Home Design Chat with Nancy

Welcome back to Home Design chat with Nancy. I am excited to have Chris and Melanie Sparks with Kurk Homes join me today.

They are a third-generation, full-service custom home builders based in Texas, known for blending thoughtful design, family legacy, and top-tier craftsmanship, and they are a brother & sister team.

Kurk Homes is the only Southern Living Custom Builder in the Houston and Texas Hill Country area building to a ce...

Welcome back to Home Design chat with Nancy. This is the place where you learn everything about your home, what the current trends are, how to design, plan and execute your remodel and much more.

Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica, a Scottsdale wholesale tile showroom for designers and their clients is joining me today. 

It's going to be 2026 very soon so our subject today is the new trends for 2026.  Are they really new? 

We will e...

Welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy.  I am your host Nancy Hugo.  This is the place where you learn everything about your home, what the current trends are, how to design, plan and execute your remodel and much more.

Today, we’re talking about a design feature that just about everyone has an opinion on — the kitchen island. 

Some people think it’s essential, others say it’s outdated. It was so common to see peninsulas in kitc...

Welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy.   This is the place where you learn everything about your home, what the current trends are, how to design, plan and execute your remodel and much more.

Your roof takes a beating every season—scorching hot summers, heavy snowfalls, and everything in between.  But how do you know if the roof is really holding up? 

Charlie Holquin, Sales & marketing director for Big Red Roofing, is my gu...

Welcome back to Home Design chat with Nancy.   

Every week we explore the latest trends, timeless styles, and practical solutions for creating a home you’ll love. 

We share expert tips, inspiring ideas, and real conversations with industry pros to help you make smart, stylish choices for your space.

Whether you’re planning a full remodel, a quick refresh, or just curious about what’s hot (and what’s not) in design, you’ll find it all...

Welcome back to Home Design chat with Nancy.  This is the place where you learn everything about your home, what the current trends are, how to design, plan and execute your remodel and much more

If you are wanting to do a simple kitchen or bath remodel before the holidays, now is the time.  And by the way we have exactly 3 months til Thanksgiving. I say simple remodel because the major remodels will take time. 

 So if that’s what yo...

If you are wanting to do a simple kitchen remodel before the holidays, now is the time –  I said simple because the major remodels will take time so if that’s what you had on your wish list – do your homework now and prepare to start in January—after the holidays.

If you are not familiar with the term Kitchen triangle, work triangle or the golden triangle, at the end of this podcast you will know everything about this term.

• What ...

You have all heard the expression, "Learn from other people's mistakes." 

Today my topic is about items homeowners specified but after living with these products, the truth is told. 

If you decide, after listening to my podcast, that you still want to use these ideas/products, that's fine, because it's your home.  You make your own choices. 

If you have any comments or want to share your experiences, please em...

In this episode of Home Design Chat with Nancy, Nancy welcomes back Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, for a lively and candid conversation about today’s most talked-about design trends.

Together, they dissect what the public is loving—or leaving—in home design, and how these choices really play out in function and long-term value.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why the kitchen island sink is both loved and loathed

• T...

In this episode, I will get into one of the most critical steps in any successful remodel or construction project: hiring the right general contractor.

Whether you're planning a kitchen remodel, a bathroom upgrade, or a full home renovation, choosing the right GC can make or break your project. I discuss the essential questions to ask, what red flags to avoid, and how to tell if a contractor is the right fit for you.

Some of my talk...

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...

In this episode of Home Design Chat with Nancy, Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, Az, talks about everything you need to know regarding the care and maintenance of your tile.

Gil is a tile expert with decades of experience and often co-hosts this podcast sharing his knowledge on many subjects.

After spending the time and money on tiling your home, either by doing it yourself or by hiring contractors, Gil and I thought it...

In case you haven’t noticed, time is passing quickly and it’s hard to admit that we are all aging.

Whether you're planning ahead or have already noticed some day-to-day challenges in mobility, vision and strength for yourself and/or for your loved one, designing your forever home should include smart spaces that are safe, stylish, functional, and comfortable.

Today I am going to talk about ideas for your home that will help to ke...

Today, I’m excited to welcome a special guest to the show — Ray Smith, a talented kitchen and bath designer based in Phoenix, Arizona.

Not only is Ray a general contractor & owner of Precision Design & Cabinetry, but he has also built a reputation for creating beautiful, functional spaces that truly reflect his clients’ lifestyles and personalities.

With a keen eye for detail and a passion for smart, stylish design, Ray is ...

I am excited to have Munir Turunc as our guest today. 

Munir is the CEO of Marble Systems which was started in 1982.

Marble systems brings the finest natural stone to the design & architectural community specializing in high-end residential, commercial and hospitality projects.

Munir has led Marble Systems for nearly 40 years, transforming it into one of the most respected and design-forward names in the natural stone industry.

...

If you’ve ever dreamed of updating your bathroom and tiling your shower yourself, this episode is for you.

Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, explains the step-by-step process of tiling a shower from a DIY perspective.

Whether you're working on a small stall or a large walk-in, this guide will help you understand what materials and tools you’ll need—and walk you through the job with confidence.

Gil lists what tools an...

We all love a clean home but I don't know anyone who has the time to spend hours cleaning. 

The trick is to design your home with easy maintenance in mind, unless of course you love to clean. Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica, joins me in the topic of high design vs low maintenance. 

We will give you ideas on what to substitute for the following high maintenance items:

• Crystal  and ornate chandeliers
• High maintenance furniture
• Ope...

We’re seeing wallpaper used strategically—in powder rooms, accent walls, ceilings, and even closets. It’s no longer about covering every wall in floral prints. It’s about statement-making, and adding texture, dimension. And personality to your home.

Whether you want a bold statement wall or a subtle touch of elegance, the right wallpaper can completely change the look and feel of your room.

Today I will explore why wallpaper has made...

Welcome back to our special series: Tiling like a Pro. 

This podcast explains everything necessary for you to complete your tile backsplash project. 

Of course, Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, is back to give the final  instructions for your backsplash project.

If you missed previous podcasts on "tiling like a pro, you will find them posted on Designers Circle, Spotify, NancyHugo.com and several other platforms.

G...