Home Design Chat with Nancy

Today, I’m excited to welcome a special guest to the show — Ray Smith, a talented kitchen and bath designer based in Phoenix, Arizona. Not only is Ray a general contractor & owner of Precision Design & Cabinetry, but he has also built a reputation for creating beautiful, functional spaces that truly reflect his clients’ lifestyles and personalities. With a keen eye for detail and a passion...

I am excited to have Munir Turunc as our guest today.  Munir is the CEO of Marble Systems which was started in 1982. Marble systems brings the finest natural stone to the design & architectural community specializing in high-end residential, commercial and hospitality projects. Munir has led Marble Systems for nearly 40 years, transforming it into one of the most respected and design-forward n...

If you’ve ever dreamed of updating your bathroom and tiling your shower yourself, this episode is for you. Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, explains the step-by-step process of tiling a shower from a DIY perspective. Whether you're working on a small stall or a large walk-in, this guide will help you understand what materials and tools you’ll need—and walk you through the job with...

We all love a clean home but I don't know anyone who has the time to spend hours cleaning.  The trick is to design your home with easy maintenance in mind, unless of course you love to clean. Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica, joins me in the topic of high design vs low maintenance.  We will give you ideas on what to substitute for the following high maintenance items: Crystal  and ornate chandel...

We’re seeing wallpaper used strategically—in powder rooms, accent walls, ceilings, and even closets. It’s no longer about covering every wall in floral prints. It’s about statement-making, and adding texture, dimension. And personality to your home. Whether you want a bold statement wall or a subtle touch of elegance, the right wallpaper can completely change the look and feel of your room. Today...

Welcome back to our special series: Tiling like a Pro.  This podcast explains everything necessary for you to complete your tile backsplash project.  Of course, Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, is back to give the final  instructions for your backsplash project. If you missed previous podcasts on "tiling like a pro, you will find them posted on Designers Circle, Spotify, NancyHug...

This is being recorded on Mother's Day and as I always say, "Every Day is Mother's Day!"  I thought today would be a day to talk about Aging in Place as all the mothers who are still with us are needing help and attention as they age. (Of course, we're not forgetting about the fathers!) I have been hearing about "my forever house" as people who are remodeling would...

Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, Arizona, is back with me to finish the important subject of budgets. We began the discussion on April 7th and decided to continue it today since we had so much to cover and didn't want to omit anything. If you missed the first podcast, I would suggest listening to it before you proceed with today's podcast.     The budget is an essential subject for an...

I am forever getting notices about what's in trend for 2025 which I share on podcasts and Designers Circle.  Today I am going to share 6 kitchen trends that designers give a thumbs down to for 2025. Some of these ideas have been on the lists of several designers and most I agree with.  Email me and give me your opinion on these design ideas.   I will also explain again why I do podcasts and Design...

Welcome back to our Tiling Like a Pro series! In Parts 1 and 2, Tony Scuderi laid the groundwork—literally—by covering tile selection, surface prep, and floor tiling techniques. Now, it’s time to shift our focus upward to a key design feature that can transform any kitchen or bathroom: the backsplash. While backsplashes may seem like a smaller tiling project, they pack a big visual punch and requi...

Who doesn’t like to be organized?  It could be extremely overwhelming to reorganize closets and storage areas but don't give up. You can have the luxurious master closet you have always dreamed of or the the perfectly organized pantry where everything is easy to find. Today my guest is Jennifer Q. Williams, owner of  St Louis Closet Company, in St. Louis, Missouri. Jennifer has experience in o...

Gil Olachea is back with me right on time.  Gil, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, AZ,  joins me the first week of  every month to talk about anything and everything that would be of interest to homeowners.  Our subject today is your budget.  An essential subject for anyone who going to spend money whether it's a new car, a new home or a remodeling project.   Our topics today: Why is a budget i...

Dan Huggins, Monogram's Senior Sales Manager, is back with me to talk about his busy schedule with Monogram.  He attended two of the biggest events in the design world: Modernism Week 2025 in Palm Springs and the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas. If you have never heard of Modernism week, it's the ultimate celebration of mid-century modern architecture, design, and culture offering many...

The big question when talking about appliances is always about the finishes. Stainless Steel remains classic but yet people are embracing bolder, more personalized options. Andy Welemin with Arizona Appliance and Home, tells me that colorful ranges, hood and refrigerators have been the choice of many who are remodeling their kitchen. Let's just delve into the topics of color: Neutral tones are tak...

As I mentioned in the February 16th podcast, tile is a popular choice in home design because it’s durable, stylish, and versatile. From kitchens and bathrooms to living spaces and outdoor patios, tile is everywhere! Today is the second podcast in a series on everything to know about tile including installation. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a homeowner looking to understand the process before...

Thinking about updating your bathroom? In this episode, we explore the top bathroom design trends for 2025 —what’s hot, what’s not, and how you can create a stylish and functional space.  Ryan Young, co-owner of Lux Kitchen & Bath Gallery in Scottsdale, Az is my guest today.  We will talk about everything you need to know before beginning your project. Some ideas you might consider: Freestandi...

When you are planning a move, you usually have a choice between an older resale home or a new construction home. Buying your home is an important financial and lifestyle decision, which means you have to do research and planning. Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, Az, and I will explore the pros and cons of both options to help you make an informed decision. The choice of a new or used...

We all know how important it is to have a doctor who we can count on when we need one. The same goes for a plumber.  You don’t need one until you need one. It would be great to have a plumber friend or someone who can help with problems at any given time.. I don’t have a plumber to chat with today but I do know what Plumbers wish you knew about your Kitchens & Baths. That’s our subject today. ...

Tile is a popular choice in home design because it’s durable, stylish, and versatile. From kitchens and bathrooms to living spaces and outdoor patios, tile is everywhere! Today is the first of a series on everything to know about tile including installation. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a homeowner looking to understand the process before hiring a pro, this series will cover everything y...

This podcast is all about the new Designers Circle just for the homeowners and do-it-yourselfers.  After 16 years of publishing for designers, builders and architects, Nancy made the move to give Designers Circle a new look.  I am now focusing Designers Circle on Homeowners and DIY's with posts about Design Trends for 2025, Design News, Things to Know and, of course, all the educational podcas...

My guest today is Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica, a beautiful, wholesale only, tile showroom in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Our topics will cover tile trends for 2025 and what is not popular moving into this year.  Gil is extremely knowledgeable on tile, its properties and installation.  Additionally, due to Gil's vast background, he will be my guest monthly to chat about various subjects.   If you...

Last week I spoke about planning your kitchen remodel and continuing with that thought I am going to talk about cabinetry, one of the more expensive items in a kitchen remodel.  The homeowner/DIY should know as much as possible about the components that go into their kitchen or their bathroom or whatever area being remodeled. Everything you should know about cabinets: Types Construction Cabinet bo...

The holidays are over so now is the time to plan your remodel, right?  If you don't know where to start this is the perfect podcast to guide you through this overwhelming task .  If you are planning to work with a general contractor or do the work yourself, you have to have a plan. Nancy talks about the important steps that must be done before you lift that hammer for DIYers, or sign that cont...

One of the common questions on homeowners’ minds is how long will it take to remodel a kitchen.  It is probably the most complicated room in your home to remodel.   This is not HGTV…no, it can’t be done in a day or a week. Today Nancy answers that question and more: Lots of moving parts to the project Planning Is Key Average Timeline by Kitchen Remodel Type Factors That Affect the Kitchen Renovati...

Happy New Year 2025!  One of my resolutions for the new year is to not work on Sundays.  Well, maybe just a little, but the result is to publish Home Design Chat with Nancy on Mondays, not Sundays.  Not a big deal but Mondays works great for me and also for Chris, my tech guy.  Another change, as I mentioned last week, is to publish DesignersCircleHQ.com for homeowners and DIYers.  This online pub...