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September 23, 2024 15 mins
Kick off with an introduction to Daily Interior Design Inspo, setting the stage for a budget-friendly journey in home transformation. Discover how to breathe new life into oak cabinets with serene blue hues without overspending. Embrace the season with affordable terracotta touches for fall decor. Explore the top five organizing solutions tailored for small spaces, offering practical and stylish options. Learn ten proactive tips to prevent clutter and maintain a tidy home. Conclude with a wrap-up of the episode's highlights and a warm farewell, leaving listeners inspired and ready to tackle their own design projects.
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Episode Transcript

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(00:00):
Welcome back to another episode of DailyInterior Design Inspo!
I am your host, Betsy Helmuth.
If you are new here, we dive into affordableand modern interior design inspiration tailored
specifically for spaces in New York City,Westchester, New Jersey, Connecticut, and
Washington D.C.
So, whether you are living in a tiny urbanapartment or a spacious suburban home, we are

(00:23):
here to help you make your space stylishwithout breaking the bank!
Alright, let's kick things off with our firstsegment: 'Outdated' Oak Cabinets Get a Serene
Blue Makeover for Under $2,000!
I am super excited to share this transformationwith you because it is proof that you do not
need a massive budget to create a beautiful,functional kitchen.

(00:48):
This story comes from Kathleen Martin, a DIYcontent creator who, along with her husband,
has been renovating their first home.

Kathleen's philosophy is simple yet powerful: major updates should not require major price (00:57):
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tags, and paint can be your best friend intransforming a space.
Kathleen's kitchen was anything butpicture-perfect when she started.
She describes it as outdated, nonfunctional,and filthy.
She knew she needed more countertop space, adishwasher, and an updated design.

(01:23):
So, she decided to create a space that was'bright on a budget.' She kicked off her
kitchen design by creating a mood board andcarefully considering several paint samples.
After thoroughly reviewing a color fan deck,she chose Fusion Mineral Paint’s Champness for
the oak cabinets and trim.
She also opted for a darker shade of blue,Clare’s Good Jeans, for the ceiling.

(01:48):
And the blue did not stop there!
The fridge and dishwasher also got a blue paintmakeover, a decision that has been quite
controversial on social media.
For the backsplash, Kathleen kept it simple bypainting it white and then using a dark gray
paint pen to go over the grout lines.
The floor, which was a huge eyesore before,also got a makeover.

(02:13):
Kathleen painted it white and used a stencil tocreate a faux tile look.
She made sure to seal it well, and it haslasted beautifully for the past three years.
One side of the kitchen previously only had astove and fridge but no counter.
With the help of her husband, Kathleen addedcabinets from The Home Depot and wood

(02:38):
countertops.
She painted them to mirror marble and coveredthem with epoxy.
The last big project in the kitchen was openingup a wall to create an open archway into the
dining room.
Kathleen loves how much more functional herkitchen is now.
By adding in two new lower cabinets, theycreated so much more counter space.

(03:03):
She also loves that it is unique — you do notsee that many light blue kitchen cabinets, so
it is a little unexpected.
The entire renovation took around two years tocomplete, as the couple worked in stages and on
nights and weekends.
If Kathleen had to guess, she would say theproject cost under $2,000 in total.

(03:26):
One of the biggest money savers was thatKathleen and her husband did much of the work
themselves.
If you are looking for more colorful kitchentransformations, be sure to check out some of
the other amazing projects Kathleen has shared.
Her story is a great reminder that with a bitof creativity and elbow grease, you can make
any space your own without spending a fortune.

(03:50):
Next up, I tried the “Terracotta” Hack, and itcompletely transformed my decor!
I am so excited to share this with you becauseit is perfect for anyone looking to add a touch
of fall vibes to their space without spending alot of money.
This hack comes from Lauren Fant, a decorenthusiast from California who loves all things

(04:10):
decor, organization, and lifestyle.
Lauren is a college student living at home andis always on the lookout for budget-friendly
ways to update her bedroom to reflect hergrowing personality.
Lauren recently stumbled upon a DIYterracotta-style painted vase tutorial on
Pinterest from creator Diane D.

(04:32):
Waller.
Terracotta vases can be quite pricey, with evensmall ones from stores like Target costing
around $30.
But Lauren found a way to create an elevatedterracotta look for just a few dollars!
First, Lauren went shopping for inexpensivevases at her local Goodwill, where she snagged

(04:53):
a 7-inch by 5-inch vase for only 99 cents.
She also gathered some supplies she already hadat home: acrylic paint, baking soda, a large
paintbrush, a medium-sized bowl for mixing, anda cup of water to clean her paintbrush.
Lauren emphasizes the importance of preparingyour workspace by laying down old newspapers or

(05:16):
parchment paper to protect your surfaces frompaint drips or spills.
She also ran her vase through the dishwasher toensure it was clean and ready for paint.
Next, she created the paint mixture.
In Diane D.
Waller's video, she used paint and bakingpowder, but Lauren did some research and found

(05:37):
that baking soda works just as well.
She mixed about two parts paint to one partbaking soda until she achieved a slightly
grainy texture.
If the texture is not to your liking, you canadjust the ratio until you find what works best
for you.
With her paint mixture ready, Lauren coveredthe vase with one coat of paint.

(05:59):
Once it was dry, she touched up a few spotswhere the paint seemed a little thin but did
not need to do a full second coat.
Lauren notes that it is up to you how manycoats you want to add to your vase.
Once fully dry, Lauren styled her new decorpiece by placing some cute dried florals in it
and setting it up on her TV stand.

(06:20):
She is excited to swap in seasonal florals,foliage, and other decor in the coming months,
making this a versatile piece that can beupdated throughout the year.
Lauren found this DIY project to be incrediblyeasy and relaxing.
She also loved that it was budget-friendly.
If you already have kitchen staples like bakingsoda or powder and art supplies like paint and

(06:47):
paintbrushes on hand, you can likely pull thiscraft off for free.
Even if you had to buy everything on the supplylist, you would probably only spend around $5
to $10, compared to the $30 price tag of astore-bought version.
Plus, there is a special satisfaction increating your own decor piece that you can be

(07:09):
proud of every time you look at it.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly way toupdate your decor with a touch of fall, I
highly recommend trying out this terracottahack.
It is a simple yet effective way to elevateyour space without breaking the bank.
Happy crafting!

Let's dive into our next segment (07:28):
These 5 Organizing Gems Are Perfect for Small Spaces!
If you live in a small apartment or a cozyhome, you know how crucial it is to maximize
every inch of space.
Today, we are highlighting five award-winningorganizing products that make a huge difference
in small spaces.

(07:50):
These picks are fantastic for optimizing yourhome and making small-space living a whole lot
easier.
First up is the Yamazaki Home Tower LeaningClothes Hanger.
This handy clothes hanger is perfect for anyonewho needs a little extra closet space.
All you need is a bit of wall space to set itup!

(08:11):
Our Executive Lifestyle Director, Charli Penn,loves using it all over her home to steam and
hang clothes for the work week.
She says, 'I love how compact it is, but alsosturdy enough to hold five to six pieces of
light clothing.
It’s the perfect bonus closet space.' At just$49, this leaning clothes hanger is a steal!

(08:35):
Next, we have the Spacesaver Vacuum StorageBags.
These are a small-space necessity.
They allow you to store out-of-season clothes,blankets, bedding, and even pillows out of the
way, freeing up more room in your closet.
Priced at $32.99, these vacuum storage bags area budget-friendly solution to keep your home

(08:55):
organized and clutter-free.
Trust me, you will wonder how you ever livedwithout them!
Our third pick is the Article Maribo IvoryBouclé 19-inch Storage Ottoman.
This ottoman may take up a small footprint, butit can store so much inside.
Our Shopping Director, Jada Wong, shares, 'Ican stash three oversized blankets in there

(09:18):
when I do not need them and quickly pull oneout whenever I do.
I also love the compact size and the boucléfabric — it adds so much coziness to my living
room!' At $199, this storage ottoman is astylish and functional addition to any small
space.
Fourth on our list is the Yamazaki Home TowerShoe Rack - Tall.

(09:42):
This shoe rack is made specifically for smallspaces.
It does not take up much room and can hold upto five pairs of shoes, making it perfect for
an entryway.
Our editors rave about it.
Executive Editor, Terri Pous, has called it 'adream come true' ever since she ordered it for
her studio apartment, and Shopping Director,Jada Wong, loves how lightweight and portable

(10:07):
it is.
At $65, this shoe rack is a great investmentfor keeping your shoes organized and your
entryway clutter-free.
Last but not least, we have the Yamazaki HomeTosca Magnetic Kitchen Organizer.
Multipurpose products are game-changers insmall spaces, and this magnetic kitchen
organizer reigns supreme.

(10:29):
You can simply stick it onto your fridge andsuddenly you have a tool to store anything.
Our Associate Lifestyle Editor, Sofia Rivera,shares, 'What is so great about this organizer
is you can adapt it for whatever you need — Ilove having my most-used spices so close at
hand, and the oven mitts I no longer have todig out of a drawer.' Priced at $52, this

(10:54):
organizer is a versatile addition to any smallkitchen.
These five organizing gems are perfect formaking the most out of your small space.
Whether you are looking to add extra closetspace, store seasonal items, or keep your
kitchen organized, these products have got youcovered.
Happy organizing!

Alright, let's dive into our next segment (11:16):
10 Clever Ways to Prevent Clutter from Happening
in the First Place!
If you find yourself constantly battlingclutter, this segment is for you.
We are sharing some expert tips from StephanieNguyen, the Senior Editor of Cleaning and
Organizing at Apartment Therapy.
Stephanie's background in journalism and herpassion for helping people create homes that

(11:39):
look and feel good make her advice invaluable.
First, Stephanie recommends cancelingsubscriptions you no longer use or read, like a
streaming service, physical magazine, ordigital subscription to a newspaper.
This simple step can prevent unnecessary itemsfrom piling up in your home.
Next, stop catalogs.

(12:00):
You can find a number on the back of mostcatalogs to call and request that you be taken
off the list.
This will drastically reduce the amount ofpaper clutter entering your home.
Another great tip is to get your address offjunk mail lists.

(12:21):
The Federal Trade Commission recommends usingthe website www.optoutprescreen.com to prevent
letters for up to five years or permanently.
This is a game-changer for cutting down onunwanted mail.
Stephanie also suggests signing up for onlinestatements for all your banking, bills, and

(12:43):
more.
By going paperless, you can significantlyreduce the amount of paper clutter in your
home.
Plus, it is better for the environment!
Set up a home landing strip to stop clutter atthe door.
This can include a surface, like a table, tohold items as they come and go; a container or

(13:03):
bowl to hold wallets, keys, and other things;and a wastebasket to gather trash.
This simple setup can make a huge difference inkeeping your home organized.
Unsubscribe from unwanted emails.
Digital clutter can be just as overwhelming asphysical clutter.

(13:24):
Take some time to go through your inbox andunsubscribe from emails you no longer want to
receive.
Your mind will thank you!
Think before you print.
Consider if something needs to be printed orcan be kept digitally instead.
This can help reduce the amount of paperclutter in your home and is another

(13:44):
environmentally friendly step.
Implement a one-in, one-out rule — or the moreintense one-in, three-out rule — so clutter
cannot grow.
For every new item you bring into your home,commit to getting rid of one or even three
items.
This helps maintain a balance and preventsclutter from accumulating.

(14:07):
Declutter regularly.
Along with following Apartment Therapy's annualDecluttering Cure, try to incorporate
'declutter dates' on your calendar so you areconstantly editing your home.
Regular decluttering sessions can keep yourspace organized and clutter-free.
Set up a permanent donate outbox and commit tomonthly trips to empty it.

(14:31):
Having a dedicated spot for items you plan todonate makes it easy to keep track of them, and
regular trips to donate can help keep your homeclutter-free.

PRO TIP (14:42):
Having tried-and-true organizational methods, systems, and tools in place can also
help rein in messes.
If you need a new method or system, try onefrom the experts at Apartment Therapy.
And if you need some tools, check out their2024 Organization Awards for some of the best

(15:04):
organizing products out there.
That wraps up our segment on preventing clutterbefore it starts.
Implementing even a few of these clever tipscan make a big difference in maintaining a tidy
and organized home.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode ofDaily Interior Design Inspo.
I am your host, Betsy Helmuth, and I lookforward to sharing more tips and inspiration

(15:28):
with you next time.
Until then, keep designing and stay inspired!
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