Home Design Chat with Nancy

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 p...

The two main components of a great kitchen remodel are the cabinets and appliances.  These items are the bulk of your budget and should be chosen carefully based on the money to be spent, the function of these items and the given space for your project.  Of course, the countertop material, backsplashes, flooring and lighting will complete the look which will be subjects for future podcasts. In thi...

Last week the subject of my podcast was planning for a successful remodel.  The take-a-way from last week was the importance of having a vision for your remodel, having a budget and working with a designer. This week I talked about: having a functional floor plan  importance of listing all the components of your remodel (cabinets, plumbing fixtures, tile, appliances, etc) working with a Kitchen De...

Many people look forward to celebrating the holidays with family & friends and showing off their newly remodeled kitchen. If this is your plan, you have to start now if you want it to happen before 2025.  That sounds so far into the future but it’s not.  The holidays are only 6 months away.  Time is flying faster than it did a few years ago.  I hope I am not the only one who feels that way.   ...

We've heard of different ways of describing colors:   happy colors, bright colors, trending colors, but never the loneliest color until now.  Sherwin-Williams has introduced a way to tell the first ever color story of the least tinted color, and perhaps bring it out of the shadows!  Also, to give homeowners and specifiers the confidence to choose colors that are less than popular, and how to u...

Have you ever thought of that perfect kitchen remodel? You spend months planning, budgeting, and picturing your wish list.  Before those demolition hammers start swinging, let's talk about something crucial: your roof. Your beautiful new kitchen could be overshadowed (literally!) by a leaky, outdated roof. This episode of Home Design Chat with Nancy dives into why your roof deserves just as mu...

Did you know that different colors stir different feelings due to how our brain responds to each tone?  For example, bright, warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) stimulate energy and happiness while cool, subdued colors (blues, greens, purples) are soothing and calming.  Sarah Jones, Designer Services Representative with Dunn-Edwards Paint, is back with us to chat about the psychology of color and...

Everyone loves the look and the coziness of fireplaces and I’m no exception.  I have been including fireplaces in my designs for years.  Family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and patios. Today I am happy to have as my guest Keith Richardson, President at Arizona Fireplaces, a leading player in the hearth industry. Keith's parents founded Arizona Fireplace in 1980 and holds the distin...

Did you ever wonder about those popular renovation shows like the Property Brothers or This Old House and what really goes on behind the camera?  I came across a situation in Las Vegas where a young couple contracted with the Property Brothers and things went very wrong.  It is now in litigation waiting for a jury trial in October, 2024.  That led me to delve more into what people should know befo...

When homeowners decide to remodel their kitchen they can get easily overwhelmed by the many choices in cabinets, appliances, etc. because this is not a project most people do often.  Since many of the same questions are asked of me when I meet potential clients, I thought I would chose 3 areas and explain the difference and benefits of each.  Today I am going to explain the differences between fra...

Join us on Home Design Chat with Nancy as we delve into an intriguing aspect of modern living: the world of recreational vehicles (RVs). Did you know that approximately 1 million Americans have embraced RV life as their full-time residence? Moreover, an astonishing 40 million Americans regularly embark on RV adventures, with over 25 million hitting the road each year. Surprisingly, 38% of RV owner...

Remember when appliances came in the colors of the rainbow?  Well, maybe not all the colors but in the 1950's and 60's pink, yellow and turquoise were popular choices for appliances.  The 70's brought us harvest gold and avocado refrigerators, sinks and accessories like toasters and even Tupperware to match. These color trends are gone, never to return I hope. Nancy talks about the tre...

Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, joins Nancy today to chat about the world of tile design and innovation!  We will  explore the exciting trends shaping the tile industry in 2024. Whether you’re a designer, architect, home renovator, or tile enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights to inspire your next project. This year, we’re seeing incredible advancements in technology and s...

Monogram introduced their new products at the February 2024 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas to the excitement of all the attendees and kitchen designers.   Dan Huggins, Monogram Senior Sales Manager, joined Nancy to chat about these new appliances and how Monogram™ elevated the position of luxury appliances to works of art with impeccable craftsmanship and sophisticated design.  To o...

Today Maegan Blau, owner of Blue Copper Designs, joined Nancy for this 3rd and final podcast on barrier-free designs.  General barrier-free designs and kitchens were covered in the last 2 podcasts.  Barrier-free designs are not only relegated to people with physical challenges, but for everyone living in the home no matter the age of the residents.   The concept of independence and safety are emph...

Maegan Blau, owner of Blue Copper Designs, was Nancy’s guest last week. She explained what barrier-free designs are and described some ideas that she has implemented in her designs.  Maegan is back to talk about accessibility and universal and barrier-free designs in the kitchen. This is an important subject for everyone who has challenges in using the kitchen or knows someone who finds it difficu...

A few weeks ago I attended a seminar on Barrier-free Designs presented by Maegan Blau, owner of Blue Copper Designs.  Maegan was friendly, outgoing and very knowledgeable on the subject.  And why not?  She has lived with a physical challenge for the past several years and has decided to design for people with disabilities both in the residential and commercial field. There is so much information f...

I have been interviewing various people who are experts in their field on my podcast for over 8 years.  Last week I was given the change to be on the other side of the mic and be  interviewed  by Jill Nicolini, a reporter on WPIX 11 New York City. It was certainly fun and interesting to be asked questions and chat about my expertise instead of me being the hostess.  I am sharing the interview whic...

The newest kitchen and bath ideas are always introduced at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show that was combined with the International Builders Show which was held in Las Vegas.   The combined attendance for both shows was over 117,000 people who viewed more than 2,400 exhibits and walked 678,000 square feet.  Whew!  That is a lot of walking.   Jason Miller, current president of the National Kit...

Styles come and go constantly!  Bell bottoms and crop tops are back and so is wallpaper, terrazzo flooring and floral patterns.  When it comes to remodeling your kitchen and bath, there are certain ideas that builders incorporated into their houses should never be brought back.   Why did builders think putting a desk in a kitchen was a great idea.  Those wet bars from years ago were not functional...

Several years ago I had the horrific misfortune of being scammed.  I wrote about this experience and published it to all of my social media platforms in addition to sending it out to everyone I knew. I didn't want anyone to go through what I did.  Many people has experienced this same scam all over the country and have been interviewed on news programs and for news articles. I have been asked...

Many times designers and homeowners want unique items that sets their project apart from the norm.  The difficulty is to find the craftsman that can make their design a reality.  Nancy's guest,  Steve Appolloni, owner of EuroFe Remodeling, is just that person.  His background is very interesting and his creativity and knowledge of kitchen design and remodeling makes him a valuable asset to the...

Trends are trends…they come and go.  You might like some and you might not like others. Most trends aren't new. They just pop up every few years.  Some trends like carrara marble and navy blue cabinets are timeless but not every designer agrees. Listen to find out if our guest, Jan Rutgers, owner and founder of Vestubal School of Design, and Nancy agrees with what the designers have to say. Cu...

My last 2 podcasts are important if you plan on remodeling so if you haven't had a chance to listen, please do. They were specifically focused on homeowners knowing more about remodeling and having a plan before the project gets started. This podcast focuses on remodeling the kitchen and bathroom to get a better a return on your investment. What sells a home Renovation vs. Remodel - what is th...

We are 3 weeks into the new year and one of the common goals for homeowners is remodeling.  They are anxious to have a new look by decorating or remodeling.  This week Nancy will talk about where to start a kitchen remodel for success.  Have a plan before you start.  Work with a professional Remodel should be timeless Have a functional floor plan Research main and secondary appliances Order applia...