Betsy Helmuth introduces the online class bundle and welcomes special guest Shannon Aldridge. Shannon shares insights about her family, life in Florida, and journey into interior design. They discuss the importance of software, Shannon's challenges, and her confidence with clients. Shannon offers advice for aspiring designers and details about her business. Sponsors are acknowledged before closing remarks.

0:00 Betsy Helmuth discusses the online class bundle 1:24 Introduction to the podcast 1:40 Special guest Shannon Aldridge from Florida 2:35 Shannon shares about her family and life in Florida 3:06 Shannon's journey into interior design 4:30 Why Shannon chose the academy 7:29 Betsy's experience training designers and the importance of software 17:11 Shannon's biggest challenge in the academy 21:56 Shannon's confidence with clients using IQVIA and mood boards 27:28 Advice for aspiring interior designers 33:58 Shannon's business and where to find her 37:44 Thanking sponsors and closing remarks

- You don't need a high-end designer or a lot of money to get a luxe look for your home. - Learning to source items from a variety of stores can elevate your interior design projects and showcase your value to clients. - Using contemporary software like IQVIA for design planning can significantly boost your confidence and impress clients with professional, visual presentations.

Additional show notes:

Click here to ask Betsy Helmuth a design question.

Click here to upgrade to a premium member and access the bonus episodes.

Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.

For more affordable tips, visit AffordableInteriorDesign.com.

For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com.

For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Betsy Helmuth discusses the benefits of premium membership, reflects on summer, and tackles client topics like modernizing condos, window treatments, art updates, and furniture with legs. She also answers listener questions on mixing metal finishes.

0:00 Premium membership benefits   1:26 Introduction and summer reflections   2:47 Starting with a client topic   3:15 Modernizing condos and apartments   6:18 Window treatment recommendations   7:59 Art and accessory updates   9:12 Furniture with legs   10:48 Moving to the mail bag   12:47 Mixing metal finishes

- Remove excessive window treatments that don't function to allow more natural light and achieve a cleaner, modern aesthetic. - Replace small pieces of art and accessories with larger statement pieces to minimize clutter and create a bolder, fresher look. - Choose furniture with legs to create a lighter, less heavy feel that aligns with contemporary design principles.

Additional show notes:

Click here to ask Betsy Helmuth a design question.

Click here to upgrade to a premium member and access the bonus episodes.

Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.

For more affordable tips, visit AffordableInteriorDesign.com.

For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com.

For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Betsy introduces the premium membership, shares her love for summer, and draws design inspiration from a Pilates teacher's outfit. She discusses summer activities, announces rebranding and team expansion, and answers listener Derek's renovation questions. Tips include kitchen design, mixing finishes, and painting doors boldly. She also announces a new YouTube channel and social media links.

0:00 Introduction to premium membership 1:26 Betsy's favorite season: Summer 2:09 Inspiration from Pilates teacher's outfit 3:29 Summer activities and listener engagement 5:07 Announcement of rebranding and team expansion 5:33 Mailbag: Derek's renovation conundrum 9:17 Advice on kitchen design and material choices 14:42 Discussion on mixing gold and stainless steel finishes 20:14 Painting interior doors in bold colors 28:17 Announcement of the new YouTube channel and other social media links

- Lean into your summer spirit by creating magical moments with outdoor dining and embracing fun, seasonal fashion. - When redesigning a space, focus on a cohesive color scheme and balance warm and cool tones for a more inviting and sophisticated look. - Space planning is the most crucial skill in interior design, ensuring a room functions well and feels comfortable, regardless of the aesthetic choices.

Additional show notes:

Click here to ask Betsy Helmuth a design question.

Click here to upgrade to a premium member and access the bonus episodes.

Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.

For more affordable tips, visit AffordableInteriorDesign.com.

For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com.

For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Betsy Helmuth shares summer updates, discusses managing office heat, and plans with her kids. She talks about rebuilding after a storefront flood, answers listener questions, and covers Tabitha's modern Boho redesign and open shelving in kitchens. Plus, a promotion for YouTube and social media.

0:00 Premium membership promotion 1:25 Introduction and summer update 2:28 Managing the heat in the office 3:06 Summer plans with the kids 4:15 Storefront flood and rebuilding 5:08 Listener questions submission process 5:44 Mailbag introduction 6:06 Tabitha's modern Boho redesign 11:28 Open shelving in the kitchen discussion 24:00 YouTube channel and social media promotion

- Incorporating heirloom pieces into your home can add a personalized touch, but sometimes moving them to a less conspicuous spot or restyling them is necessary to fit your aesthetic. - Layering rugs on top of wall-to-wall carpeting is generally not advisable unless the carpeting is very low pile, as it can create tripping hazards and won't sit well. - Open shelving in kitchens may look great in magazines, but in real life, they often require too much maintenance and can appear cluttered, making them impractical for most people.

Additional show notes:

Click here to ask Betsy Helmuth a design question.

Click here to upgrade to a premium member and access the bonus episodes.

Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.

For more affordable tips, visit AffordableInteriorDesign.com.

For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com.

For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Betsy Helmuth discusses premium membership benefits, ways to support the podcast, and exciting news about new visual content including a YouTube channel launch. She answers listener questions about banquette seating, nursery rugs, and ceiling colors, and provides updates on the interior design academy.

0:00 Premium membership benefits 0:31 How to support the podcast 1:26 Exciting news about visual content 1:51 Launch of the YouTube channel 4:25 Thriving interior design academy 6:14 Listener question from Irina about banquette seating 15:29 Listener question from Kelsey about nursery rug 26:37 Listener question from Tabitha about ceiling color 30:21 Announcement about YouTube channel and social media

- Adding a banquette can enhance dining comfort but may limit your table options and seating flexibility.  - Opt for mid-tone, low-pile rugs with subtle patterns to balance aesthetics and practicality in a nursery.  - Using a cool-toned white for ceilings can subtly complement wall colors without drawing attention to any imperfections.

Additional show notes:

Click here to ask Betsy Helmuth a design question.

Click here to upgrade to a premium member and access the bonus episodes.

Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.

For more affordable tips, visit AffordableInteriorDesign.com.

For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com.

For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Betsy Helmuth introduces guest Ashley Tapley, who shares her journey from marketing and graphic design to interior design. They discuss the importance of education, valuable tools from the academy, and combining staging with design. Ashley also offers advice for aspiring designers and marketing strategies.

0:00 Premium membership introduction 1:22 Podcast introduction 1:31 Guest introduction: Ashley Tapley 2:18 Ashley's background in marketing and graphic design 4:27 Ashley's journey from staging to interior design 6:10 Importance of education in interior design 8:55 Valuable tools learned in the academy 12:33 Combining staging with design projects 18:57 Academy experience and challenges 24:35 Using mood boards for client presentations 25:31 Doubling client load and marketing strategies 27:03 Advice for people hesitant to pursue design 31:23 Where to find Ashley online 32:37 Podcast closing and academy promotion

- Investing in professional tools and software like floor planning and mood boarding can significantly enhance your design presentations and client satisfaction. - Transitioning from staging to interior design can be more lucrative and personally rewarding, allowing for deeper, more permanent transformations in clients' homes. - Pursuing a passion for interior design, even after decades in a different career, can lead to a fulfilling and successful business with a dedicated client base and numerous referrals.

Additional show notes:

Click here to ask Betsy Helmuth a design question.

Click here to upgrade to a premium member and access the bonus episodes.

Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.

For more affordable tips, visit AffordableInteriorDesign.com.

For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com.

For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Betsy Helmuth shares her summer vacation in Maine, discusses Airbnb design tips, and lessons from booking vacation rentals. She answers listener questions about living room floors, family room makeovers, and fireplace wall design. Plus, a new YouTube channel announcement and sponsor messages.

0:00 Introduction to premium membership 1:26 Betsy's summer vacation in Maine 2:49 Airbnb experiences and the importance of good design 6:00 Booking vacation rentals and lessons learned 8:08 Listener question: Veronica's living room floor dilemma 15:02 Listener question: Rana's family room makeover 23:26 Listener question: Cindy's fireplace wall and design style 32:51 Announcing the new YouTube channel and social media links

- Comfort and safety in your living space are paramount, even when you're on vacation, so it's worth investing a bit more to ensure a restful and enjoyable experience. - When designing an open-concept living area, consider using drapes as an inspiration piece to introduce new colors and patterns, which can help balance the room's palette and add visual interest. - Avoid creating a heavy, dark atmosphere by incorporating lighter colors and different textures, such as stone or white mantles, to create contrast and brighten the space.

Additional show notes:

Click here to ask Betsy Helmuth a design question.

Click here to upgrade to a premium member and access the bonus episodes.

Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.

For more affordable tips, visit AffordableInteriorDesign.com.

For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com.

For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Betsy Helmuth discusses the perks of becoming a premium member, the aftermath of an office flood, and answers summer design questions. She addresses Renee from Atlanta's chair rail and backsplash dilemmas and Beth from Colorado's bold powder room query. Plus, updates on new YouTube and social media channels.

0:00 Becoming a premium member 0:31 Benefits of premium membership 2:00 Office flood aftermath 5:02 Answering summer design questions 5:35 Increase in client inquiries post-COVID 6:07 Renee from Atlanta's chair rail question 14:05 Renee's kitchen backsplash dilemma 20:25 Beth from Colorado's bold powder room question 29:03 Upcoming YouTube and social media channels

- Consider using smaller tiles for backsplashes in areas with limited surface space to maintain visual balance and scale. - When incorporating themes in design, choose fewer permanent elements like tiles and focus on easily changeable features like wallpaper or decor to ensure long-term appeal. - Balancing warm tones with cool colors in a room can create a more inviting and visually interesting space.

Additional show notes:

Click here to ask Betsy Helmuth a design question.

Click here to upgrade to a premium member and access the bonus episodes.

Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.

For more affordable tips, visit AffordableInteriorDesign.com.

For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com.

For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Betsy discusses the benefits of premium membership, shares her tough week dealing with water damage, and offers rebuilding tips. She answers listener questions on Spanish colonial design, kids' sheets, and living room layouts with corner fireplaces. Plus, new YouTube channel and social media updates.

0:00 Premium membership benefits 1:24 Betsy's tough week 3:02 Water damage incident 5:11 Rebuilding after a disaster 7:34 First listener question from Bailey 9:07 Tips for Spanish colonial design 13:48 Second listener question from Ashley 17:10 Recommendations for kids' sheets 21:11 Layout ideas for living room with corner fireplace 27:16 Announcement of new YouTube channel and social media pages

- Furniture arrangement should prioritize a comfortable viewing angle for both the fireplace and the TV, potentially using a sectional to address multiple focal points. - Incorporating muted jewel tones and a mix of contemporary patterns and textures can modernize a Spanish colonial design. - Printed sheets with different scales of patterns can add visual interest without overwhelming a room, and places like Pottery Barn Kids, Crate Kids, and Target offer great options for kids' bedding.

Additional show notes:

Click here to ask Betsy Helmuth a design question.

Click here to upgrade to a premium member and access the bonus episodes.

Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.

For more affordable tips, visit AffordableInteriorDesign.com.

For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com.

For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Betsy discusses premium membership benefits, dealing with rainy days and noisy neighbors, and the dilemma of renovating vs. moving due to high property taxes. She answers questions on bathroom flooring, kitchen backsplashes, and living room decor. Plus, an announcement about the new YouTube channel.

0:00 Premium membership benefits and bonus content 1:30 Rainy day and noisy neighbors in Westchester 3:44 Considering moving due to high property taxes 4:21 Today's theme: Renovations 8:29 Deciding between renovating or moving 10:10 How to submit questions for the podcast 11:02 Question about bathroom flooring choices 20:18 Question about kitchen backsplash and living room decor 29:09 Announcement: Affordable Interior Design YouTube channel

- Maximize your kitchen's visual impact by extending the backsplash all the way to the ceiling behind the range hood.  - Consider using a black marble tile with veining to add elegance and mask imperfections, rather than opting for a solid black backsplash.  - Use an inspiration piece, like a rug or patterned drapes, to unify your living room's color palette and introduce additional hues.

Additional show notes:

Click here to ask Betsy Helmuth a design question.

Click here to upgrade to a premium member and access the bonus episodes.

Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.

For more affordable tips, visit AffordableInteriorDesign.com.

For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com.

For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices