
TBT: What's Wrong With These Rooms?
15/1/2026 | 33 mins.
Betsy Helmuth discusses her pregnancy and family dynamics, shares tips for planning a baby party, and emphasizes the importance of deadlines for design motivation. She answers a listener's question about designing a multifunctional room and announces updates for Affordable Interior Design’s YouTube channel and social media. Timestamps: 0:00 Become a premium member for bonus episodes 1:17 Introduction and welcome by Betsy Helmuth 1:31 Betsy's pregnancy and family dynamics 2:38 Planning a baby party and design challenges 7:50 Listener questions 20:13 Penny from the UK seeking advice for a multifunctional room 29:59 Announcement for YouTube channel and social media 31:25 Closing remarks and thanks to sponsors - Hosting an event can be a great motivator to finalize home design decisions and push through lingering projects. - When a room serves multiple functions, it's essential to prioritize one primary purpose to guide the design and maintain cohesion. - Using an inspiration piece to establish a cohesive color palette and style can transform a disjointed space into a harmonious environment. Links: Uploft.com AffordableInteriorDesign.com Submit your design questions to be featured on the show Become a Premium Member and access the bonus episodes Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy. Get Betsy's book: betsyhelmuth.com/book For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com Follow Us: Instagram: @uploftinteriordesign Facebook: facebook.com/UploftIntDes TikTok: tiktok.com/@uploftinteriordesign LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/uploft-interior-design If you enjoy the show, please spread the word and leave a review on iTunes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trends That Are Out for 2026
13/1/2026 | 27 mins.
In this episode of the Uploft Interior Design Podcast, I talk about why I finally joined TikTok and how balancing entrepreneurship, family, and creativity pushed me to get help and commit to daily content, then I dive into interior design trends that are officially “out” for 2026. I share my honest reactions—sometimes agreeing, sometimes strongly disagreeing—on jewel-toned sofas, boucle fabric, mid-century modern overload, open-concept floor plans, chevron patterns, pastel palettes, and patterned fabrics like ikat. Drawing heavily from my own home, my clients’ spaces, and I explain which trends feel impractical, overdone, or limiting, and which I believe are timeless despite what “experts” say. I challenge the idea that entire patterns or styles can ever truly be out and encourage listeners to focus on longevity, functionality, and personal expression over trend chasing. Timestamps: 00:00 - Launching my TikTok journey 03:30 - Jewel-toned sofas: why they’re out and my own velvet-filled confession 07:45 - Boucle fabric trends and durability issues 13:20 - Mid-century modern overload and why furniture stores all feel the same 18:10 - Open-concept floor plans 25:40 - Chevron patterns 30:10 - Pale color palettes, pastels, and misuse of the 60-30-10 rule 34:50 - Ikat, prints, light wood finishes, and what I personally think is truly over Links: Uploft.com AffordableInteriorDesign.com Submit your design questions to be featured on the show Become a Premium Member and access the bonus episodes Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy. Get Betsy's book: betsyhelmuth.com/book For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com Follow Us: Instagram: @uploftinteriordesign Facebook: facebook.com/UploftIntDes TikTok: tiktok.com/@uploftinteriordesign LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/uploft-interior-design If you enjoy the show, please spread the word and leave a review on iTunes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ultimate Window Primer & HBO's "The Secrets We Bury"
08/1/2026 | 26 mins.
In this episode of the Uploft Interior Design Podcast, I begin by expressing my gratitude for the outpouring of support I've received after losing my beloved dog, Carson. I then dive into a design question from my friend Mike about choosing curtains for his living room, where I share tips on tackling tricky window treatments, particularly a bay window, and emphasize the importance of selecting the right rods and maintaining a cohesive color palette. I also suggest using a larger rug to enhance the space. In the latter part of the episode, I discuss the compelling true crime documentary "The Secrets We Bury" on HBO, which explores the dark secrets of a seemingly perfect family and the impact of denial and trust on their dynamics. Thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to sharing more insights with you next week! Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction and New Year Reflections00:01:09 - Design Question from Mike00:02:24 - Curtain Selection for a Bay Window00:05:03 - Choosing the Right Bay Window Rod00:07:00 - Hanging Curtains: Height and Placement00:12:47 - Final Tips for Drapery and Color Palette00:15:40 - Documentary Recommendation: Secrets We Bury00:20:34 - Closing Thoughts and Farewell Links: Uploft.com AffordableInteriorDesign.com Submit your design questions to be featured on the show Become a Premium Member and access the bonus episodes Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy. Get Betsy's book: betsyhelmuth.com/book For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com Follow Us: Instagram: @uploftinteriordesign Facebook: facebook.com/UploftIntDes TikTok: tiktok.com/@uploftinteriordesign LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/uploft-interior-design If you enjoy the show, please spread the word and leave a review on iTunes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TBT: Online Auctions and Finding the Perfect Pillows
06/1/2026 | 25 mins.
In this episode of the Uploft Interior Design Podcast, I open up about the loss of my beloved dog and how it has impacted my start to 2026. Instead of a typical episode, I decided to do a throwback focusing on throw pillows and online auctions. I reflect on my past year, the challenges of moving to Connecticut, and my desire to regain a sense of direction in my life and work. I share my newfound obsession with online auctions, recounting a humorous story about bidding on memorabilia from a house we considered buying, which I plan to gift to my husband. I also answer a listener's question about finding quality throw pillow inserts and covers, recommending various online resources. Lastly, I encourage listeners to participate in our contest by leaving a five-star review on iTunes for a chance to win my online interior design class. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - A Personal Reflection 00:01:05 - Post-Holiday Blues 00:06:05 - The Obsession with Online Auctions 00:10:29 - Auctioning Off Memorabilia 00:11:37 - Listener Question: Throw Pillow Inserts 00:14:05 - Shopping for Pillow Covers 00:15:09 - Etsy and Custom Fabrics 00:20:27 - Closing Remarks - Reflecting on the past year and setting goals for the new year can provide clarity and direction in both personal and professional life. - Online auctions can be a fun and budget-friendly way to find unique home items, but it's easy to get carried away and spend more time and money than intended. - When sourcing throw pillows, opting for down alternative inserts from stores like Pottery Barn and exploring unique pillow covers on sites like Etsy can yield high-quality and customizable results. Links: Uploft.com AffordableInteriorDesign.com Submit your design questions to be featured on the show Become a Premium Member and access the bonus episodes Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy. Get Betsy's book: betsyhelmuth.com/book For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com Follow Us: Instagram: @uploftinteriordesign Facebook: facebook.com/UploftIntDes TikTok: tiktok.com/@uploftinteriordesign LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/uploft-interior-design If you enjoy the show, please spread the word and leave a review on iTunes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TBT: Prioritizing Your Floor Plan and Dressing Weird Windows
25/12/2025 | 24 mins.
Betsy Helmuth introduces a premium membership, shares personal reflections on balancing work and an unexpected pregnancy, and answers listener questions about office space design and window treatments. She also announces a new YouTube channel and social media links. Timestamps: 0:00 introduction of premium membership 1:32 personal update on balancing work and family 3:24 reflections on unexpected pregnancy and motherhood 5:08 listener question from Les about office space design 7:55 prioritizing room functions and creating a floor plan 10:19 addressing visual clutter in the office 14:11 listener question from Kate about window treatments 17:21 detailed solution for Kate's window treatment dilemma 21:01 announcement of new YouTube channel and social media links - Creating a list of priorities for the functions of a room can help in determining the best floor plan and furniture arrangement. - Using a long rod with multiple brackets and floor-length curtains can effectively address high-set, awkwardly placed windows while maintaining privacy and aesthetic consistency. - Finding an inspiration piece and using it to guide color choices can help achieve a cohesive and visually appealing room design. Links: Uploft.com AffordableInteriorDesign.com Submit your design questions to be featured on the show Become a Premium Member and access the bonus episodes Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy. Get Betsy's book: betsyhelmuth.com/book For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com Follow Us: Instagram: @uploftinteriordesign Facebook: facebook.com/UploftIntDes TikTok: tiktok.com/@uploftinteriordesign LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/uploft-interior-design If you enjoy the show, please spread the word and leave a review on iTunes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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