Affordable Interior Design by Uploft

Staging to Sell and Rethinking Modern Farmhouse

I shared last week that we sold our house, and we sold for well over the asking price! As a designer, not only have I had amazing home stagers on the podcast but I also study staging a little bit. I dabble, but it is definitely a different skill set than designing. In The Academy, we have an amazing and very successful stager: Ashley Tapley of House Candy Home. She is based in California, but after a one hour Zoom session with her I am convinced that working with her is the reason we got to...

Dining Rooms and Before/After/Afters

April is upon us, and Spring is here at long last. We recently sold our house, and we’re all having mixed feelings about it. My husband and I are thrilled with the amount we got, but I’m feeling nervous because we don’t know where we’re going next. We’re giving up not just a house, but truly a member of our family. When I design homes for anyone, I want them to become more aligned with their home and to fall more in love with it. I want them to feel a sense of ownership and pride over their ...

Episode 323: Dining Rooms and Before/After/Afters

April is upon us, and Spring is here at long last. We recently sold our house, and we’re all having mixed feelings about it. My husband and I are thrilled with the amount we got, but I’m feeling nervous because we don’t know where we’re going next. We’re giving up not just a house, but truly a member of our family. When I design homes for anyone, I want them to become more aligned with their home and to fall more in love with it. I want them to feel a sense of ownership and pride over their ...

Episode 322: From Assistant to Interior Design Entrepreneur

This week I’m joined by a special guest, Courtney Clark. I love bringing you inspiring stories of people who made a major turn in their lives and decided to pursue their passions in interior design. Courtney is a recent graduate of The Academy and I’m so excited to have her on because I know her story is going to be filled with messages and ideas that will resonate with you. They might even inspire you to start your own journey toward becoming an interior designer! This episode, we discuss...

From Assistant to Interior Design Entrepreneur

This week I’m joined by a special guest, Courtney Clark. I love bringing you inspiring stories of people who made a major turn in their lives and decided to pursue their passions in interior design. Courtney is a recent graduate of The Academy and I’m so excited to have her on because I know her story is going to be filled with messages and ideas that will resonate with you. They might even inspire you to start your own journey toward becoming an interior designer! This episode, we discuss...

Episode 321: Leather Upholstery and Architectural Details

We finally did it! We decided to take advantage of the real estate bubble and put our house on the market. Not knowing where we are going yet is so discombobulating and distracting. As an interior designer, I need to design my next home. I also need to know what to take as I pack our current home. My heart is aflutter, but I am choosing to surrender and see what opportunities arise. I am going to have faith that the right thing will show up at the right time. I’ll let you know when it happen...

Leather Upholstery and Architectural Details

We finally did it! We decided to take advantage of the real estate bubble and put our house on the market. Not knowing where we are going yet is so discombobulating and distracting. As an interior designer, I need to design my next home. I also need to know what to take as I pack our current home. My heart is aflutter, but I am choosing to surrender and see what opportunities arise. I am going to have faith that the right thing will show up at the right time. I’ll let you know when it happen...

Betsy, Why Did You Become An Interior Designer?

Change is in the air! We are putting our house on the market, so we have to pretend that nobody lives there - but I do get to style my house every day before I leave. The business is getting a total rebrand, so things are starting to look different there as well. As I’m going through all these changes, I’m getting asked some big questions. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone back to basics here on the podcast. People often ask me how I got started and why I decided to become an interior de...

Episode 320: Betsy, Why Did You Become An Interior Designer?

Change is in the air! We are putting our house on the market, so we have to pretend that nobody lives there - but I do get to style my house every day before I leave. The business is getting a total rebrand, so things are starting to look different there as well. As I’m going through all these changes, I’m getting asked some big questions. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone back to basics here on the podcast. People often ask me how I got started and why I decided to become an interior de...

Episode 319: Interior Design Tips for Curtains and Light Fixtures

Happy March - and almost spring! The sun is out, the warm weather is coming, and I’m feeling alive. I’m jumping right into the mailbag today, and if you have burning questions please feel free to submit them for some free interior design advice: affordableinteriordesign.com/podcast   This episode, I answer questions about... [3:33] Buying window curtains and rods (Sabrina) [11:13] Keeping lighting fixtures cohesive within a transitional minimal style (Bee)   To see the accompanying...

Interior Design Tips for Curtains and Light Fixtures

Happy March - and almost spring! The sun is out, the warm weather is coming, and I’m feeling alive. I’m jumping right into the mailbag today, and if you have burning questions please feel free to submit them for some free interior design advice: affordableinteriordesign.com/podcast   This episode, I answer questions about... [3:33] Buying window curtains and rods (Sabrina) [11:13] Keeping lighting fixtures cohesive within a transitional minimal style (Bee)   To see the accompanyi...

Episode 318: Creating Your Unique Interior Design Career with Latoyia Smith

This week I’m joined by special guest, Latoyia Smith, who is a graduate from our Academy program. I’m excited to share her journey and her career aspirations. I’m sure her story will resonate with and inspire you, because Latoyia has one of the most inspiring stories to come out of the Academy.   This episode, we discuss… [2:15] Latoyia’s background and artistic interests [7:53] Making the leap to interior design [13:43] How Latoyia started and grew her business [32:53] Reinventi...

Creating Your Unique Interior Design Career with Latoyia Smith

This week I’m joined by special guest, Latoyia Smith, who is a graduate from our Academy program. I’m excited to share her journey and her career aspirations. I’m sure her story will resonate with and inspire you, because Latoyia has one of the most inspiring stories to come out of the Academy.   This episode, we discuss… [2:15] Latoyia’s background and artistic interests [7:53] Making the leap to interior design [13:43] How Latoyia started and grew her business [32:53] Reinventi...

Interior Design Trends for 2022

This episode is all about trends: what’s going to be in for 2022 and what’s going to be out.  You may be wondering why I didn’t record this episode in January, but the month totally got away from me. I’m in the middle of a rebrand, I had to move out of my office, and I’m moving out of my house to go, who knows where. There is a lot of transition, but also a lot of reflection. Today I’m sharing upcoming trends, because it’s never too late to incorporate trends into your space! I will also be ...

Episode 317: Interior Design Trends for 2022

This episode is all about trends: what’s going to be in for 2022 and what’s going to be out.  You may be wondering why I didn’t record this episode in January, but the month totally got away from me. I’m in the middle of a rebrand, I had to move out of my office, and I’m moving out of my house to go, who knows where. There is a lot of transition, but also a lot of reflection. Today I’m sharing upcoming trends, because it’s never too late to incorporate trends into your space! I will also be s...

Episode 316: Feeling the Interior Design Love

Happy Valentine’s Day week! Are you guys feeling the love? I am totally feeling the interior design love. Lately, I’ve been working on a lot of projects so I’ve been really busy.  The other night I was stuck on one of my projects, and I told myself that I needed to get up, move around, and stop looking at the computer. If I take the pressure off for a minute, by the time I’m done getting my refill of water (or grabbing some ice cream!) and I go back to the project, I have some inspiration. A...

Feeling the Interior Design Love

Happy Valentine’s Day week! Are you guys feeling the love? I am totally feeling the interior design love. Lately, I’ve been working on a lot of projects so I’ve been really busy.  The other night I was stuck on one of my projects, and I told myself that I needed to get up, move around, and stop looking at the computer. If I take the pressure off for a minute, by the time I’m done getting my refill of water (or grabbing some ice cream!) and I go back to the project, I have some inspiration. A...

Getting Inspired While Working From Home and Doing Laundry

Happy February! I hope you’re thriving and surviving the winter weather.  I’m no longer in my beautiful, magical storefront, and instead I’m working from my converted sunroom.  I’m struggling to feel inspired here, and things have felt really uncertain.  I’m sure you all can empathize with that feeling of being unsettled - but as an interior designer it is extra unsettling because everything from the office is in my basement in boxes.  When everything feels uncertain, it can be hard to fee...

Episode 315: Getting Inspired While Working From Home and Doing Laundry

Happy February! I hope you’re thriving and surviving the winter weather.  I’m no longer in my beautiful, magical storefront, and instead I’m working from my converted sunroom.  I’m struggling to feel inspired here, and things have felt really uncertain.  I’m sure you all can empathize with that feeling of being unsettled - but as an interior designer it is extra unsettling because everything from the office is in my basement in boxes.  When everything feels uncertain, it can be hard to fee...

Embracing Uncertainty (and Wood Paneling)

As we near the end of January, I’m watching the snow and hoping I will be able to travel again sometime soon. In the meantime, I’ve decided to plan a staycation where I can check into a hotel for two days, order room service, and never leave my space. I’m going to envision the new year, have a virtual dinner with some of my business friends, and take some time to unplug in the safest way possible right now. I hope you’re staying safe, and I hope you have things to look forward to as well. I’...

Episode 314: Embracing Uncertainty (and Wood Paneling)

As we near the end of January, I’m watching the snow and hoping I will be able to travel again sometime soon. In the meantime, I’ve decided to plan a staycation where I can check into a hotel for two days, order room service, and never leave my space. I’m going to envision the new year, have a virtual dinner with some of my business friends, and take some time to unplug in the safest way possible right now. I hope you’re staying safe, and I hope you have things to look forward to as well. I’...

Everything Old is New Again with Paige from Farmhouse Vernacular

This week I’m joined by a special guest, Paige from Farmhouse Vernacular. Paige’s content centers around a farmhouse she and her husband purchased four years ago, and they have spent the last four years renovating it to look as it might have looked when it was originally built. She has so many tips to share on how to incorporate historic pieces, without making a space look dated.   This episode, we discuss… [2:43] Purchasing antiques and shopping secondhand [5:51] Refurbishing old furn...

Episode 313: Everything Old is New Again with Paige from Farmhouse Vernacular

This week I’m joined by a special guest, Paige from Farmhouse Vernacular. Paige’s content centers around a farmhouse she and her husband purchased four years ago, and they have spent the last four years renovating it to look as it might have looked when it was originally built. She has so many tips to share on how to incorporate historic pieces, without making a space look dated.   This episode, we discuss… [2:43] Purchasing antiques and shopping secondhand [5:51] Refurbishing old furn...

Episode 312: Take Your Magic With You

I’m packing up my office this week, and feeling quite sentimental about the space.  I’m also realizing, however, that everything special to me in this space is something I brought with me.  Nothing in the space is intrinsically magical, but it’s what I bring and what I feel in the space that makes it magical.  So whether you’re downsizing, or moving on from a special space or job or relationship, just know that the magic is in you. This episode, I answer questions about... [7:53] Where t...

Take Your Magic With You

I’m packing up my office this week, and feeling quite sentimental about the space.  I’m also realizing, however, that everything special to me in this space is something I brought with me.  Nothing in the space is intrinsically magical, but it’s what I bring and what I feel in the space that makes it magical.  So whether you’re downsizing, or moving on from a special space or job or relationship, just know that the magic is in you. This episode, I answer questions about... [7:53] Where t...

Parenting House Plants with Maria Failla

This week I’m joined by a special guest, Maria Failla. You guys know I do not have a green thumb, and while I appreciate plants, I am not a connoisseur.  Maria is a connoisseur, and you may know her from her podcast, Bloom and Grow Radio.  She is here to educate us on how to choose plants, how to place plants, and how to help plants thrive. This episode, we discuss… [3:28] Maria’s history with plants [6:24] How to place your plants around a room [10:53] Natural light versus artificia...

Episode 311: Parenting House Plants with Maria Failla

This week I’m joined by a special guest, Maria Failla. You guys know I do not have a green thumb, and while I appreciate plants, I am not a connoisseur.  Maria is a connoisseur, and you may know her from her podcast, Bloom and Grow Radio.  She is here to educate us on how to choose plants, how to place plants, and how to help plants thrive. This episode, we discuss… [3:28] Maria’s history with plants [6:24] How to place your plants around a room [10:53] Natural light versus artificia...

Hard Candy Christmas

Happy holidays! I hope you’re able to relax, and to take some time to reflect on the last year and think about what is upcoming. I’m processing a big change myself, because in two weeks the storefront I’ve been in and loved for six years will no longer be mine. This is where I’ve grown my business, and I’m feeling a bit displaced.I’ve definitely been emotional, and I’ve been playing Dolly Parton’s Hard Candy Christmas on repeat. When you find your little corner of the world where you feel la...

Episode 310: Hard Candy Christmas

Happy holidays! I hope you’re able to relax, and to take some time to reflect on the last year and think about what is upcoming. I’m processing a big change myself, because in two weeks the storefront I’ve been in and loved for six years will no longer be mine. This is where I’ve grown my business, and I’m feeling a bit displaced.I’ve definitely been emotional, and I’ve been playing Dolly Parton’s Hard Candy Christmas on repeat. When you find your little corner of the world where you feel la...

Clear Your Clutter with Julie Coraccio

I’m so excited to be back with you today, and I am joined by a special guest.  You may know Julie Coraccio from her own podcast, Clear Your Clutter.  She focuses on the holistic aspect of decluttering, including mental, relationships, health, emotional and spiritual decluttering.     This episode, we discuss… [2:43] The difference between a designer and an organizer [5:26] Where to start when working with an organizer [7:31] How to know if you should be hiring a professional organi...

Episode 309: Clear Your Clutter with Julie Coraccio

I’m so excited to be back with you today, and I am joined by a special guest.  You may know Julie Coraccio from her own podcast, Clear Your Clutter.  She focuses on the holistic aspect of decluttering, including mental, relationships, health, emotional and spiritual decluttering.     This episode, we discuss… [2:43] The difference between a designer and an organizer [5:26] Where to start when working with an organizer [7:31] How to know if you should be hiring a professional organi...

Episode 308: Meeting Of The Minds About Metals

I hope your holiday season is going well! I haven’t had a lot of supply issues with gifts, but I’m sort of glad I haven’t found the right house yet because the lead times on furniture are so intense right now.  Today I’m digging right  into the mailbag so you can kick off 2022 with confidence and good design. This episode, I answer questions about... [3:27] How to decorate when you can’t figure out the architectural statement (Sami) [18:08] Mixing metals with fixtures and hardware (Gon...

Meeting Of The Minds About Metals

I hope your holiday season is going well! I haven’t had a lot of supply issues with gifts, but I’m sort of glad I haven’t found the right house yet because the lead times on furniture are so intense right now.  Today I’m digging right  into the mailbag so you can kick off 2022 with confidence and good design. This episode, I answer questions about... [3:27] How to decorate when you can’t figure out the architectural statement (Sami) [18:08] Mixing metals with fixtures and hardware (Gon...

Making Dreams Come True

Happy December! Time is flying, and we are super busy with rebranding here at Affordable Interior Design. I’m kicking off this episode with a little talk about goals, because it’s on my mind with everything going on in the business. I share about the power of writing down your goals, keeping visual reminders close by, and reflecting on your progress. This episode, I answer questions about... [15:32] Choosing light fixtures while keeping resale value in mind (Matthew) [21:58] Two-tone k...

Episode 307: Making Dreams Come True

Happy December! Time is flying, and we are super busy with rebranding here at Affordable Interior Design. I’m kicking off this episode with a little talk about goals, because it’s on my mind with everything going on in the business. I share about the power of writing down your goals, keeping visual reminders close by, and reflecting on your progress. This episode, I answer questions about... [15:32] Choosing light fixtures while keeping resale value in mind (Matthew) [21:58] Two-tone k...

Episode 306: Food for Thought

Happy Thanksgiving! Are you supposed to be making cranberry sauce right now? Are you escaping into the bathroom, the closet, or the basement, just to catch your breath and get some alone time? I feel you!  I love having people over, and I love to cook (even though I’m not all that good at it!) but I’m an only child at heart and every now and again, I need my personal space.  So if you need some time to yourself to think about interior design, I have an episode for you! This episode, I answ...

Food for Thought

Happy Thanksgiving! Are you supposed to be making cranberry sauce right now? Are you escaping into the bathroom, the closet, or the basement, just to catch your breath and get some alone time? I feel you!  I love having people over, and I love to cook (even though I’m not all that good at it!) but I’m an only child at heart and every now and again, I need my personal space.  So if you need some time to yourself to think about interior design, I have an episode for you! This episode, I answ...

Solving All Your Problems

We’re halfway through November. Kids’ sports are winding down, and the supply chain issues have forced me to start my holiday shopping early. I also just learned that home goods will be going up in price, so I’m passing this warning on to you: Now is the moment to refresh your home with new furniture and decor. This episode, I answer questions about... [7:24] Decorating a kitchen without the budget for a renovation (Nicola) [11:58] Making a full length piano keyboard look good in a sma...

Episode 305: Solving All Your Problems

We’re halfway through November. Kids’ sports are winding down, and the supply chain issues have forced me to start my holiday shopping early. I also just learned that home goods will be going up in price, so I’m passing this warning on to you: Now is the moment to refresh your home with new furniture and decor. This episode, I answer questions about... [7:24] Decorating a kitchen without the budget for a renovation (Nicola) [11:58] Making a full length piano keyboard look good in a sma...

SPECIAL SHORT EPISODE: Betsy's Hiring!

Want to work with Betsy? She has 3 positions available! Hear the details in this very special episode. 

Episode 304: Color and Desk Trends to Avoid

Happy November!  I hope you’re all doing well, staying warm, and are cuddled up by the fire listening to this podcast.  I’m kicking off this episode with a celebration of my recent podcast milestone (300 episodes)! Thank you all so much for being engaged listeners, sending me your questions, and participating in this special community.   I’m also sharing some business updates, and then I’m reaching back into the mailbag.   This episode, I answer questions about... [8:19] Brightenin...

Color and Desk Trends to Avoid

Happy November!  I hope you’re all doing well, staying warm, and are cuddled up by the fire listening to this podcast.  I’m kicking off this episode with a celebration of my recent podcast milestone (300 episodes)! Thank you all so much for being engaged listeners, sending me your questions, and participating in this special community.   I’m also sharing some business updates, and then I’m reaching back into the mailbag.   This episode, I answer questions about... [8:19] Brightenin...

Episode 303: Unpacking "LuLaRich" with Libby Rothschild

Wondering why I’m devoting an episode to LuLaRich?  If you’re a regular listener, you know I love true crime and entrepreneurship - these two subjects meet in this docu-series on Amazon Prime.  My friend, Libby Rothschild, joined me to discuss the show and we are both sharing this episode on our respective podcasts.  LuLaRich is fascinating, and you won’t want to miss our conversation.   This episode, we discuss… [5:38] Summary of LuLaRich [9:56] Multi-level Marketing (MLMs) [12:53...

Unpacking "LuLaRich" with Libby Rothschild

Wondering why I’m devoting an episode to LuLaRich?  If you’re a regular listener, you know I love true crime and entrepreneurship - these two subjects meet in this docu-series on Amazon Prime.  My friend, Libby Rothschild, joined me to discuss the show and we are both sharing this episode on our respective podcasts.  LuLaRich is fascinating, and you won’t want to miss our conversation.   This episode, we discuss… [5:38] Summary of LuLaRich [9:56] Multi-level Marketing (MLMs) [12:53...

Design Sorcery For Stacey

Halloween is coming! I love to dress up, but I also love to accompany my children to the door and make sure they don’t take too much candy… while also peeking at other people’s decor. I hope you and your families are getting ready to have some fun during this season as well!  This week I’m digging back into the mailbag to answer some design questions.   This episode, I answer questions about... [6:26] Dining room window treatments (Stacey) [13:00] Dining room furniture (Stacey) [17...

Episode 302: Design Sorcery For Stacey

Halloween is coming! I love to dress up, but I also love to accompany my children to the door and make sure they don’t take too much candy… while also peeking at other people’s decor. I hope you and your families are getting ready to have some fun during this season as well!  This week I’m digging back into the mailbag to answer some design questions.   This episode, I answer questions about... [6:26] Dining room window treatments (Stacey) [13:00] Dining room furniture (Stacey) [17...

Episode 301: Budget Vegetarianism with Jenny Rosenstratch

Budget Vegetarianism with Jenny Rosenstratch

Drapes and So Much More

Change is in the air… I redecorated the storefront for Fall, and I got to buy some fun new things due to the flood damage.  This month we are also rebranding as Uploft Interior Design!  Don’t worry, the podcast will stay as Affordable Interior Design - but it’s by Uploft.  I’m really excited about the change, and it’s going to allow us to expand and grow.  My life in general is a bit in flux right now, and I’m learning to enjoy the literal and metaphorical changes in seasons.   This epis...

Episode 300: Drapes and So Much More

Change is in the air… I redecorated the storefront for Fall, and I got to buy some fun new things due to the flood damage.  This month we are also rebranding as Uploft Interior Design!  Don’t worry, the podcast will stay as Affordable Interior Design - but it’s by Uploft.  I’m really excited about the change, and it’s going to allow us to expand and grow.  My life in general is a bit in flux right now, and I’m learning to enjoy the literal and metaphorical changes in seasons.   This epis...