Home Design Chat with Nancy

Holiday Best Of Home Design Chat with Nancy

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 way to enjoy a little design inspiration during the holiday season. So grab a cup of something cozy, sit back, and enjoy this Best Of holiday episode.Email me anytime at Nancy@NancyHugo.com.  I would love to hear from you.By the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Season’s Greetings from Nancy: A Holiday Hello & Thank You

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, we’ve talked about everything from kitchen and bath design to tile trends, safety, wellness, and how homes really function in everyday life.These  podcasts have always been about education — helping you make informed decisions, not just follow trends.Last January I started to focus more on homeowners and do -it -yourselfers, educating on every aspect of design and how-to’s. We did a series on installing tile yourself.  That was interesting.  I learned alot although I would not install myself. Gil Olachea became my co-host squeezing in time to podcast once or twice a month. I’m really excited about what’s coming up in 2026.Gil and I will have more honest conversations about productsThe  pros and cons — or as I call the good, the bad and the ugly.Biophilic designs, wellness and technology are definitely on everyone’s radarMy goal in 2026 is to keep this podcast useful, practical, and grounded in how people actually live.”I’ll be sharing a few ‘Best of Home Design Chat with Nancy’ episodes over the next few weeks — some of the conversations you’ve loved most and that are still incredibly relevant today.I’ll be taking a short holiday break, and I’ll be back with great new guests starting January 5th, 2026. I already have some interesting guests lined up, and I can’t wait to share them with you.Happy HolidayIf you have questions,  please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Is the New Cooktop Concept Worth It? My Honest Opinion

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 my traditional Italian cookies and pastry recipes but…this is not a cooking show, so I will stick with my subjects for your home.If you are remodeling any part of your home, or building a new home, or are in the middle of planning a remodel project, now is not the time to think about this.  Just relax. Watch Christmas movies, make ornaments & cookies with your kids and have fun.Several weeks ago I reviewed the walk in tub.  I shared my honest opinion on the pros and cons. Today I am reviewing  an interesting product for the kitchen.  I really like induction cooktops but this one by Invisacook goes a step further.How does it workPros & ConsVentilationCostI hope today’s episode on the pros and cons of a new product.If you have questions,  please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Christmas 2025: Top Decorating Trends and Must-Know Safety Tips

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy! I hope this is not the first time you are listening to my podcasts but if it is you will learn  all about your home…how to plan, design and execute your remodel and much more. my passion is about design and to educate….that’s my reason for doing this podcast every week.Today’s episode is all about giving you design inspiration and helping you decorate safely. We’re going to cover what’s trending in Christmas décor for 2025, what colors and materials designers are loving this year, and the safest way to create a beautiful holiday home without setting off the smoke alarm.If you want a holiday home that looks magical but is still safe for kids, pets, and your peace of mind, stay with me — this is your guide to safe and stylish decorating this Christmas.Check your lights before you use them to decorateDon't overload your outletsSafe decorating for outdoorsReal tree vs artificial treeCandles - the #1 hazardNow for the fun stuff:Warm Luxe meets WhimsyColor trends in decorating for the holidaysThe holiday metallic colorPastel colors for ChristmasBows everywhereTexture and more textureHandmade decorThe ambient glowMultiple treesI hope today’s episode gave you a mix of inspiration and practical ideas to make your home look beautiful and stay safe this Christmas. Decorating should be fun — and with a little thoughtfulness, it can be magical without becoming dangerous.If you have questions,  please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com. All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Kitchen Tile Trends 2026: What’s New in Colors, Textures & Materials

Hi everyone, welcome to Home Design Chat with Nancy. My podcasts are  all about your home…how to plan, design and execute your remodel and much more. As everyone who knows me will attest, my passion is design and educate….that’s my reason for doing this podcast every week.One of the most common questions homeowners ask is what are the new tile trends for 2026.  Gil Olachea, owner of Ceramica in Scottsdale, and a tile expert, is going to answer those questions.The tile trends are below.  Listen to the podcast for descriptions of each trend.Earthy & Biophilic Colors Large-Format & Slab Tiles Textured & Tactile Tiles Pattern RevivalMonochromatic & Matching GroutMixed Materials & Craftsmanship Natural Stone Effects Matte Finish Tile “Drenching”Checkerboard Modernized Historic & Artistic Touches If you have questions for me or for Gil Olachea, please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com