Welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy! I’m Nancy Before we begin I am going to ask you to subscribe on the platform you use to listen to my podcasts.

Have you noticed that summer is moving quickly so we have the perfect subject – trends for outdoor living. It is not just about a stand-a-lone grill on a concrete slab and a picnic table. Outdoor living has become a, luxurious extension of the indoor home.

To break down exactly what is trending, what materials actually survive the elements, and how to design a spectacular outdoor culinary space, I have the perfect guest today. Joining me is Gil Olachea from Ceramica, Scottsdale, Arizona.

The biggest shift we’re seeing in 2026 is the transition to multiple cooking zones and methods or appliances, heavily mimicking how indoor kitchens are designed – something you know a bit about! Instead of just one primary grill doing all the heavy lifting or cooking in a gazebo, pergola or patio, layouts now include distinct zones for prep, cooking, baking, storage and serving.

Replacing the traditional grill, utensil cart(s) and fold-up table has become very popular trend. I’ve seen outdoor kitchens that are better equipped and laid-out than their indoor kitchen.

The main topic of discussion was the aesthetic and surface materials for the outdoor kitchen.

The materials of choice are, primarily, easy clean & maintenance. Aesthetic is a close second. And material manufactures are attune to this so they’re making products that address both of these key aspects! Such as porcelain, large-format tiles for the floors and complimenting surfaces for island & cabinet fascia. Regarding color palettes, it becomes personal preference but the trends are leaning toward the warm earth tones.

We talked about best, high-performance countertop materials for an outdoor kitchen that won’t fade, crack, or burn someone’s hand when the sun hits it. We broke down the best materials in various parts of the country and what to avoid in each area.

We talked in depth about the materials today and wanted to spend enough time on the outdoor kitchen layouts and also the very important safety factors when you are planning your outdoor project. That is why this topic will be continued on July 20th. This is so important if you are planning to create an outdoor kitchen area.

Thank you for listening to Home Design Chat with Nancy. If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe, share it with friends and family, and join us next time as we continue exploring the latest ideas, innovations, and trends shaping the homes we love.

You can contact Nancy with any questions or suggestions for the show: Nancy@nancyhugo.com Check out her website: NancyHugo.com

If you are interested in design new, trends and more, check out https://designerscirclehq.com/.

Designers Circle is a website that could be accessed anytime.

Hi everyone, and welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy. Before I start, I would like you to please subscribe on the platform you use to listen to my podcasts.

My subject today is one of the most exciting—and sometimes overwhelming—projects: a kitchen renovation.

Most homeowners who have ideas and plans to remodel their home don’t start the project in the middle of the summer when their kiddos are on summer break or when the family goes on vacation.

Instead, the remodel project starts in September right after summer vacation is over.

If you want your project to be completed for your Thanksgiving dinner or for the Christmas holidays, now is the time to start doing research.

The reality is that successful kitchen renovations begin long before demolition day, and definitely before you contract with a kitchen designer and a general contractor.

Today I'm going to walk you through the most important things to consider before you start your kitchen renovation so you can avoid costly mistakes, stay on budget, and end up with a kitchen you'll love for years to come.

These are questions you should ask yourself before you start your research:

• Why do you want to remodel
• What are your wants and needs
• What is your realistic budget
• Does your existing layout work for you
• Do you have enough storage
• Is your lighting adequate
• Does your ventilation work
• What appliances are on your wish list
• Can you cope with disruption
• Know what to look for in hiring professionals

Before you start your kitchen renovation, remember this: the best kitchens aren't necessarily the most expensive kitchens. They're the kitchens that work beautifully for the people who use them.

A successful kitchen renovation should improve your daily life every single day. That's what great design is all about.

Thank you for joining me today on Home Design Chat with Nancy.

If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to subscribe, share the show with friends and family, and join us next time as we continue exploring ideas, trends, and practical advice for creating homes that are beautiful, functional, and designed for the way we live.

You can email me at Nancy@nancyhugo.com with questions. Check out my website: https://nancyhugo.com/ For great design ideas and trends go to https://designerscirclehq.com/

Hi everyone and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy. Can you believe that ½ the year is gone?

Please subscribe & comment on the platform you are using. I would really appreciate it.

I was a little off schedule last week and didn’t get to do a podcast but I’ll make up for that by talking about a very interesting subject that every homeowner, designer, and remodeler has experienced at some point—and that is design regrets.

We’ve all had those moments where we look back and think:
“What was I thinking?”

But here’s the interesting thing about kitchen trends. Most trends aren’t actually bad when they first appear. In fact, many trends solve a problem happening at that specific time. They reflect what homeowners wanted emotionally, culturally, and even financially. The problem starts when trends become extreme.

And kitchens are especially vulnerable because they are expensive to remodel. Unlike paint colors or furniture, kitchens are long-term investments. So when a trend burns out quickly, homeowners are often stuck living with outdated choices for years.

Today I’m talking about five kitchen design fads we’re actually glad are gone—. Some of these trends completely dominated magazines, television shows, and model homes. Others were pushed heavily on social media. And while some still exist in smaller ways today, they’re no longer controlling kitchen design the way they once did.

Every era has trends. Twenty years from now, people may laugh at some of today’s kitchens too. What matters is understanding WHY these trends faded and what lessons we can learn before investing thousands into a remodel.

Here are the 5 trends to say good-bye to. Listen to the entire podcast for my reason for each one:

• Tiny Mosaic Tile Countertops
• The Over-the-top Tuscan Kitchen Era
• Appliances Garages
• Extreme Open Shelving
• All Gray Kitchens

The take-a-way from this podcast is that a beautiful kitchen is not just about appearance. It’s about how it functions for your life. Trends become dangerous when people stop asking practical questions, but the kitchens that survive trends the best are the ones designed around the homeowner—not around what’s currently viral online.

Maybe after this episode, you’ll look at old kitchen photos a little differently—and maybe even appreciate how much kitchen design continues to evolve.

If you want to learn more about me you can check out my website: NancyHugo.com and if you have any questions for me, just email me at Nancy@nancyhugo.com

Please subscribe to my podcast and don’t forget to share them with your friends.