Home Design Chat with Nancy

2024 is just about over and I can't believe how fast it flew by.  The new year brings lots of exciting changes and this year will be definitely bring many great one.  Every January I always plan on organizing everything. . . my files, my closets, my kitchen, the garage.  Of course, these are all on my list but can I get it done is the big question. Many people create a list of resolutions that see...

Last week I mentioned that I would talk about the 8 kitchen trends that will be popular in 2025.   Well, here you are listening to my last podcast of 2024 because you have been a loyal listener or because you want to know what the 2025 kitchen trends are?  Whatever the reason, I am excited to say that I will continue doing podcasts on home remodeling for 2025.  I am going to discuss what a handful...

The Holidays are here and everyone is excited about gift giving and menu planning but there are some homeowners who are planning to remodel their kitchen which will most likely start after New years . Even if you plan to remodel in the next several months, here are some hints and ideas that might help. Why do you want to remodel? Outdated Appliances don't work Not enough storage or counter space N...

We are a few weeks away from celebrating 2025, the year of change.  For the past 16 years I have published Designers Circle an online magazine for the Design Community.  As of January 2025, Designers Circle will be focused on Homeowners….remodeling, trends, new items, before and after projects and more.  My website, NancyHugo.com, is 20 plus years old and has gone through several changes to stay f...

What better way to kick off the new year than with a fresh new look for your home?  Whether it’s refreshing your living room, cozying up your bedroom, or adding bold energy to your kitchen, the secret lies in choosing the perfect colors.  Sarah Jones, Designer Services Rep with Dunn-Edwards, joins Nancy to chat about all the exciting, new trending colors for 2025.  Sarah will talk about the color...

I am going to assume that everyone listing to this podcast has a roof, and of course, I am sure that everyone hopes they never experience a leaky roof .  How do we know if the roof is going to leak before it causes damage?  Charlie Holquin with Roof King, is back with us to explain how leaky roofs can be avoided.    Yearly roof inspections Different kinds of roofs: Clay tiles, shingles and flat fo...

Window treatments are much more than decorative elements; they are essential for managing light, privacy, and energy efficiency while enhancing the ambiance of any room.  Today we will explore the different window treatments trends for 2025, what their functions are and how they can enhance your home. My guest today is Melinda Cavelli, a window covering expert with Arjay's Window Fashions. Melinda...

Appliances are one of the most important elements in a kitchen whether you prepare meals once a week or cook every night. One appliance you may or may not be familiar with the 5-in-1 Advantium.  This oven is one of the more versatile items I would definitely recommend and you will learn all about it as I chat with my guest, Julie Burns, Executive Director with Monogram.  The Advantium has 175 prep...

The 2925 bathroom design  trends are evolving with a focus on comfort, functionality, and sustainability highlighting innovative technologies, natural materials, and personalized touches that transform bathrooms into luxurious retreats. Nancy explores the top bathroom trends for 2025 comparing them to the trends of the last few years.  Are they really new trends or a repeat of the trends of 2023 a...

Enjoy the Best of Home Design Chat with Nancy Minimalist design and open-plan living have been all the rage for the last few years, and I don’t see any signs of it stopping. Who doesn’t love a sleek look and a decluttered space, especially when it comes to the most used space in your home? An invisible kitchen, also known as a hidden kitchen, is a minimalist design that integrates kitchen applianc...

Remodeling a kitchen, as I have said numerous times, can be very overwhelming and stressful.  How can a homeowner feel less stressful and happy at the end of the project?  This is a common question among many other questions which is the subject of this podcast, a continuation of last week's podcast ( October 13, 2024 ).  Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, AZ, asked many questions durin...

Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramic, an upscale tile showroom in Scottsdale has been on this podcast many times explaining everything about the different tile products, the characteristics of tile and the tile trends for each year.  Obviously, Gil is very experienced at being a guest but he thought it would be fun to put me on the hot seat and interview me.  We covered many topics about design, what the...

Planning to remodel your kitchen or update your appliances?  When remodeling chose your appliances first because the size of the appliances will dictate your kitchen design and function of the space. If you are updating the appliances be aware of the sizes of the existing ones.  Once you know the purpose of each appliance on your wish list (size of the refrigerator, free-standing range, wall oven,...

Nancy is taking a podcast break so enjoy this previously recorded podcast recorded in February, 2024.  Summary of what this podcast will cover: Styles come and go constantly and so to ideas that have been used by builders for new construction.  Will those designs resurface?  Were they really popular?  When it comes to remodeling your kitchen and bath, there are certain ideas that builders incorpor...

A beautiful kitchen is both a focal point of a home and a great selling feature when it comes time to put your property on the market.   If you are planning a kitchen remodel, or preparing to sell your home, you will want to be economical and happy with your decisions.  In this podcast Nancy will talk about 5 upgrades that will add value and provide a return on your investment. Talking points:  Ad...

If you are wanting to do a simple kitchen remodel before the holidays, now is the time -  I said simple because the major remodels will take time so if that’s what you had on your wish list – do your homework now and prepare to start in January---after the holidays. If you are not familiar with the term Kitchen triangle, work triangle or the golden triangle, at the end of this podcast you will kno...

American homeowners have been gravitating toward ever more luxurious bathrooms in recent years, with more people wanting to have a spa-like experience in their own homes. that is the reason why wet rooms has become so popular.  Bathrooms are in the 10 top remodeling projects for 2024, and have an average return on investment of 72.7%.  If remodeling your bathroom is on your to do list, listen and...

On this Labor Day Week I continued my podcast from last week (https://designerscirclehq.com/how-the-perfect-project-came-to-be/) on how this perfect project evolved.  Peggy, the homeowner of the project, is back again this week to chat about her and Dan's resilience and ability to adapt to unforeseen and overwhelming mishaps during this project. We covered the following talking points: The imp...

Home Design Chat with Nancy is in its 9th season of podcasting. I find it very enjoyable because I can use each episode to share my vast knowledge and experience to homeowners, designers and do-it-yourselfers.  I cover everything from design to products to trends and then some.  Podcasting is my 2nd passion--my first is the design and execution of a project.  Following projects from interviewing a...

Making choices about countertops for your remodel can be very confusing since there are so many materials to chose from, but we will talk about the pros and cons of both Corian© and Quartz.  These products are manmade and differ from natural stone . FYI:  Quartzite is a natural stone often confused with Quartz. Nancy chats with Kristin Girard, Spec Development Manager with Hallmark Building Supply...

Good lighting is an important aspect of any kitchen. Not only does it provide the necessary visibility to prepare and cook meals, but it can also set the mood and enhance the overall aesthetic of the space. It is easy to be overwhelmed when choosing light fixtures for the kitchen so Ken Ross, manager of Premier Lighting in Scottsdale, will chat with Nancy about the different light fixtures availab...

Are you thinking about a bathroom remodel that’s safe, stylish, and perfect for all ages? Whether you’re designing for young children, elderly family members, or just want a safer space for everyone, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you create a bathroom that’s both beautiful and functional. Nancy has years of experience and is a certified Living in Place designer.  She will cover...

At the end of the current year and the beginning of the new year we are bombarded with predictions of what the trends will be for colors, kitchens and more.  We are now in the 7th month of 2024 and we are going to see how those predictions held up. Is subway tile out along with the checkerboard pattern?  Are mosaics still popular?   Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, is back with Nancy...

Is the Do-It-Yourselfer, more commonly known know as a DIY, going away? Not according to USA  who wrote that in February 2023, a survey found that 76% of homeowners between the ages of 18 and 24 and 73% of homeowners under 44 were doing DIY projects due to inflation. The survey also found that homeowners in remote areas may prefer DIY projects because it may be difficult to find nearby professiona...

Minimalist design and open-plan living have been all the rage for the last few years, and I don’t see any signs of it stopping. Who doesn’t love a sleek look and a decluttered space, especially when it comes to the most used space in your home? An invisible kitchen, also known as a hidden kitchen, is a minimalist design that integrates kitchen appliances and storage into the rest of the home. The...