Home Design Chat with Nancy

By Nancy HugoArts Design

Home Design Chat with Nancy episodes

August 11, 2021 Zillow! Ya Gotta Love It!
Zillow has become an addiction for me and millions of others! And why not? We can peek into homes for sale, we can get design ideas, and we can see how other people live.
My guest this week is Karen Hockley, Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer and owner of Kitchens by Karen, LLC, located in Enola Pennsylvania. Karen and I have fun chatting about some of the outlandish and ridiculous things people do to their homes.
This podcast sponsored by Thermador Appliances & Monogram Appliances
email comments to [email protected]
Listen to Nancy’s other podcast: Hugo Floss
A conversation with a creative Mom and her Nerdy Son
Topics include everything BUT design.
24 min
August 04, 2021LAMINATE OR FORMICA – WHICH IS IT?
The many choices for countertops can be mindboggling, so my intention was to explain all the different materials and include the pros and cons of each one. Unfortunately I didn't get passed explaining laminates, but on a positive note, this podcast answers all the questions you might have on plastic laminates.
Countertop materials
Before the 1920's

After the 1920's
The Winchester House
About

Countertops
Laminate countertop
How it came to be

Competition

Manufacturing

Grades

Finishes
Painting Laminate
The Pros of Laminate
Budget friendly

Easily available to you.

Good for people who change decor often

Good for low traffic areas

Easy to Install
The Cons of Laminate
Easy to Damage:

Undermount sinks are not easy to install so top mount is the common sink application

Not good for Resale
This podcast sponsored by Thermador Appliances & Monogram Appliances
email comments to [email protected]
Listen to Nancy’s other podcast: Hugo Floss
A conversation with a creative Mom and her Nerdy Son
Topics include everything BUT design.
20 min
July 28, 2021Do this BEFORE investing in a Swimming Pool
It happens after every Olympics! Kids get excited about sports and want to be the best they can be and parents want to provide what is needed for their little future Olympian. Nancy's guest is Jay Littman, Lead salesperson & designer at Desert Tropic Custom Pools and Spas in Peoria, Arizona. Jay is a champion diver and medal winner who has spent more hours in the water than most people, so he knows all about pools. Check the show notes and learn what to ask when you are planning to have a pool in your backyard.
What type of pools are available

The costs of

different pool types (including hidden costs)

And advantages/disadvantages of each

The construction timeframe and process

Size, shape, and design

Is tile necessary

Cool deck vs other material

Landscaping - what kind of vegetation is the best

How to find a good pool contractor

What kind of maintenance does a pool require

How to make a pool kid safe
This podcast sponsored by Thermador Appliances & Monogram Appliances
email comments to [email protected]

Listen to Nancy’s other podcast: Hugo Floss
A conversation with a creative Mom and her Nerdy Son
Topics include everything BUT design.
35 min
July 21, 2021HANG UP OR DELETE
We have done several podcasts about scamming and guarding against being hacked. Chris Diamond and Nancy are going to do it again! It seems that these annoying phone calls and scams are are very creative, in addition to catching people off guard.
By listening to this podcast you will learn:
How to avoid being scammed

What to look for or listen for

Red flags

Who won’t ever call you

What to do if you think you fell for the scam
This podcast sponsored by Thermador Appliances & Monogram Appliances
email comments to [email protected]
Listen to Nancy’s other podcast: Hugo Floss
A conversation with a creative Mom and her Nerdy Son
Topics include everything BUT design.
38 min
July 14, 202110 Signs you have a Great Contractor
Prices of homes are skyrocketing and causing people to remodel instead of relocating. So where do you start? After working with a designer, finding a general contractor begins the process of your project. Nancy explains the 10 most important things to look for when finding a contractor.
Does the contractor have an office

How did you find the contractor?

Check references

Offered you a discount

Contractor required both homeowners at meeting

Doesn't require payment in full to start

Gives start and completion date

Offers warranties, etc.

Has current state contractor's license

Has proof of insurance & workmen's comp
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This podcast sponsored by Thermador Appliances & Monogram Appliances
Also sponsored by NancyHugo.com
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email comments to [email protected]
*
Listen to Nancy’s other podcast:
*
Hugo Floss A conversation with a creative Mom and her Nerdy Son
Topics include everything BUT design.
26 min
July 07, 2021The Best of . . .DON’T BELIEVE WHAT YOU HEAR ON HGTV
This is show was prerecorded October 13, 2020 and is one of our more popular shows. Hope you enjoy it!
This week Nancy chatted with Jan Rutgers, founder of Vestabul Design School, about the positives and negatives of HGTV and how it affects our clients. Follow the outline on our conversation:
Biggest complaints from the industry
Unrealistic budgets

Unrealistic timelines
Biggest misconceptions from consumers
This is entertainment not representative -A lot of the drama is fabricated

Many of the front people are actors not professional designers

Good on camera with a huge team behind them doing all the work
What are the Positives HGTV has done for the Kitchen Design Industry
They have brought awareness to the kitchen industry as a whole

Showing examples of showpiece kitchen; open concept living

Make a new kitchen highly desirable

They introduce new decor style such as Modern Farmhouse

Makes it easy to access get-the-look products across the nation

The create demand for high end products

Gas ranges, quartz counter, custom hoods, apron front sinks, wine fridges

They introduce unique design solutions: banquettes, using furniture pieces, artisan pieces

Easier to convince consumer to try something different

Some shows experiment with more adventurous color combinations

Shows can’t always repeat the same look show after show so tend to mix it up

Clients can be more willing to break away from the all white kitchen
Changes that are occurring
Not all of the decor shows are following the formula that insists on drama

More realistic timelines and budgets are being discussed
People have been watching a lot of HGTV during the pandemic
Kitchen designers need to be aware of the shows their prospects are watching

Be prepared to take advantage of the buzz.
email questions to [email protected]
27 min
June 30, 2021Are you Tankless?
How important is water to you? Doug Schramm, Co-owner of Exclusively Tankless, is Nancy's guest this week. Doug is all about water - Tankless water heaters and filtration systems and will explain the advantages of these units.
Tankless Water Heaters
What is a tankless water heater vs a typical water heater?

Electric and Gas tankless?

Who manufactures these units? Where are they made?

How big is the unit? Can it go in a closet?

Is it cost saving?
Whole house Water Treatment System
More healthy than softened water systems

Reduces calcium and scale in pipes & fixtures

Tastes better

Different from RO system
This podcast sponsored by Thermador Appliances & Monogram Appliances
email comments to [email protected]
Listen to Nancy’s other podcast: Hugo Floss
A conversation with a creative Mom and her Nerdy Son
Topics include everything BUT design.
31 min
June 23, 2021Don't pick up that Paintbrush yet!
Unless you are a professional painter, knowing what paints and finishes to apply to walls, ceilings, cabinets, etc. can be very confusing. Laurie Clark, Senior Designer Accounting Executive with Sherwin-Williams covering Arizona and Las Vegas, chatted with Nancy about what we should know regarding paints. Before you pick up that paint brush, listen to our conversation.
Some of the questions Laurie answered:
For the do-it-yourselfers, what is the most difficult part of painting the interior of the house?

Is oil-based paint popular? Where can you use oil-based paint?

Should the soffits be painted to match the ceiling color or wall color?

What color should the ceiling be painted?

Should the whole soffit - sides & bottom - be the same color?

What is the best paint finish for a kitchen? For a bathroom?

Should the master bedroom and master bath be painted the same color?

Can each room be painted a different color?

When there's an accent wall, what color should the other walls be?

What finishes should the bedrooms, and living & dining rooms be?

What are the most popular paint colors for this year?

What paint should be used for cabinets?
This podcast sponsored by Thermador Appliances & Monogram Appliances
email comments to [email protected]
Listen to Nancy’s other podcast: Hugo Floss - A conversation with a creative Mom and her Nerdy Son
Topics include everything BUT design.
42 min
June 16, 2021Are you still waiting for your New Appliances?
Why are we waiting so long for appliances to be delivered after they are ordered? This question is answered by Jacob Bledsoe, District Sales Manager with Thermador. Nancy and Jake also discussed the history of Thermador and some of the appliances they invented and also introduced the new appliances for 2021.
Thermador's History and "Firsts"
Thermador is part of BSH Home Appliances Corporation, a fully owned subsidiary of BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, the second largest appliance manufacturer in the world.

The Thermador brand specializes in cooking appliance equipment such as ovens, ranges, cooktops, refrigerators and dishwashers.

Thermador invented the first wall oven and cooktop, and introduced stainless steel to home appliances.[2]

By 1948, Thermador introduced the first "Pro Range" for residential use.[3] Patterned after commercial restaurant equipment,

Thermador developed the first home version warming drawer in 1952, a handy kitchen appliance that keeps dishes and foods warm while the oven is being used.

Thermador continued to improve on kitchen appliances with the first self-cleaning oven in 1963.
Exciting News for Thermador
Star Dry System in our Dishwashers

The 48” Steam Range w/ 6 Gas Star Burner’s and an Induction Griddle.

New Double and single ovens

Free-standing French Door Refrigerator
General Advice for making appliance purchase decision.
You should be selecting appliances very early in the design process and be ready to make a down payment on your appliances and verify that your appliances are ordered with your dealer.

Make sure to provide the dealer with updates as your project progress as to when you’ll need the appliances so they can make sure appliances will be available.

For many, COVID is over but the economic effects will be here to stay for many years to come without a significant drop in demand appliances. Many manufacturer’s will be having price increases.

So the moral is order your appliances as early as possible, up to 4-5 months and earlier for most major appliance brands or be prepared to take whatever your dealer can get
This podcast sponsored by Thermador Appliances & Monogram Appliances
email comments to [email protected]
44 min
June 08, 2021Are you a Fan of these Design Trends?
Just because designers say so, it isn't necessarily true. Nancy bantered with Jay Shennum, an independent Kitchen Designer, about the different trends some designers are pushing for 2021. Do we agree with them? Listen to find out
Colored stone countertops
Colored stone transitioning from backsplash countertop.

Beige travertine stone, classic white, white or pink.
Timeless all-white kitchens
Traditional all-white kitchens will still remain popular.

Warm, cozy, all-white kitchens
Statement backsplashes
Bold in pattern and color
Kitchen with personality
Accessories: Houseplants, stack of books

Floating Shelves
Mixed materials
Colors inspired by nature, cabinets clad in metal, and countertops with dramatic veining.

Show off mixed metal kitchenware: hang pots from overhead hooks
Art Deco Kitchens
Black-finished cabinets and floors

Brass and gold accent hardware
Integrated appliances
Integrated or hidden kitchen appliances
Nancy's Notes: These are important elements in creating a bright and airy space. Plenty of light, finishes that don't feel heavy and a spacious layout. Make the space your own.

This podcast sponsored by Thermador Appliances & Monogram Appliances
email comments to [email protected]
Listen to Nancy’s other podcast: Hugo Floss
A conversation with a creative Mom and her Nerdy Son
Topics include everything BUT design.
37 min

About Home Design Chat with Nancy

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Home Design Chat with Nancy Hugo, certified kitchen designer, covers all aspects of every room in the home. Kitchens, baths and whole-house remodeling, appliances, plumbing fixtures, flooring &…