Today I am going talking about one of the most important — yet often overlooked — keys to a successful kitchen or bath project: trust and mutual respect between the homeowner and designer.

Too often, clients second-guess their designer by consulting salespeople, subcontractors, or even neighbors. But if you've done your homework, checked references, and feel confident in the designer's past work — then trust should naturally follow.

I’ll also share a very personal and powerful story: a kitchen remodel that transformed into a full house rebuild after a devastating fire. What started as a simple kitchen design turned into a multi-year journey of trust, collaboration, and creativity with my clients. You’ll hear about:

• Why clear communication and shared goals matter before any work begins

• How I balanced client wishes  with expert recommendations

• Design solutions that resulted in a highly functional, beautiful kitchen

• The collaborative process that helped bring unique features to life, such as a custom backsplash, furniture-style refrigeration, and a multifunctional outdoor space

This story illustrates the impact of a healthy designer-client relationship — one based on open communication, honesty, and mutual respect.

Go to my Youtube channel to view the video of the project I spoke about in this podcast:  https://www.youtube.com/@NancyHugo

Check out DesignersCircleHQ.com for all the latest in design.  Send me your email if you would like to have Designers Circle sent to you bi-monthly.

This podcast is sponsored by ⁠Monogram.com⁠

Please email me at [email protected] for questions and suggestions on design topics you would like to learn about.  If you want to learn more about me, go to ⁠NancyHugo.com