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 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 ma...

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 ...

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...

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 ki...

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 m...

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...

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, tre...

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 cu...

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 homeowners.

Our subject today is a very important one  – everything you should know about LVT vs Hardwood vs Tile.

Nick Elg, owner of Flooring Butler in Platte City, Mo. Is my guest today. 

Some of our talking points for this podcast are:

• What is LVT/LVP and why is it so popula...

Hi everyone and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy., the place where you learn everything about design for your home.

Everyone wants to talk about finishes and colors, but the success of a home starts with decisions you don’t always see.

Steve Appolloni, owner of Eurofe Remodeling in Albuquerque & Santa Fe, New Mexico, is back to talk about the elements of your home that people underestimate. Steve is a remodeling exper...

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy, where we talk about what’s really happening in home design—

Today’s subject is "Are we over the open floor plan?" and "Why is the closed kitchen suddenly the biggest home trend of 2026?"

Short answer?  The open plan isn’t dead—but it’s definitely being re-designed. And the fully exposed kitchen we’ve lived with for the last 20 years? That era is ending.

...

Welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy. Today we’re talking about something that affects every homeowner—whether they realize it or not—and that’s accessible home design.

This isn’t about creating a home that looks clinical or institutional. It’s about designing spaces that are safer, smarter, and honestly… just better designed.

 I’m so excited to have Erica Sell, owner of Harmony Home Medical Supply in San Diego,  with me today...

Welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy, where we talk about smart design, real-world remodeling, and how to make better decisions for your home. Today’s topic is one I hear about all the time—and honestly, it can save you from some very expensive mistakes.

I’m joined by Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, and we’re talking about why your general contractor should not be your kitchen designer.

Our topics include:

• Des...

Welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy—the podcast where we talk about smart, functional, and beautiful design for your home.

Today is January 12th. Last week, my guest was Kirk Bianchi, a landscape design expert. He’ll be joining me again in a few weeks to answer your backyard design questions, so feel free to send those in.

Today’s topic is one that continues to spark debate in the design world: the kitchen work triangle. Some...

Today is Jan 5th, my first podcast for 2026.  We are enjoying the winter weather of Phoenix.. Don’t laugh we do get some cold weather but if we want to see snow we would go to Flagstaff.  We have that option, but no thank you. That’s the reason I live in Phoenix.

If you have snow on the ground, and in checking the weather, I know many places are being hit with cold, snowy weather, you are probably not thinking of landscaping. 

But j...

Happy holidays and welcome to a special Best Of edition of Home Design Chat with Nancy.

While I’m taking a short holiday break, I wanted to leave you with some of my favorite moments from the podcast I did about smart design ideas that help your kitchen feel more joyful  & functional rather than stressful and disorganized. 

Your job will be to look at and think of your kitchen with a critical eye so whether you’re decorating, rel...

Happy holidays and welcome to a special Best Of edition of Home Design Chat with Nancy.

While I’m taking a short holiday break, I wanted to leave you with some of my favorite moments from the podcast that I did with Laura Clark of Sherwin-Williams.  Laurie shared so much interesting information about the beautiful colors for 2026.   Whether you’re decorating, relaxing, or planning future home projects, this episode is the perfect w...

Hi everyone, and welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy.  As we get close to Christmas and the end of the year, I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for listening to my podcasts.

This year marks the end of 10 years of Home Design Chat with Nancy, 

When I started this podcast, I was worried about having enough information to share with you but It seems that I never run out of topics to talk about with you.  

Over the past decade,...

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy! 

Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are going to be here before you know it.  Whatever you celebrate, I am sure you have a lot to do before the big day or big week.. Decorating, gift shopping, planning the menu for family holiday dinners, and added to this, enough stress for 10 people.  I think stress naturally goes with holidays.  

I was actually thinking of sharing some of ...