Home Design Chat with Nancy

Welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy, where we tell you the truth about what’s happening in the design world—what’s worth your money… and what’s just taking up space.

Today, I’m going talk about some of the biggest product trends from the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show 2026—in Orlando, Florida.

This kitchen show is not open to the public but there are several ways to actually see the products without going. Or you could just listen to me. I am going to give you my honest opinion of some items.

Let’s get into it.  

• Workstation Sinks
• Rev-a-shelf cabinet accessories
• Open Shelving in kitchens
• Charging Countertops
• Kohler Dekoda monitoring device
• Free standing tubs

While innovation is exciting…The smartest designs are still the simplest ones.

So before you jump on any of these trends, ask yourself:

• Will I use this every day?   Workstation sinks, large cooktops and ranges
• Does it simplify my life—or complicate it? Are you confused with technology
• And most importantly… is it worth the cost?  We have talked about the ROI before.  Do your homework

Because good design isn’t about having more. It’s about having what actually works.

If you’re planning on a renovation, I would definitely be happy to work with you. You can email me anytime at [email protected]—I’d love to hear from you.

Welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy, where we talk about real homes, real projects, and real results.

Today’s episode is a little extra special because my daughter is joining me to talk about her kitchen remodel which, of course, I designed and executed.  Tami will describe why she decided to remodel the original kitchen and what the problems were.   Sharing a real experience from the homeowner is incredibly helpful for homeowners. 

We also talked about:

• What problems the original had
• What was on her wish list
• How the new kitchen design fits her lifestyle
• What features are her favorite
• The total remodel experience

If you’re planning on a renovation, I would definitely be happy to work with you. You can email me anytime at [email protected]—I’d love to hear from you.

If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com  And finally, visit DesignersCircleHQ.com, a website I started 18 years ago. It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more. The site is updated every other week. 

This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy, where we talk about what’s really happening in today’s homes—and more importantly, how to make smart decisions before you spend a dollar.

Today’s episode is one that every homeowner needs to hear before starting a kitchen remodel…

kitchen upgrades with the WORST return on investment.  Those things that look amazing, cost a fortune… and don’t give you your money back.

Too many times homeowners spend thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, on features that either:

• don’t add value to your home
• don’t function well 
• or worse… actually hurt resale

Some of the topics I will cover:

• The over the top luxury appliances
• Fully custom cabinet
• Too much open shelving
• Backsplashes that take over
• ...and much more

The best kitchens balance:

• function
• longevity
• and thoughtful design

Before you spend money… ask yourself: “Is this going to improve how I live in my kitchen… or just how it looks?”

Because the kitchens that truly hold their value…Are the ones that work beautifully.

If you’re planning on a renovation, I would definitely be happy to work with you. You can email me anytime at [email protected]—I’d love to hear from you.

If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com 

And finally, visit DesignersCircleHQ.com, a website I started 18 years ago. It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more. The site is updated every other week. 

This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy! I’m Nancy Hugo, and today we’re diving into a kitchen trend that is quietly—but very powerfully—changing how we think about design.

Today is Wednesday, April 8th.  I have always published my podcasts on Monday but somehow Monday & Tuesday disappeared. I had too much on my plate and finally got some stuff accomplished.

I think it’s interesting to know some things about the podcasters I listen to so today I am going to share some background about me before I jump into today’s subject. You will have to listen to this podcast to learn about me!!!

Today, the subject is the unfitted kitchen. 
These are my talking points: 

• Why is it called that?
• What makes a kitchen unfitted
• The furniture pieces to use
• The pros & cons of the unfitted kitchen
• Who should take advantage of this design style 

If you’re planning on a renovation, I would definitely be happy to work with you. You can email me anytime at [email protected]—I’d love to hear from you.

If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com  And finally, visit DesignersCircleHQ.com, a website I started 18 years ago. It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more. The site is updated every other week. 

This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time on Home Design Chat with Nancy.

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy, where we talk about everything you need to know before you design, build, or remodel your home.

Today we are diving into a trend that is absolutely everywhere right now—and that is Zellige-style tile.

You’ve probably seen it all over Instagram, in kitchens, bathrooms, even entire shower walls… that glossy, slightly uneven tile that just glows.

But here’s the question— Is it really as great as it looks?

And more importantly… is it right for your home?

So today, Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, Arizona, is back with me to help break it all down—because this is one of those products that looks simple… but is definitely not simple when it comes to installation.

Our topics today are:

• What is Zellige Tile?
• Why everyone loves it
• The Reality check
• Cost & expectations
• Maintenance & function
• Where to use it & where not to use it
• Smart alternatives

If you’re planning on a renovation, I would definitely be happy to work with you. You can email me anytime at [email protected]—I’d love to hear from you.

If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com  And finally, visit DesignersCircleHQ.com, a website I started 18 years ago. It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more. The site is updated every other week. 

This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time on Home Design Chat with Nancy.

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy, where we talk about what’s trending, what’s timeless, and what actually works in your home. 

If you are new to this podcast, I am Nancy Hugo, a certified kitchen designer, with a passion for design. Hence the podcast which I have been doing for 12 yrs.

My subject today is kitchen renovations for aging in place.

Whether you’re in your 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond, designing a kitchen that works for you long-term is one of the smartest things you can do. And the worse thing is to not have a kitchen that is hard to work around because you didn’t make these easy alterations.  Have you noticed that no one is getting younger.  

Aging in place isn’t about getting older… it’s about getting smarter with your design.

Here are my talking points:

• What does Aging in Place really mean?
• Why are homeowners prioritizing renovations for aging in place now?
• Floor Plan
• Work Zones
• Cabinetry that works for you
• Appliances that make life easier
• Safety features
• Small Changes making a big impact

Design your kitchen for the life you want to live—not just the one you’re living today. When you plan ahead, you’re not limiting your future

If you’re planning on a renovation, I would definitely be happy to work with you. 

You can email me anytime at [email protected]—I’d love to hear from you.

If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com  And finally, visit DesignersCircleHQ.com, a website I started 18 years ago.

It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more. The site is updated every other week. 

This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time on Home Design Chat with Nancy.

Hi everyone and welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy, where we talk about everything that makes your home more beautiful, functional, and fun.

Today we’re diving into one of the most talked-about topics in home design right now — paint.

If you’ve spent even five minutes scrolling online lately, you’ve probably seen conversations about color trends, color drenching, color capping, and bold new ways to use paint in your home. Paint may be one of the least expensive design changes you can make, but when it’s done right, it can completely transform a space.

And when it’s done wrong… well… let’s just say we’ve all seen those DIY disasters.

That’s why today I invited an expert. My guest is Jaron Cook, owner of Painting Butler, and if that name sounds familiar, it should. In February, his partner Nick Elg owner of the Flooring Butler joined me to talk about flooring trends.

Here are the topics we cover in this podcast:

Why Paint is Trending Right Now
Painting Mistakes Homeowners Make
Paint Finishes Explained
Should You Paint Cabinets
How to Pick the Right Color
How Long Should a Paint Job Last?
Professional vs DIY
Quick Painting Tips

For more information about Painting Butler check out the website: paintingbutler.com

If you’re planning on a renovation, I would definitely be happy to work with you. 

You can email me anytime at [email protected]—I’d love to hear from you.

If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com 

And finally, visit DesignersCircleHQ.com, a website I started 18 years ago.

It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more. The site is updated every other week. 

This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time on Home Design Chat with Nancy.

Picture courtesy of Sherwin-Williams

Hello everyone and welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy, where we talk about kitchens, baths, remodeling, and all the things that make homes more beautiful and more functional.

Today we’re talking about something that every kitchen has, every homeowner obsesses over, and every designer gets a million questions about…Kitchen countertops.

And specifically — the biggest countertop trends for 2026.  Some are exploding in popularity…and a few that were huge five years ago are definitely starting to fade.

Here are the materials I am covering – and the pros and cons of each:

• Quartz
• Porcelain
• Granite
• Quartzite

Why the big shift in color?

The popularity of the Traditional Kitchen look

If you’re planning on a renovation, I would definitely be happy to work with you. 

You can email me anytime at [email protected]—I’d love to hear from you.

If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com 

And finally, visit DesignersCircleHQ.com, a website I started 18 years ago. It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more. The site is updated every other week. 

This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time on Home Design Chat with Nancy.

Welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy, where we talk about what’s trending, what’s timeless, and what you should absolutely avoid in your home.

Today is March 2nd and the topic is one of the most permanent decisions you will ever make in a remodel — TILE.

We’re talking Tile Trends for 2026 — what’s hot, what’s fading, what designers are specifying, and what homeowners are requesting. And back with me is Gil Olachea— tile expert, trend watcher, and the man who sees what’s actually selling before the rest of us do. By the way, Gil owns Ceramica, a wholesale tile showroom in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Tile topics we explain in this podcast:

• Tile  Colors for 2026
• Textures & Dimensions
• Rustic Finishes & Earthy Patinas
• Patterns
• Natural & Stone Looks
• Large Format Tile & Slabs
• Bath & Shower Tile Trends
• Kitchen Tile Trends
• What's Out for 2026

If you’re planning on a renovation, I would definitely be happy to work with you. 

You can email me anytime at [email protected]—I’d love to hear from you.

If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com 

And finally, visit DesignersCircleHQ.com, a website I started 18 years ago. It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more. The site is updated every other week. 

This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time on Home Design Chat with Nancy.

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy, where we talk about what’s really happening in home design— and what is important to you as a homeowner.

Today we’re tackling a topic that’s changing kitchens everywhere — induction cooktops, specifically the next-level of Induction Cooktops by Zepher. 

Our guest is kitchen tech expert Andy Welemin.  This episode is perfect for anyone thinking about a kitchen upgrade or curious about modern cooking tech.

Our topics are:

• What is Induction Cooking
• How is Induction powered
• What Makes the HyperCore cooktop different?
• Pros & Cons of Induction
• How to cook on HyperCore
• Cookware compatibility

If you’re planning on a renovation, I would definitely be happy to work with you. 

You can email me anytime at [email protected]—I’d love to hear from you.

If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com 

And finally, visit DesignersCircleHQ.com, a website I started 18 years ago. It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more. The site is updated every other week. 

This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time on Home Design Chat with Nancy.