Home Design Chat with Nancy
By Nancy Hugo
Home Design Chat with NancyMar 17, 2018
Mastering Kitchen Renovations: Understanding Cabinets, Countertops, and Sink Differences
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.
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Open Road Fun: Enjoying Life in an RV
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.
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White Cabinets & Stainless Steel Appliances are Never Leaving!
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.
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Tile Talk: Unveiling Trends of 2024
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.
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Monogram Introduces Luxury Appliances for 2024
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.
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Designing Bathrooms for Beauty & Safety
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
- Curb less showers
- Grab bars – backing for grab bars
- Handheld shower
- Steam shower
- Body sprays
- Shower chairs
- Non-slip flooring options
Vanities
- Roll under sinks, sinks with side drains
- Smart faucets
- Faucets off to the side
- Tilting mirrors
- Drawer storage with outlets
Toilet
- Bidet
- Standard or chair height to accommodate commode chairs
- Grab bars
- Shower curtains
Extras
- 4 foot turn radius
- Heat lamps
- Pocket doors/barn doors
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Safe, Smart & Sustainable Kitchen Innovations for 2024
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:
- Countertop heights
- Appliances
- Smart home features
- Storage solutions
- How to make it beautiful
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Designing for Safety & Independence
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:
- Why did Maegan start her interior design business?
- What are the different terms for accessibility? How are they different from each other?
- ADA design
- Universal Design
- Aging in place & living in place
- Barrier free design
- Why is accessibility important?
- Who this effects
- Why we should care
- Designing for the future
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Nancy Gets Interviewed by New York City Reporter
I have been interviewing various people who are experts in their field on my podcast for over 8 years. Last week I was given the change to be on the other side of the mic and be interviewed by Jill Nicolini, a reporter on WPIX 11 New York City.
It was certainly fun and interesting to be asked questions and chat about my expertise instead of me being the hostess.
I am sharing the interview which is the first of four podcasts I am scheduled to do with Jill.
Hope you enjoy this podcast and please let me know how you think I did.
By the way, pictured on this post is Jill Nicolini.
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Latest Design Trends from the 2024 Kitchen & Bath Show
The newest kitchen and bath ideas are always introduced at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show that was combined with the International Builders Show which was held in Las Vegas.
The combined attendance for both shows was over 117,000 people who viewed more than 2,400 exhibits and walked 678,000 square feet. Whew! That is a lot of walking.
Jason Miller, current president of the National Kitchen & Bath Association's Arizona North Chapter, is back with us to talk about the new trends and ideas that impressed him and will most likely be available in 2024.
Sustainability from many of the manufacturers seemed to be the common theme at the show. Jason talks about the sustainable methods from some of the manufactures and what we can expect in that forum.
Natural, warmer, calming colors seems to be prevalent in many of the booths but appliances and plumbing fixtures introduced their colorful items to add to the softer color palettes.
Jason also described cabinet ideas for kitchens and bathrooms and new applications for countertop materials.
Listen for more innovative, unique and fun ideas for your home.
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Out with the Old: Embracing Innovative Designs
Styles come and go constantly! Bell bottoms and crop tops are back and so is wallpaper, terrazzo flooring and floral patterns.
When it comes to remodeling your kitchen and bath, there are certain ideas that builders incorporated into their houses should never be brought back.
- Why did builders think putting a desk in a kitchen was a great idea.
- Those wet bars from years ago were not functional.
- I never saw 2 sinks in the kitchen when I was called in to remodel and update the space.
- Bathrooms designed with tubs in the ground and then later put in a deck made it dangerous and impossible to use.
- Make-up areas in the master bathroom was a total waste of space.
What's popular instead of the above ideas?
- Desks in home offices or closets
- Wet bars turned in to Beverage centers
- Multi sinks that are well designed for task areas in the kitchen
- Bathrooms with free-standing tubs
- Mirrors with integral LED lighting over the vanities
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Understanding Scams: Protecting Yourself and Others
Several years ago I had the horrific misfortune of being scammed. I wrote about this experience and published it to all of my social media platforms in addition to sending it out to everyone I knew.
I didn't want anyone to go through what I did. Many people has experienced this same scam all over the country and have been interviewed on news programs and for news articles. I have been asked to talk about it in an interview but chose not to relive it.
As I said on the podcast, if you want to know more about how I was scammed, email me at Nancy@nancyhugo.com and I will send you a copy of my story.
So why am I doing a podcast about the scams of 2024 on Home Design Chat with Nancy? Of course, it has nothing to do with design, but I feel it is so important to be aware of the scams that unsuspecting people get caught up in. It could happen to anyone.
My guest, Chris Diamond, is my web specialist and has helped be with some "mini" scams that I fell into when I was not careful. We will talk about 11 different scams that have caused victims to lose money.
Please listen to this podcast and share it with everyone you know!
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What Makes a Cabinet Perfect?
Many times designers and homeowners want unique items that sets their project apart from the norm. The difficulty is to find the craftsman that can make their design a reality.
Nancy's guest, Steve Appolloni, owner of EuroFe Remodeling, is just that person.
His background is very interesting and his creativity and knowledge of kitchen design and remodeling makes him a valuable asset to the projects.
EuroFe Remodeling is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, although their cabinets have been installed throughout the country.
Steve has patented an indestructible line of cabinets he calls Lifetime Cabinets. These cabinets are custom built in the USA, and have been installed in dormitories and fire stations.
The best way to appreciate Steve's work is to see it on his website: EuroFe.com.This podcast sponsored by
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Will These 2024 Kitchen Trends be Popular?
Trends are trends…they come and go. You might like some and you might not like others. Most trends aren't new.
They just pop up every few years. Some trends like carrara marble and navy blue cabinets are timeless but not every designer agrees.
Listen to find out if our guest, Jan Rutgers, owner and founder of Vestubal School of Design, and Nancy agrees with what the designers have to say.
- Curved Cabinets are back
- Windows for backsplashes
- Omit the upper cabinets
- Natural Stone is popular, but Quartzite will dominate
- Earthy tones
- Hidden Kitchens
Bottom line: It’s your kitchen, your home. Do what make you happy and what’s functional for you and your family
Ask yourself if you will you love it in 5 yrs!
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Are you Remodeling to Sell or Stay in your Home?
My last 2 podcasts are important if you plan on remodeling so if you haven't had a chance to listen, please do.
They were specifically focused on homeowners knowing more about remodeling and having a plan before the project gets started.
This podcast focuses on remodeling the kitchen and bathroom to get a better a return on your investment.
What sells a home
Renovation vs. Remodel - what is the difference
Planning to stay in the home or sell in the near future
Reasons to remodel your kitchen
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Don't Remodel Your Kitchen Without a Plan
We are 3 weeks into the new year and one of the common goals for homeowners is remodeling. They are anxious to have a new look by decorating or remodeling.
This week Nancy will talk about where to start a kitchen remodel for success.
- Have a plan before you start.
- Work with a professional
- Remodel should be timeless
- Have a functional floor plan
- Research main and secondary appliances
- Order appliances and cabinets
- Staying within budget
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What Homeowners Don't Know about Remodeling but Should
Many people welcome a new year with thoughts of remodeling. They got through the holidays and now is the time to remodel that kitchen or bathroom, but what should they know before tackling that project.
Ed Baney, General Contractor and owner of The Remodeling Firm, LLC, joined Nancy to chat about what homeowners don't know about remodeling but should.
- Renovations take time - the project can't be rushed. This is not HGTV!
- Be honest about the budget and know that whatever you think the budget might be, it will most likely be more.
- Being decisive saves time and money, change orders usually cost time and money.
- Work with professionals
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Your 2024 Home Facelift on a Budget
Today is January 7, 2024 and the first show for my 7th year doing this podcast sharing ideas for your home.
The subject for this podcast: most economical ways of giving your home a different look
Start with kitchen
- Changing out appliances –
- Paint cabinets, change hardware, add convenience
- Countertops
- Light fixtures
Bathrooms
- Paint cabinets, countertops, fixtures, mirrors
- New fixtures and accessories
Most economical way to make a difference
- Wallpaper and paint
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What to Know Before you Sign That Contract
Happy New Year! Hope 2024 is a healthy & prosperous one for you all.
Since I am on vacation, I am reposting a podcast that is full of information and will be very helpful before you think about remodeling.
Just a note: I have started a facebook page called "Home Design Chat with Nancy." After 6 years of podcasting this series, I thought it would about time. Please become a friend if you have a facebook account.
I will be back next week to start my 7th season.
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How Long Does It Really Take to Do a Kitchen Remodel?
Merry Christmas! Enjoy the best of Home Design Chat with Nancy.
If you are remodeling, I'm sure you have gotten many ideas from Nancy about planning, design and products.
Use a professional if you are not experienced in remodeling, or at least procure a designer to review your plans.
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I Can't Have More Fun than This!
Nancy gives a short summary of the 2023 podcasts and what to look forward to for 2024, and she gives a little tease for a special guest for the new year.
This is the time of year to spend with family and friends, and so Nancy can do that as well, she will publish "the best of . . ." for the next 2 weeks, and then return on January 7, 2024, with new podcasts.
Please subscribe on the platform you list to these podcasts. It is easy on your phone, iPhone or android makes it simple.
Wishing all a very happy holiday and a healthy and safe new year.
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The Perfect Suggestion for Gift Giving, or Maybe Not!
Finding a Christmas gift for friends and family is, many times, difficult and frustrating. If you chose the wrong gift it could go in the back of the closet until you visit that person. Then they could display for you to see, or if it's clothing, they could wear it while you are there.
The wrong gift could also be re-gifted unless you know the recipient of the re-gifted item.
It's a whole different ballgame when you give a plant for the holidays, or a birthday, or house warming. There is a whole list of questions before you purchase plants as gifts.
Joe Zanzerra, owner of Plant Solutions in Scottsdale, is back with Nancy to chat about plant giving as gifts.
We will discuss these plant topics and hopefully help you decide what plant to give or not to give:
- Are they plant lovers, do they have a green thumb, do they have allergies?
- Do they have time to care for houseplants?
- Is this their first plant or do they have several houseplants?
- Are there pets living in the house, if yes, we will talk about plants to avoid.
- Low maintenance indoor houseplants
- Plants that are toxic to pets and would not be a good choice for a dog & cat owners.
- Low maintenance indoor plants
- Plants that make good gifts
- Don't ask how the plant is doing, ever!
Solution:
Find a local nursery, buy a gift certificate and allow the recipient to choose his or her own beautiful houseplant.
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Design by the Numbers . . . What does that mean?
We are at the end of 2023. Where has the time gone. Seems like it was yesterday that we had to get used to saying the year "2000." It's all about the numbers and today Nancy will talk all about the numbers of kitchen design.
All the rules of design and the components having to do with the kitchen incorporates rules of design and the sizes of cabinets, appliances, etc. If you are remodeling or building a new home, you are either doing the design yourself or consulting with a designer.
You can not have a successful project without a plan or you will plan to fail.
Listen to Nancy explain what you should know about your project. Take notes to insure that you have a good handle on the necessary dimensions for islands, walkways, appliances, cabinets and lighting.
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2023's Trends that Have Impacted Design
Today we are going to take a look at what trends have had an important affect on our lives in 2023, and are here to stay.
Nancy discusses these trends with Jason Miller, who has been named Innovator of the year -2023 by Kitchen & Bath Design News. Jason did his first podcast in August and has become a regular podcaster with Nancy.
Several trends will be covered today but due to the time constraint, Jason will be back in the early part of 2024 to continue our discussion on this topic.
Home designs have been focusing on these trends:
- Aging in Place, universal designs and safety and convenience
- Sustainability and wellness in the homes as well as changes in space planning
Photo: DZ Design
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How Will the 2024 Colors Impact Your Life?
Hey, Everyone, I hope you read my weekly show notes which I hope are helpful to you.
This week I just want to let you know that we had a small tech problem 1/2 way through the recording, but don't give up, it only lasted a short while. You can let me know what your thoughts are.
Color impacts are lives more than we realize, so it's no wonder why the fashion industry, the design industry and even the automobile companies want to know what colors will trend for 2024.
Laurie Clark, the senior designer account executive with The Sherwin-Williams company, is back with Nancy to chat about the color forecast for the new year.
Laurie talk about the following:
- Tell us a little about what inspired the idea behind Anthology and how it’s different from the Colormix® Forecast as we’ve known it.
- What does this new approach mean for homeowners?
- What does Anthology do for them in their homes in a practical sense?
- There’s a lot of work that goes into developing this kind of report. Color marketing group How will we see Sherwin-Williams use these 48 colors throughout the year?
- How can you use the Color of The Year, Upward SW6239? Baby blue
- Where can people go to see these stories and colors? www.swcolorforecast.com
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How to Have Stress-Free Buffets For the Holidays
The holidays are here and what better way to celebrate than to entertain family and friends, but as we all know, it can be very stressful.
Dona Deslauriers joined Nancy to chat about ideas for small stress-free buffets using leftovers and even suggests what wines to pair with the food. By the way, fondue entertaining is back!
Dona is an event planner and caterer and has been working with Nancy on all her happy hours and holidays parties for the last 12 years. Dona also caters weddings among them, Nancy's
daughter's wedding which turned out amazing.
Dona also shares her ideas about decorating and recycling for the buffets. Don't miss this podcast, and subscribe to these podcasts and the platform you use.
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Photo by angela pham on Unsplash
2024 Kitchen Trends Explained.
Many of you are getting ready for the holidays so from now until Jan 2nd this is consuming your time, but for those thinking of remodeling, and I hope you are not going to start your project before January, I’m sure you are constantly thinking about and picturing your new kitchen.
Today I’ll talk about 2024 trends are for your kitchen and also talk about some timeless elements for the kitchen. In my opinion, some of these trends suggested by unnamed designers have been around for years. I have used many of these ideas and am glad that they are continuing to be used in kitchen design.
Whether you will be designing your kitchen yourself or with the advice of a professional designer, you will find these ideas very useful.
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How to Have Beautiful Tile and Stay in Budget
Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, AZ, is back with Nancy discussing tile, of course. Gil has a plethora of knowledge when it comes to tile so who better to discuss tile and budgets with?
Tile is one of the necessary finishes in today's homes so, of course, there are a lot of questions having to do with tile products.
Some of the the important questions homeowners have regarding tile:
- Difference in tile & prices
- Materials and prices
- Areas used with tile
- Formulate & fix a budget
- Minimize re-selection
- Selecting finish materials
- So-called standard sizes vs. made-to-order
- Off-the-shelf, on-hand vs. foreign/import vs. made-in-America
- Timing of need
- Impacting World Events Affecting Freight Shipping
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How Long Does It Really Take to Do a Kitchen Remodel?
One of the common questions on homeowners' minds is how long will it take to remodel a kitchen. It is probably the most complicated room in your home to remodel.
This is not HGTV…no it can’t be done in a day or a week.
Today Nancy answers that question and more:
- Lots of moving parts to the project
- Planning Is Key
- Average Timeline by Kitchen Remodel Type
- Factors That Affect the Kitchen Renovation Timeline
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Beautiful Tubs That Are Not Safe
Most of us want our homes to be beautiful, inviting, functional and safe. In this podcast Nancy talks about the safety issues of bathtubs and why many people should not be using tubs.
Pros & Cons:
Sunken Bathtubs
Drop-in Tubs Set in Decks
Free-Standing Tub
Solutions & Alternatives to bathtubs
All these educational podcasts are focused on your home
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Appliance Clarity with Chef Andrew: Clearing Up the Confusion
Are you wanting to make some upgrades to your kitchen but don't know where to start? Are you overwhelmed with what to choose to perfectly fit your lifestyle?
Because most people don’t make these decisions often enough to get good at it, Nancy's guest, Chef Andrew Forlines, is going to help to understand and navigate the appliance industry.
He has spent years in kitchen showrooms guiding countless clients through the appliance selection process.
He has been trained by all major appliance manufacturers on their products so he is able to share his knowledge and insights you need to make the appliance selection for your kitchen with confidence.
Our chat today includes:
Cooking Technology
- Market trends and future plans
- Steam Ovens, use and food science
- Induction vs. Gas, pros & cons
- Smart connected appliances
The home kitchen appliance selection and purchase process (Designer-client interaction regarding appliances)
- How to determine the best appliance portfolio for a kitchen
Chef Andrew's website: Appliance-academy.com
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Smart Home Synergy: Embracing the Future of Connected Living
Do you know what the Internet of Things (IoT) is? Are you familiar with security technology or are you just interested in the newest entertainment technology? Today Nathan Thomas, director of business development with Artisan systems, will answer all my questions about technology in layman's terms.
Internet of things (IoT)
Different items require various apps on your phone to operate each one. This is a great challenge when trying to do simple tasks and having to switch between these various applications.
Major players in the security industry
Large providers are trying to capitalize on providing more than just a security system. They will get their foot in the door by offering a free package of basic hardware that doesn’t even meet the needs for basic home security.
What you get with Experience
Make the home, smart and convenient by using one application to control all the various items in the home with ease of operation. The monthly bill is far less costly with the style of providing technology and the customer experience source through the roof.
Ease of Use
Your technology works together in harmony with one simple app on your phone or tablet to control each of these devices. And, they talk to each other!
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9 Colors to Stay Away From, or Maybe Not!
A new coat of paint can update a space with the swish of a brush but knowing what colors to use and what colors to stay away from is our subject today. Sarah Jones, Designers Services Representative for Dunn-Edwards Paints, chats with Nancy about how to get a timeless color palette for your home.
Sarah and Nancy goes through a list of 9 colors that designers say should not be used on your walls, but do they agree or disagree with these choices? Please email Nancy if you agree or disagree. Your comments are always welcome: Nancy@NancyHugo.com
The colors they discuss are:
- Gray
- Neon colors
- Red
- Off white
- Yellow
- Emerald Green
- Pastels
- Brown
- Purple
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What you Should Know about Kitchen & Bath Fixtures for your Remodel
There are so many choices for everything from food, to cars, to plumbing fixtures.
Today, my guest Bill Klingberg, the Southwest Regional Sales Manager for California Faucets.
Bill is going to answer questions that might be on your mind if you are not familiar with this brand.
Some interesting facts about this brand:
- Who started California Faucets?
- Where are this fixtures made?
- What sets them apart from other kitchen & bath fixtures?
- What does "from our hands to your home" mean?
- Do you have cabinet handles to match plumbing fixtures?
- Can homeowners customize their faucets?
- How many finishes are available?
- What is a split finish?
Listen and share these educational podcasts
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Have Happy House Plant with Help from a Pro
Whether you have a few plants on your window sill or a house full of greenery, you will want to listen to this podcast. Joe Zazzera, owner of Plant Solutions in Scottsdale, is back with Nancy to give advice on what can go wrong with your plants and how to keep them healthy and happy.
Some of the topic Joe covers:
- Yellowing leaves
- How to avoid root rot
- Easiest plants to grow
- Bringing plants in for the winter
- What happens when you move your Ficus
- Succulents and Cacti
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Don't Remodel before the Holidays Unless you do This
Labor Day means the end of summer when kids are back in school and homeowners are thinking about remodeling for the holiday celebrations. Not so fast. Nancy goes through the do's and don'ts about remodeling vs. renovating. What you should and shouldn't do before the holidays.
- Do you want to make the function of your kitchen better than it is now?
- Do you want to change appliances and plumbing?
- Do you want to do a major renovation?
Listen for the hints and ideas that will make your project successful and make you happy with the end result.
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Before You Do This, You Should Know All the Answers
Tile can improve your home's appearance, make maintenance easier and also increase your home's value!
But choosing tile can be overwhelming task, so Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, AZ, will explain what you should know before you enter a tile showroom.
Gil, who has been in the tile business for many years, suggests that when you are prepared to answer pertinent questions your tile showroom professional asks you, you will save not only time, but frustration and embarrassment as well.
Questions you will be asked in the showroom:
- Where is the tile going? Floor, walls, dry or wet areas, interior or exterior, bath, shower, steam shower or sauna
- Is the project commercial or residential?
- What size of tile are you looking for?
- What is the requested price point?
- What materials are you interested in? Stone, porcelain, ceramic, glass, metal, specialty
- What colors are needed?
- What texture is needed? Polished, glossy, honed, matte, antiqued, brushed or tumbled
- When is the tile required to be installed?
Listen to this podcast to learn what other important information you should know when looking for that perfect tile.
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You will Regret Using These in Your Kitchen
The summer is almost over and the kids are back in school, so now is a good time to plan your kitchen remodel. Nancy reviews several items that people regret using in their kitchen remodel and some items that Nancy feels would not be a good choice. Nancy reviews these items and offers other ideas.
Be sure to listen to this podcast before you make costly mistakes on your project.
Nancy talks about:
- Oversized island
- Pot filler faucets
- Pantries
- Workstation sinks
- Library Ladders
- Open shelving
- Bench seating
- Appliances
- Lighting
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These New Appliances are going to Amaze You!
Deron Rensen, Senior Area Sales Manger for Monogram Appliances, is back with us today.
Deron will chat with Nancy about all the great new ideas and appliances Monogram has added to make you, the consumer, have an amazing experience in your kitchen.
Pay close attention to the Forge, a new concept in cocktails, the changes in Monogram's dishwasher and the new induction range, which can be added to most kitchens easily.
This induction range will change your whole way of cooking with a smile.
Deron will be explaining the following:
New Induction Ranges with all the features
Dishwashers with lights and Wi-Fi connected features
Forge, an ice ball press for the perfect cocktail.
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Learn What Countertop Materials Not to Use.
If you are remodeling or changing out your countertops, listen to Nancy explain everything about Laminate, Corian and Tile countertops, especially if you are working on a budget for your remodel project.
- Nancy talks about the history of each material
- What the Property Brothers says about laminate
- What edge details are available for each
- Backsplashes for each material
- Sink applications
- Pros and cons of each material
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Listen to My Conversation with an Accomplished Interior Designer
We all love to delve into the minds of professionals and find out why they do what they do and how they got there. Today Nancy chats with Lynda Martin, owner of Camelback Interior Design, and a well-known award-winning interior designer in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Interior designers have a great eye for detail, insight on the latest design trends, and the experience to execute your dream home. If you're looking to avoid making costly mistakes, and in turn save money, time, and effort, hire an interior designer instead of trying to do up your home yourself.
Here are some of the questions I asked Lynda:
- Tell us a little about yourself and how you got started in this business
- What are the advantages of working with an Interior Designer
- What questions would you ask a client before working on his/her project?
- What do you consider more important between aestheticism and functionality?
- What do you consider the most challenging aspect of being an interior designer?
- As an interior designer, what is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
- Describe a project that you are most proud of.
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The Importance of Determining your Investment for your Kitchen Project
Remodeling has always been an overwhelming challenge for the homeowner, especially when it comes to budgeting for the project. Jan Rutgers, founder of Vestabul School of Design, is back chatting with Nancy about the importance of the consumer having a realistic budget to work with.
Jan has been working with a team of developers and designers on an app for this very subject and explains how it works for consumers as well as designers.
Some of the questions that Jan will address:
- Why this is important
- Why the “Let’s just design everything and see where we land” is not a viable option
- Options for developing an Investment Range for a Kitchen Renovation
- Average” Kitchen Remodel Numbers
- A New Way to Develop a Kitchen Renovation Investment Range
- All about www.Designalign.com
Sign up for a free 10-day trial but you can extend that to 30 days by using the coupon code VESTA.
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There is No End to Fabric
Did you know that fabric appears in every room of your home? You can't get away from it. Fabric sets the mood, adds interest to a boring setting and gives your room pizazz
Nancy chatted with Celia Schauble, the people person working with H & R Fabrics, a family-owned fabric shop in Phoenix, Arizona since 1965.
Celia talks about different fabrics and how to determine what fabric is best for your projects.
- Fabric trends
- Leather hides
- Where the fabrics originate
- Available to the designer as well as the consumer
- Will consult and ship fabric anywhere
They have a 20,000 sq. ft. warehouse stocked with fabric from Robert Allen, Dura Lee, Valdese, Waverly, PKaufmann, and many, many more. Everything you could possible want for your design project is available: Fabrics & trims, automotive or marine upholstery, tools and supplies
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These are NOT 2023 Kitchen Trends
Nancy debunks an article published in July, 2023 about kitchen trends. The author explains each trend which Nancy disagrees with. Listen to this podcast and decide if Nancy is right or wrong!
- Sleek and Minimalist Design
- Two-tone Cabinets
- Open Shelving
- Glass Front Cabinets
- Customized Storage Solutions
- Natural and Sustainable Materials
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Red, White & Blue for your Home
On this July 4th it's a perfect time to talk about color--specifically red, white and blue. The topic Nancy was originally going to talk about was how the white cabinets and white subway tile are timeless and versatile even though some designers are saying these items are on their way out for 2023.
More of Nancy's talking points:
- Subway tile's history
- Different ways to work with subway tiles
- White cabinets are here to stay
- Designing with red and blue.
- How red and blue affects moods and energy.
- Where to use red and blue colors
- What tones of red and blue to use
Photo: Billy Beson Company
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Know This Before you Remodel
Because we don't remodel our homes on a yearly basis, knowing what to do and when to do it is very important, but having a great team consisting of a knowledgeable and experienced general contractor is more important.
Tim Larson, owner of La Casa Builders, chatted with Nancy about the sequential steps in remodeling a residential project. From the planning stage to the project's completion is very rewarding.
Listen to this podcast to get ideas and thoughts before you sign that contract with your team.
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Is your Kitchen Dangerous?
One of the greatest challenges for a kitchen designer is to create a design that the customer appreciates aesthetically and simultaneously provides them with a functionally well designed kitchen. It’s equally difficult to just not make any mistakes. And sadly, that’s something very few kitchen designers can actually accomplish.
Paul McAlary, president of Main Line Kitchen Design in Bala Cynwyd, Pa. chats with Nancy about safety in kitchen design.
In the last few years, Paul said he has yet to pick up a kitchen trade magazine without a featured kitchen on either its front or back cover having major mistakes. Often they possess one of the fatal design flaws listed below:
- Wall cabinet, spice pull out or an appliance garage too close to the cooktop or range too close to the window
- Range or cooktop on the end of the run
- A range next to the exterior kitchen door
- Microwaves set too high
Listen for more kitchen design ideas to keep your family safe.
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Unlocking the Secrets of Organized Spaces: Exploring Garage Cabinets for a Clutter-Free Lifestyle
Welcome to "Home Design Chat with Nancy" – your go-to podcast for all things home design! In this exciting episode, we dive into the realm of garage cabinets and storage options, joined by the president and co-founder Aaron Cash.
Discover the secrets to transforming your garage into a stylish and organized space with expert advice from Aaron. From discussing the latest trends in garage cabinet designs to exploring innovative storage solutions, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical tips.
Join Nancy and Aaron as they delve into the world of garage organization, sharing Aaron's expertise, experiences, and inspiration along the way.
Whether you're looking to optimize your storage space, create a functional workspace, or simply revamp your garage aesthetic, this episode will provide you with the guidance and inspiration you need.
Embark on a journey towards a more organized and visually appealing garage with the expertise of Aaron Cash.
Photo: GarageLiving.com
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Designers say These Kitchen Trends are Out for 2023 - I Disagree!
A beautifully designed kitchen is essential for several reasons. Primarily, it is the space where we spend the most amount of time with family, cooking, eating, or even working. It's also important to keep in mind that the right kitchen can add to the resale value of a home.
There are several kitchen design trends going away in 2023, according to experts and interior designers, and of course, I will give you my opinion since I don't agree with most of them.
- All White Kitchens
- Open Kitchen Design
- Upper Cabinetry
- Matte Black Hardware
- Faux Finishes
- Tile Backsplashes
- Over the Range Microwave
- Carrera Marble
- Farmhouse-style Kitchens
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Budgeting for your Remodel Project
I am recording this podcast on the Memorial Day weekend when we honor and mourn the U.S. Military men and women who gave their lives while serving our country, and thank them for the freedom we have.
Many take advantage of this holiday weekend by having family picnics, taking trips or just relaxing at home. And some people spent this holiday weekend planning their remodel project,
If you are in the last group, you will be interested in the subject of this podcast: Budgets for your remodel project.
I will cover the following items that are most important to creating and budget and sticking to it.
- Decide how much you want to spend
- Know how the costs will break down
- Handling unexpected costs
- Where you will be during the renovation
- Controlling your spending
- Doing some of your own work
- Don't spend over your budget
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