Home Design Chat with Nancy

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 distinction of being of the the fastest-growing privately held companies in the nation.

Keith explains what sets his company apart from other players in the hearth industry. 

By the end of this episode, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of the various types of fireplaces, their unique benefits and drawbacks, and practical advice on selecting the perfect fireplace to enhance your home's ambiance. Whether you seek the traditional charm of a wood-burning hearth, the modern convenience of gas, the flexibility of electric, or the sleek design of ethanol, this episode will help you make an informed decision.

Additionally, Keith will answer the following list of common questions:

This podcast sponsored by

⁠⁠Monogram Appliances⁠⁠

⁠⁠Studio 41⁠⁠

email comments & questions to [email protected]

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 before they think about getting a free, but not so free, renovation.

To be fair, the Property Brothers was using Cineflix as the production company during this unfortunate project, but has since started their own production company.  Whether or not they will be named in the lawsuit, is yet to be seen.

This is a good example of what you should know that you don't know before you do a remodel or renovation.  Most problems can be avoided by using the right people giving you the correct advice. 

Listen to this podcast to learn what you should know before you start your project.

This podcast sponsored by

⁠⁠Monogram Appliances⁠⁠

⁠⁠Studio 41⁠⁠

email comments & questions to [email protected]

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 frame and frameless cabinets and what the pros and cons are, and how they effect your budget.

Countertops is another area that the homeowner should be aware of and know the benefits of the different materials. Quartz and quartzite are becoming very popular in today's kitchen remodels.  How are these products differ and what you should be aware of when choosing your countertops.

Lastly, one of the most important items in the kitchen is the sink.  Sinks come in a variety of styles, sizes and materials.  Which sink would function in your kitchen is important to know.

Knowing all about the materials for your remodel before you start your project is very important; the decisions should not be left entirely to your contractor.

This podcast sponsored by

⁠⁠Monogram Appliances⁠⁠

⁠⁠Studio 41⁠⁠

email comments & questions to [email protected]

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 owners are Millennials, showcasing a growing trend in this demographic.

With RV ownership becoming increasingly prevalent, I wanted to explore this dynamic lifestyle. I am happy to welcome back Chris Diamond as our special guest. Chris has been by guest several times, chatting about how to avoid scams and explaining home automation, but Chris also possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in RV vacations.

Whether you're considering purchasing a new or used RV, or simply seeking valuable insights and tips from a seasoned RV enthusiast like Chris, Home Design Chat with Nancy is your go-to destination.

Tune in as we uncover the intricacies of RV living and gain valuable insights to enhance your RV experience.

This podcast sponsored by

⁠⁠Monogram Appliances⁠⁠

⁠⁠Studio 41⁠⁠

email comments & questions to [email protected]

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 trends in kitchen cabinets and appliances and what will always been timeless. 

Why are stainless steel appliances in 75% of the kitchens and why do some designers say that white cabinets are out? What appliances go with what cabinet finishes?

If you are planning to remodel your kitchen, don't miss this podcast.

This podcast sponsored by

⁠⁠Monogram Appliances⁠⁠

⁠⁠Studio 41⁠⁠

email comments & questions to [email protected]

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 sustainability, alongside a resurgence of artisanal craftsmanship that’s revitalizing traditional aesthetics. We’ll discuss everything from the emerging color palettes and textures to cutting-edge materials and manufacturing techniques that are set to dominate the tile scene.

Get ready to be inspired by the rich diversity and creative possibilities of tiles in 2024.

This podcast sponsored by

⁠⁠Monogram Appliances⁠⁠

⁠⁠Studio 41⁠⁠

email comments & questions to [email protected]

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 offer a glimpse at how the brand redefines personal luxury, Monogram guided guests through the Monogram Gallery to showcase artwork in different mediums by renowned artists to capture the thematic elements, like flexibility, seamlessness and performance, behind Monogram appliances.

Dan describes the new Monogram professional induction range and the 36" premium integrated bottom freezers,  He also described the creativity of the artists who designed the booths. 

This podcast sponsored by

⁠⁠Monogram Appliances⁠⁠

⁠⁠Studio 41⁠⁠

email comments & questions to [email protected]

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 emphasized when designing the areas of the home.  This podcast will cover bathroom designs.  

Subjects covered in this podcast:

Showers

Vanities

Toilet

Extras

This podcast sponsored by

⁠⁠Monogram Appliances⁠⁠

⁠⁠Studio 41⁠⁠

email comments & questions to [email protected]

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 difficult to work in this space.

Maegan will talk about the following points:

This podcast sponsored by

⁠⁠Monogram Appliances⁠⁠

⁠⁠Studio 41⁠⁠

email comments & questions to [email protected]

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 for designing for Living in Place, Aging in Place, Universal Design or simply put, designs for everyone, so it made sense to record 3 podcasts covering these issues.

This is the first of 3 podcasts covering barrier free designs.  If you are a designer or have specific challenges, you will find all the information and suggestions on these podcasts invaluable.

In this podcast we will cover the following:

This podcast sponsored by

⁠⁠Monogram Appliances⁠⁠

⁠⁠Studio 41⁠⁠

email comments & questions to [email protected]