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:

• Design vs building - What's the difference?
• Common problems
• Costly mistakes bias & product choices
• The best process for kitchen design
• The final takeaways

If you're planning on a kitchen or renovation, I would definitely be happy to work with you.

I currently have availability in February for kitchen and bathroom design projects. You can email me anytime at Nancy@NancyHugo.com—I’d love to hear from you.

And finally, visit DesignersCircleHQ.com, a website I started 18 years ago. It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more. The site is updated every other week.

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

This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time on Home Design Chat with Nancy.

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 Some designers are quick to say that the work triangle is outdated and no longer relevant for 2026 and beyond. This conversation has been ongoing for years, and it’s one I’ve been part of for a long time as kitchens—and the way we use them—have evolved.

Before talking about what may replace the work triangle, I want to step back and talk about where it came from. Most people I speak with have heard of the kitchen work triangle, but few know when, why, and how it originated. That curiosity sent me down a bit of a research rabbit hole.

In this episode, you’ll learn when and where the kitchen work triangle began, whose idea it was, and why it became such a foundational concept in kitchen design—as well as how it’s being reinterpreted today.

During the podcast, I mentioned that I would share a link about Lillian Gilbreth, whose work had a profound influence on modern kitchen design. I was truly impressed by her accomplishments and her life, which is why I spent some time discussing her contributions.

I also revisit zone-based kitchen layouts. I’ve talked about kitchen zones in previous episodes, but these concepts are worth repeating, especially as they continue to shape how we design kitchens today.

I hope you enjoyed today’s podcast. If you did, please subscribe on your preferred listening platform so you never miss an episode.

I currently have availability in February for kitchen and bathroom design projects. You can email me anytime at Nancy@NancyHugo.com—I’d love to hear from you.

And finally, visit DesignersCircleHQ.com, a website I started 18 years ago. It covers everything related to design and features updated podcasts, design trends, design news, and more. The site is updated every other week.

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time on Home Design Chat with Nancy.

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

This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

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 just think when the warm weather hits, you will have great ideas about what to do from my next guest.

Kirk Bianchi, owner of BianchiDesign.com, a custom luxury watershape and landscape design firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona, has been an outdoor living designer since 1991 after attending Az State University for architectural design.

Rather than becoming a contractor, he started his own design consulting business in 2000 where he has been sought out to create extraordinarily beautiful outdoor living spaces for both his discerning clients as well as architects to shape their work at the highest level.

Kirk received Master of the Southwest honorary in 2005 as his early debut in Phoenix home and garden magazine. Since 2021, Kirk has been sought out for being a design instructor and faculty advisor through Genesis, founded in '98 as an industry education platform that sets the bar in exterior design, from construction methods to design principles.

In this podcast Kirk will talk about the take-a-ways from the classes he teaches and what his goals are for the industry.

Also Kirk will explain the subjects of the outdoor design process and how he goes about to achieve them.

Listen for more incites Kirk talks about in this podcast.

Hope you are listening to my weekly podcasts to learn everything about your home, what the current trends are, how to design, plan and execute your remodel and much more

Please subscribe on the platform you use to listen to my podcasts.

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

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, 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.

Hope you are listening to my weekly podcasts to learn everything about your home, what the current trends are, how to design, plan and execute your remodel and much more

Please subscribe on the platform you use to listen to my podcasts.

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

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

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 products
• The pros and cons — or as I call the good, the bad and the ugly.
• Biophilic designs, wellness and technology are definitely on everyone’s radar

My 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 Holiday

If you have questions, please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.com

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

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 work
• Pros & Cons
• Ventilation
• Cost

I hope today’s episode on the pros and cons of a new product.

If you have questions, please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.com

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

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 decorate
• Don't overload your outlets
• Safe decorating for outdoors
• Real tree vs artificial tree
• Candles - the #1 hazard

Now for the fun stuff:

• Warm Luxe meets Whimsy
• Color trends in decorating for the holidays
• The holiday metallic color
• Pastel colors for Christmas
• Bows everywhere
• Texture and more texture
• Handmade decor
• The ambient glow
• Multiple trees

I 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.com

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