodel and much more.You use the bathroom several times a day and don’t really look at it with a critical eye, but then you look at magazines and realize your bathroom could use an update.  That’s our subject for today.Main reasons why your bathroom looks outdated:Color schemesBuilder grade tilesLightingPlumbing fixtures/finishesCountertopsVanity cabinet heightOver accessorizingGlass blockTubs set in decksListen to my weekly podcast to learn everything about your home, what the current trends are, how to design, plan and execute your remodel and much moreIf you have questions please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy. If you are new to my show, I am Nancy Hugo, a certified kitchen designer. My podcasts are all about your home…how to plan, design and execute your remodel and much more. Over the 16 years that I have done podcasting I have had many guests and have covered many subjects. Most of them are educational...actually all of them have been interesting and educational. Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica, a wholesale tile showroom in Scottsdale is my monthly guest co-host and back today to talk about a very interesting subject.Gil and I have talked many times about how the design process is changing.  So that's our subject for today!Remodeling your home should be exciting but if you hire the wrong designer, that dream project can quickly turn into a stressful, expensive, and disappointing experience. The relationship between homeowner and designer is like a partnership — built on trust, communication, and shared vision.Here’s how to spot the red flags, avoid costly mistakes, and make sure your next project runs smoothly from start to finish.Communication is a struggleDesigner is not accompanying client to showroomsThe chemistry just isn't thereThe budget keeps shiftingProject management falls apartThe design doesn't reflect the client (homeowner)The cost of the wrong designerListen to my weekly podcast to learn everything about your home, what the current trends are, how to design, plan and execute your remodel and much moreIf you have questions please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy. If you are new to my show, I am Nancy Hugo, a certified kitchen designer enjoying designing kitchens and also bathrooms for years.  I love looking at my clients faces when their remodel is completed.Home Design Chat with Nancy is all about your home…how to plan, design and execute your remodel and much more.I am going to talk about smart design ideas that help your kitchen feel more joyful  & functional rather than stressful and disorganized.Your job will be to look at and think of your kitchen with a critical eye.  Picture yourself making breakfast or dinner.  Could you be more efficient? Have you been thinking about remodeling your kitchen to be more efficient?These are the subjects I am covering:Eliminating wasted stepsHow wide are your walkwaysDirecting traffic though the kitchenPeninsula vs an islandMicrowave heightsHaving enough workspaceFunctional storageHave enough outlets?Listen to my weekly podcast to learn everything about your home, what the current trends are, how to design, plan and execute your remodel and much moreIf you have questions please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Welcome back to Home Design chat with Nancy. I am excited to have Chris and Melanie Sparks with Kurk Homes join me today.They are a third-generation, full-service custom home builders based in Texas, known for blending thoughtful design, family legacy, and top-tier craftsmanship, and they are a brother & sister team.Kurk Homes is the only Southern Living Custom Builder in the Houston and Texas Hill Country area building to a certified third-party engineering standard, which really sets them apart in quality and trust.On this podcast we spoke about custom home building and how Kurk Homes guides their clients through design and constructionSubjects included:The Design + Build ProcessInitial client consultations and expectationsThe process from concept to completionImportance of site evaluation and planningConstruction quality checks and standardsRole of the homeownerHow to communicate effectively with your builderBecause time ran out and since Melanie and Chris had so much information to share regarding custom home building, we will continue this podcast with Melanie and Chris in November. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on the platform you are using to listen to podcasts. You certainly do not want to miss out on Melanie and Chris' next podcast with me.If you have questions for my guests in this podcast or past podcasts, please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more. DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Welcome back to Home Design chat with Nancy. This is the place where you learn everything about your home, what the current trends are, how to design, plan and execute your remodel and much more.Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica, a Scottsdale wholesale tile showroom for designers and their clients is joining me today.  It's going to be 2026 very soon so our subject today is the new trends for 2026.  Are they really new?  We will explain what they are and share our opinions on these trends, so listen and feel free to comment.  You can send me an email:  Nancy@nancyhugo.comBiophilic Design .Curves Are the New EdgesRetro RenaissanceWarm, Earthy and Cozy Color PalettesMaximalism vs MinimalismThe Rise of the Accent Wall AgainTech integrated spacesDesigning for MultifunctionalityIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on the platform you are using to listen to podcasts.By the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, news and more.If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com and if you have any questions for me, send an email to Nancy@nancyhugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy.  I am your host Nancy Hugo.  This is the place where you learn everything about your home, what the current trends are, how to design, plan and execute your remodel and much more.Today, we’re talking about a design feature that just about everyone has an opinion on — the kitchen island. Some people think it’s essential, others say it’s outdated. It was so common to see peninsulas in kitchens but very few islands when I started designing kitchens.  Matter of fact I had a peninsula in my new house and I could see the negatives right away. I always said that islands were one of the best ideas in kitchen design.Island Pros:Extra counter spaceOrganized storagegathering spotMultifunctionalDesign opportunitiesFlexibilityIsland Cons:Space issuesCost Workflow disruptionsClutter magnetMaintenanceDesign limitationsLet me know your thoughts on this subject by email me at Nancy@nancyhugo.comIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on the platform you are using to listen to podcasts.By the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, news and more.If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com and if you have any questions for me, send an email to Nancy@nancyhugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy.   This is the place where you learn everything about your home, what the current trends are, how to design, plan and execute your remodel and much more.Your roof takes a beating every season—scorching hot summers, heavy snowfalls, and everything in between.  But how do you know if the roof is really holding up? Charlie Holquin, Sales & marketing director for Big Red Roofing, is my guest today.   Charlie will explain what extreme heat does to shingles, how snow and ice can sneak damage into your home, and those little warning signs—like curling shingles, sagging spots, or mysterious water stains—that you don’t want to ignore.He will also share some simple maintenance tips that can save you from a costly repair down the road and keep your roof in good shape no matter the season.Important talking points:How extreme heat affects roofing materialsCommon signs of sun damage, including warping, curling, and fading shinglesWhat heavy snow and ice can do to your roof’s structureRed flags like sagging, leaks, or water stains inside your homePreventative maintenance tips to extend the life of your roof year-roundIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on the platform you are using to listen to podcasts.By the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, news and more.If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com and if you have any questions for me, send an email to Nancy@nancyhugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com