Hi Everyone, Welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy, where we talk about the things that make a home look great—but also make it work better.

Today the subject is pavers. If you don’t know what a paver is, you will be glad you listened because pavers are a very interesting product, but before we begin, please subscribe to my podcast on the platform you use to listen. I would really appreciate it.

Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, is back with me today. He will explain everything you should know about pavers.

Our topics covered are:

• What exactly is a paver
• Were can pavers be used
• Can pavers be used in the home
• What types of pavers are available
• The advantages & disadvantages of using pavers
• What is the difference between porcelain & stone pavers
• Does climate effect pavers
• Can installing pavers be a do-it-yourself project

Hope you enjoyed learning about pavers. As you know, Home Design Chat with Nancy is about educating all things important to the home. Please share these podcasts with your friends and subscribe on the platform that you use to listen to these podcasts.

If you have any questions or suggestions for a topic on the show, please email me at Nancy@nancyhugo.com.

Check out my website, NancyHugo.com to learn more about me and see some of my projects.

I have added a tab on NancyHugo.com for DesignersCircleHQ.com which is also a website. You can bookmark it and read it anytime. The subjects are interesting for people who take an interest in design and trends. The podcast is also posted there with a player that can be accessed anytime.

Hi everyone and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy where we talk about the things that make a home look great --but also make it work better.

Today we are talking about something that can completely change the look and feel of a room, yet is often one of the last things homeowners think about: window treatments. And when I say window treatments, I'm talking about a lot more than curtains.

My guest today is Jack Kim, the owner of Arizona Blinds Company in Phoenix, Arizona. Jack knows window treatments inside and out.

We're going to take a close look at the choices homeowners have, the pros and cons of each, and what you really need to know before you buy.

We're also going to talk about something I think is especially important: window treatments aren't just about how a window looks. They can affect privacy, light, energy efficiency, comfort, and even how functional a room is.

I think we're going to discover that there is a lot more to choosing a window covering than walking into a store and saying, "I like that one!"

Our topics will include:

• Common types of window coverings and the benefits of each.
• Custom vs ready-made window treatments
• Light and privacy
• Layering window treatments
• Motorization

There is so much more we wanted to talk about that time did not allow us to cover, so we are going to continue this subject in a few weeks.

Subscribe to Home Design Chat with Nancy so you don't miss everything about design especially if you are remodeling or building new.

If you have any questions for Jack or me, email me at Nancy@nancyhugo.com

If you want to learn more about me, go to ⁠NancyHugo.com⁠

You will find DesignersCircleHQ.com on my website or you can bookmark it since it is a website. It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more.

Hi everyone and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy.

Before I get started on the topic of the day, can you please subscribe to my podcast. I would really appreciate it.

Today we're talking about an item that most of us probably don't think about very much. Cabinets.

There is more to cabinets then the pretty door. There’s construction, materials, hardware, finish, storage and much more that you will know by the end of this podcast.

My guest today is Jeff Hunt, co-owner of Hunt’s Kitchen & Design in Scottsdale, AZ. Jeff & his brother Josh prioritize their business in creativity, quality and personal connection.

Some of our talking points today:

• Wood Species - does it really matter?
• Is one wood better than the other
• What is Rift Oak
• Face-frame vs. Frameless - which one is better
• Custom vs. semi-custom vs stock/box cabinets
• Does custom cabinetry make your kitchen better?

There are more topics about cabinets that time did not allow us to cover so we are going to continue this subject on September 14th when Jeff will be back with me.

Be sure to listen to learn more interesting things about cabinets you should know. Especially if you are remodeling or building new.

If you have any questions on cabinets, email me at Nancy@nancyhugo.com

If you want to learn more about me, go to ⁠NancyHugo.com⁠

You will find DesignersCircleHQ.com on my website. It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more.

Hi Everyone and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy.

If you are new to this podcast, I am Nancy Hugo, a certified kitchen designer, with a passion for design.

Today we're talking about an appliance that most of us probably don't think about very much.

The microwave. It's one of those things that's just...there. You put something in it, push a button, and a couple of minutes later, you're eating.

But when you're designing or remodeling a kitchen, the microwave can actually create some pretty interesting design questions.

The common questions are how big should it be & where should it go.

Here are the thoughts you should have when purchasing a microwave:

• Do you really need an enormous microwave
• When did bigger become better
• What do you use the microwave for
• Can you get away with a smaller microwave
• The different types of microwaves
• Where should the microwave go?
• Are Microwaves safe?
• Is smaller better?
• The microwave mistakes

I hope you learned things about microwaves you didn't know. If you have any questions, email me at Nancy@nancyhugo.com

If you want to learn more about me, go to ⁠NancyHugo.com⁠

You will find DesignersCircleHQ.com on my website. It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast on the platform you use to listen to podcasts.

I look forward to your comments.

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.

This podcast was first published on March 23, 2026, and I am sharing it today because it has great information and had great reviews.

Whether you’re in your 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond, designing a kitchen that works for you long-term is one of the smartest things you can do. And the worse thing is to have a kitchen that is difficult to work around because you didn’t make these easy alterations.

Aging in place isn’t about getting older… it’s about your home adapting to you.

Design your kitchen for the life you want to live—not just the one you’re living today. When you plan ahead, you’re not limiting your future. If you enjoyed this podcast, please share it and subscribe on the platform you use to listen to my podcasts.

If you’re planning on a renovation, I would definitely be happy to work with you. You can email me anytime at Nancy@NancyHugo.com—I’d love to hear from you.

If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com

You will find DesignersCircleHQ.com on my website. It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more.

I look forward to your comments.

Hi everyone, and welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy, where we talk about the ideas, trends, and practical choices that make our homes more beautiful, functional, and livable.

Today we're talking about a subject that almost nobody in the design industry wants to discuss.Some of today's most beautiful homes are also some of the most dangerous. I recently saw a bathroom in Veranda magazine featuring a gorgeous tub designed by Gabriela Eisenhart The topic of the article was about trends for 2027 that improve everyday living, so I thought this would be great to share with you on this podcast.

I have described the picture in depth to create an image of this room in your mind's eye. I came to the conclusion that this is a very dangerous tub design and may look great in a photo but is not safe or practical. The picture on my post is of the bathroom in question. I have to give credit to the photographer: William Abranowicz.

Let me know if I accomplished my objective about this tub design by emailing me your comments.

Kitchens also have safety issues which I talk about. Cooktops and stoves with no landing space, over-the-range microwaves, not enough walkway between islands and perimeter countertops and lack of lighting in kitchens are also hazard points discussed in this podcast.

I have pointed out dangerous and bad designs in several podcasts, but it worth reminding people who are looking to remodel that safety and function are as important as aesthetics.

If you enjoyed my podcasts, please subscribe on the platform you use to listen to podcasts. It’s very easy to do it on your phone. Go to the podcast app, search for Home Design Chat with Nancy and hit subscribe.

Check out my website, NancyHugo.com to learn more about me and see some of my projects. I have added a tab for Designers Circle where I update the blogs about Design trends, design news and things to know frequently.

Designers Circle was being sent out bi-monthly but instead I have added to my website.

Email me at Nancy@nancyhugo.com if you have an questions or comments.

Welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy, where we help homeowners make smarter design decisions—before they spend a dime.

My subject today is about t one of the hardest-working features in every home, yet one that's often overlooked until it's too late: you has at least one in your home. Actually you have more than one…it’s a sink.

Whether you're remodeling your kitchen, updating a bathroom, creating a dream laundry room, or adding a wet bar, choosing the right sink is about much more than looks.

The wrong sink can frustrate you every single day. The right sink can make everyday tasks easier, cleaner, and more enjoyable.

I'll walk you through the pros and cons of today's most popular sink styles and materials, what's trending in 2026, what's fading away, and the costly mistakes homeowners make when choosing a sink.

By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly what to look for—and what to avoid for your kitchen, prep sink, bathrooms, laundry room, wet bar and powder room.

Listen to find out what mistakes people make when choosing a sink and what's hot and what's not for 2026.

Whether you're cooking dinner, bathing your dog, washing paint brushes, or getting ready for work, your sink should make those everyday tasks easier. That's what great design is all about—choosing products that work as beautifully as they look.

Check out my website, NancyHugo.com to learn more about me and see some of my projects. I have added a tab for Designers Circle where I update the blogs about Design trends, design news and things to know frequently.

Email me at Nancy@nancyhugo.com if you have an questions or comments and don't forget to subscribe to my podcast on the platform you use to listen to podcasts.

Welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy! Last week my topic was the outdoor kitchen, a luxurious extension of the indoor kitchen. The main topic of discussion was the aesthetic and surface materials for the outdoor kitchen.

We broke down exactly what is trending, what materials actually survive the elements, and how to design a spectacular outdoor culinary space. Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica, Scottsdale, Arizona, is back with me to continue our conversation.

Today Gil and I will talk about a very important aspect of cooking on your outdoor kitchen. The safety factor.

Before we begin I am going to ask you to subscribe on the platform you use to listen to my podcasts

Having a beautiful space to prepare and grill your menu is important to most homeowners. More importantly is the safety factors, which is what we breakdown for your today.

Our topics are:

Location of your outdoor kitchen

• Wind direction
• Proximity to your house
• Covered patios
• Smoke & fire damage

Pros & Cons of different designs

• L-shaped design
• Straight design
• U-shaped design

Charcoal vs gas grills

• Health & safety factor

This is the perfect subject for everyone with a backyard. We emphasized the safety aspects of a backyard kitchen which is so important. Plan your project as you would your indoor kitchen for function and aesthetics so you can enjoy it throughout the year depending on your climate, of course.

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-- news, trends and more, check out https://designerscirclehq.com/.