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 events including bus & walking tours and more open to the public. 

Dan was excited to attend because Monogram Appliances was a sponsor at this event. For more information on this amazing week, click here

Dan then traveled to Las Vegas to attend Design & Construction Week which brings together architects, designers, builders, remodelers, and other pros for an unparalleled gathering highlighting the innovation, trends and opportunities in home and design. 

More than 160,000 registered visitors attended the show, and of course, Monogram had a booth at the kitchen and Bath show at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Design & Construction Week is the place where new products are introduced by the manufacturers. 

Monogram showed their new dual zone wine cooler and beverage center and several other products which Dan explains during the podcast.

This podcast sponsored by Monogram.Com

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 taking a backseat to bold, statement-making hues. Kitchen appliances in vibrant colors or custom finishes allow homeowners to express their personality.

Popular Color Trends:

• Matte Black: Sleek and timeless, perfect for modern kitchens & the industrial look
• Bold Jewel Tones: Deep blues, greens, and reds are making waves. A statement piece in the kitchen
• Customizable Panels: Brands like Café Appliances offer interchangeable panels to match your kitchen's aesthetic. One could change the look of a kitchen without replacing it with new appliances. You want custom panels; they make creating a kitchen an accurate reflection of your style adventurous pop of color, or even a staider white finish.
• White appliances are back-big time.  In 2025, white appliances will become a trend and thus become hot favorites again. Matte-finish white appliances can give the space a bright and fresh feel without conflicting with the modern-to-farmhouse kitchen design. This brightens up the space and gives it an airy feel. Thus, it suits even small kitchens.

Minimalist Must-Haves:

• Panel-Ready Appliances: Blend seamlessly with cabinetry.
• Induction Cooktops: Sleek surfaces that deliver precision cooking.
• Undercounter Appliances: Keep essentials out of sight.

The modern kitchen is all about flexibility, making it a hub for family time or just enjoying a cup of coffee in peace. Here’s how you can make your kitchen more multi-functional:

• Dual-Fuel Ranges: Combining gas and electric elements, dual-fuel ranges allow you to cook multiple dishes at different temperatures simultaneously, making them a game-changer for busy kitchens.
• Built-In Coffee Stations: Elevate your morning routine by creating a dedicated space for coffee and tea. A coffee station that’s built into your kitchen not only saves counter space but also brings a touch of luxury.

This podcast sponsored by Monogram.Com

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 hiring a pro, this series will cover everything you need to know.

Tony Scuderi, a Flooring Design and Installation Consultant with Studio S Design Group, joins me again today to continue talking about tile installation.

Today’s Topics:

• How to prepare laying out the tile
• The process of removing old tile and prepping floor
• Measuring the room and where to start laying out the tile

You can email any questions you might have to [email protected]

This podcast sponsored by Monogram.Com

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:

• Freestanding tubs – Statement bathtubs in sculptural shapes for a luxurious feel.
• Wet rooms – Open, seamless shower and tub areas with floor-to-ceiling waterproofing.
• Floating vanities & cabinets – Sleek, modern look that enhances space and easy cleaning.
• Spa-inspired bathrooms – Calming colors, organic materials, and wellness-focused designs.
• Open, airy layouts – Minimal partitions, glass enclosures, and light-enhancing designs.
• 
  

This podcast sponsored by Monogram.Com

Email any comments or questions you might have to [email protected]

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 home is ultimately a matter of preference and necessity. Along with location, housing needs and price, a home’s age and state of livability will play a major role in both your immediate homebuying and long-term homeownership experiences.

These are important points to ponder:

•  Lifestyle limits
•  Location of house and condition of support infrastructure
•  Future repairs and upgrading to meet local building codes
•  Efficiency, insulation, heating & cooling... Cost of maintenance
•  New home warranty vs old home warranty purchase
•  Is a remodel necessary?  Major renovations?
•  Mature landscaping – nearing end-of-life?
•  Finishes – window, floor, back-splashes, baths/showers, laundry, etc.
•  Roof – Greater than 10-15 years is a concern
•  Lighting – Incandescent vs. LED
•  Presence of lead paint or asbestos?
•  Aluminum wiring vs. copper
•  Plastic vs. galvanized vs. copper plumbing
•  Plumbing – copper vs. plastic piping?
•  Your lifestyle

This podcast sponsored by Monogram.Com

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.  

These topics will be so helpful to anyone with plumbing issues:

• Garbage Disposals
• Dishwashers
• Hard Water
• Drain Cleaners
• Toilets
• Water Shut-offs
• Plumbers are professionals

This podcast sponsored by Monogram.Com

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 you need to know.

My guest for the series is Tony Scuderi, a Flooring Design and Installation Consultant with Studio S Design Group. Tony's career began in the tile and stone industry working side by side with his father and brothers in the family commercial tile and stone contracting business "Arizona Ceramic Tile Contractors" (formerly Scuderi Brothers Tile and Marble).

The experience and expertise he gained from an early age in commercial and residential tile and stone installation set the stage for successful future endeavors. 

Today's Topics:

Importance of Tile Selection

1. Ceramic Tile  Pros / Cons
2. Porcelain Tile Pros / Cons
3. Natural stone Tile Pros / Cons

Setting Materials

1. Basic Thin-set
2. Medium Bed Thin-set
3. Premixed Thin-set
4. Grout - Sanded / When to use
5. Grout - Unsanded / When to use
6. Epoxy Grout / When to use

You can email any questions you might have to [email protected]

This podcast sponsored by Monogram.Com

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 podcasts for home design.

This information will be sent to everyone who puts their email on the DesignersCircleHQ.com site.

DesignersCircleHQ.com is a website and can always be accessed on line.

*New posts will be added frequently, and as usual, new podcasts are published weekly.

This podcast sponsored by Monogram.Com

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 are planning on remodeling or replacing tile, know what's popular in today's market:

⁠⁠Monogram Appliances⁠⁠

email comments & questions to [email protected]

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:

⁠⁠Monogram Appliances⁠⁠

email comments & questions to [email protected]