Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to another episode of Daily InteriorDesign Inspo!
I am your host, Betsy Helmuth, here to give youyour daily dose of affordable and modern
interior design inspiration.
Today we have a fantastic segment that willsurely inspire all you renters out there!
We are diving into the story of a New Yorkerwho has done every renter DIY project
(00:25):
imaginable in her 450-square-foot apartment.
Let us get started!
Jillian Marie Sayegh, a born and raised NewYorker, has lived in her 450-square-foot
apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattanfor three years.
(00:46):
Jillian prefers moody tones, secondhand, andvintage items, and her apartment reflects that
style perfectly.
She says that 98 percent of the space isfurnished with secondhand finds.
"I love that all the items in my apartment havehad a life before me, and I am continuing that
(01:07):
life," she says.
Jillian works in commercials and television,which might explain her flair for the dramatic
and unique.
One of the standout pieces in Jillian’sapartment is her use of vintage trunks.
"I love using vintage trunks in the space; theygive me so much storage and function.
I have this setup under my Samsung Frame TV.
(01:31):
I love the gallery wall around the TV ofpaintings I have thrifted and family photos,"
Jillian describes.
This setup not only adds a personal touch butalso provides ample storage, making it both
functional and stylish.
Jillian has added a lot of personalization toher home, and she thinks she’s "done every
(01:54):
renter DIY project available in the apartment.
My kitchen has peel-and-stick tile,peel-and-stick backsplash, contact paper on
cabinets, fresh paint, new (vintage) lighting.
I’ve done it all!" she writes.
The ease and affordability of peel-and-stickoptions make them perfect for renters who want
(02:16):
to customize their space without makingpermanent changes.
The bedroom in Jillian’s apartment features abold collaboration with LICK Green18 paint.
"The most color I have ever used in a space,but I love the contrast with the brass and
white accents.
Everything except the bedding is secondhand.
The floor lamp is from a film set I worked on!"Jillian writes.
(02:40):
This is a great example of how a little bit ofbold color can transform a room, especially
when paired with unique, thrifted items.
Jillian suggests that you should always shopsecondhand.
"You can be on a budget and find the mostbeautiful, well-made items for cheap.
Facebook Marketplace, flea markets, estatesales, and local Goodwills are amazing!" Her
(03:05):
advice is invaluable for anyone looking tocreate a stylish and unique home without
spending a fortune.
That is all for today’s segment on JillianMarie Sayegh’s incredible 450-square-foot
apartment.
I hope you found some inspiration for your ownspace.
Stay tuned for more interior design tips andtricks in our next segment.
(03:28):
Until then, happy decorating!
If you are a DIYer, there is maybe nothingbetter than using leftover materials for a
second project — creating a bonus stylish thingin your house for zero dollars.
DIYer Scarlett Mack, who you can find onInstagram at @lady_muckmack, had some leftover
(03:50):
wooden dowels from an IKEA hack she completedin her family’s playroom.
She wanted to “put them to good use,” as sheexplains on her Instagram.
She took a “cheap, basic fifteen-pound lamp” —that is about twenty dollars United States
Dollars — “which worked great and was a goodsize, but was not what [she] wanted
design-wise,” and turned it into a flutedbeauty.
(04:14):
The dowels are stained a darker brown.
Scarlett sanded her two-centimeter wood dowelpieces so they were smooth on the tops and
bottoms.
She glued them onto her basic lamp base with NoMore Nails adhesive, and once the dowels were
set in place, she made them a darker brown byhand-brushing on Frenchic’s browning wood wax.
(04:35):
She used string to hold the dowels in place sothey would not slide around as they were
drying, and she used cotton swabs to smooth outthe glue.
She recommends using plenty of glue soeverything sticks, and “they also sell miter
shears if you did not fancy using an electricsaw for the cuts,” she adds on Instagram,
although she finds miter shears tricky to workwith.
(04:59):
An oversized, pleated lampshade completes thejob.
Scarlett’s favorite part is the green lampshade, the cherry on top.
Scarlett’s, again, cost her about twentydollars, but you could DIY this part, too, if
you wanted, with your fabric of choice and alittle bit of fabric glue.
Scarlett’s advice for the project overall?
(05:21):
“Do it!” She says.
“It is mega-simple and is a really fun, quickupcycle.”
For more fun lamp upcycles, check out thistulip-shaped beauty inspired by designer Peter
Bliss and this adorable cottagecore lamp madeusing napkins.
Next up, let us talk about an amazing find fromAldi that can instantly make your
(05:44):
work-from-home setup much cozier.
I am talking about the Huntington Home memoryfoam chair pad, and it is only seven dollars!
A solid work-from-home setup can do wonders.
Whether it is good lighting, a monitor riserwith built-in storage, or a humidifier that
(06:04):
keeps your eyes from getting dry while studyingyour screen, there are certain office
essentials that can make the difference betweena desk to work at and a comfortable zone that
encourages productivity.
And most certainly one of those must-haves is acomfortable seat.
If you do not have an expensive ergonomic deskchair, there is one easy way to boost the cozy
(06:29):
level of your work-from-home setup, and that iswith this Huntington Home memory foam chair pad
from Aldi.
And since it is just seven dollars, you canlevel up your chair for the same price as an
iced latte.
The cushy polyester-and-nylon pad comes ingray, beige, and green, so chances are high one
(06:51):
of these neutral tones will fit right in withyour curated office color scheme.
At fifteen by seventeen inches, it is a fairlystandard size that Aldi says fits most chairs.
They also describe the pad as fade andslip-resistant, so it should stay securely in
place and look good for many work-from-homehours to come.
(07:13):
If you cannot get to an Aldi, you can find asimilar option on Amazon and get it shipped
right to your door.
At thirteen dollars each, these chair pads costa tad bit more, but they are the same size as
Aldi’s and come in a similar range of neutralcolors like navy blue, dark brown, wine red,
khaki, and dark and light gray.
(07:35):
It is no secret that spending long days gazinginto a computer screen can be less than stellar
for your well-being.
There is the eye strain that can come fromletting so much blue light into your eyes, the
poor desk chair posture that can lead to backpain, and the general bout of risks that are
connected to sitting for too long, too often.
(07:58):
Taking care to create an office orwork-from-home setup that brings you joy,
comfort, and inspiration is an act of self-carethat will pay you back every day.
Whether that means hanging up art you love,putting photos of friends around your desk, or
creating a cozier seat with a chair pad, it iswell worth the time and effort to take some
(08:20):
small steps to level up your workspace.
Next up, let's talk about a piece that hastruly transformed my living room.
I'm talking about the West Elm BelleNightstand, which is technically designed as a
bedside table but works wonders as a side tablein the living room.
And the best part?
(08:40):
It's under two hundred dollars!
Alicia Kort, the Deputy Commerce Editor atApartment Therapy, has shared her experience
with this chic and functional piece.
Alicia, who has spent the past ten yearsworking in both print and digital media, knows
a thing or two about small-space finds andstorage solutions.
(09:03):
She currently lives in a tiny one-bedroomapartment in New York City with her boyfriend,
which means space is at a premium.
Every new item that enters their home has toserve a purpose, or it simply has to go.
Alicia has tested numerous side tables over theyears, but the West Elm Belle Nightstand has
(09:25):
become her favorite.
She opted for the Dark Bronze color, althoughit also comes in a Haze shade.
Both colors are neutral enough to fit into anydecor scheme.
The nightstand is entirely made of steel and ishand-welded and finished, making it both
durable and stylish.
The Belle Nightstand features two open shelvesand a spacious top drawer that slides open and
(09:50):
closed.
The drawer is 14.4 inches in diameter and 5.5inches tall, providing ample storage space for
small items like remotes and playing cards.
The nightstand weighs 25 pounds, so keep thatin mind if you need to carry it up several
flights of stairs.
(10:11):
One of the main reasons Alicia loves the WestElm Belle Nightstand is because of its unique,
circular shape.
Most side tables or nightstands are rectangularor square, but this one stands out with its
round design.
It creates an interesting focal point in herliving room and makes the space look larger.
(10:31):
Plus, it's the perfect height for her couch,matching the armrest perfectly.
The steel construction of the nightstand meansit's incredibly durable and easy to clean.
Alicia doesn't have to worry about condensationor spills, making it an excellent drink holder.
She uses the top drawer to hide small clutter,like remotes and playing cards, while the
(10:56):
bottom two shelves are perfect for coffee tablebooks, magazines, and even craft projects like
knitting or needlepoint.
For its price point, this $200 table is asteal.
West Elm is known for its stylish yet priceyfurniture, but this nightstand offers a chic
look without breaking the bank.
(11:18):
If you're looking for a versatile piece thatcan help declutter your living space, the West
Elm Belle Nightstand is definitely worthconsidering.
Next up, let us dive into some exciting newsfrom the 2024 REAL SIMPLE Home.
This year, the home is set in a beautiful 1890sBrooklyn brownstone and features rooms
(11:42):
decorated by professional designers,developers, and organizers.
If you are looking for inspiration to revampyour own home, this is the place to start!
One of the standout rooms in the home is theguest suite, designed by Jasmine Roth.
You might know her as the host of HGTV’s HiddenPotential and HELP!
(12:02):
I Wrecked My House.
Jasmine's guest room combines neutrals withbrighter colors and mixes traditional pieces
with modern touches.
It is a perfect blend of old and new thatcreates a welcoming and stylish space.
What is even more exciting is that the guestsuite features some fabulous and surprisingly
(12:24):
affordable bedding from Quince.
You can recreate this luxe bedroom look withoutspending a fortune!
Let us take a closer look at some of the Quincebedding items featured in the 2024 REAL SIMPLE
Home.
First up, we have the Organic Airy Gauze Quilt,starting at one hundred and thirty dollars.
Made with four layers of one hundred percentorganic long-staple cotton, this quilt is
(12:49):
prewashed for that lived-in, extra soft feel.
It is filled with recycled polyester and madein a sustainable factory that uses solar and
renewable energy, making it an eco-friendlychoice.
The quilt also features a pin-tuck design thatadds some dimension to the solid shade, making
(13:10):
it a stylish addition to any bedroom.
Next, we have the European Linen Stripe DuvetCover, starting at one hundred and twenty
dollars.
This flax linen cover has interior ties to keepa comforter in place and clear buttons that
blend seamlessly with the rest of the cover.
(13:32):
You can choose from various colors, includingterracotta, natural, light gray, and dark gray
stripes, as well as a mini pinstripe option.
The duvet cover is available in multiple sizes,from twin to California king.
The European Linen Sheet Set is anotherfantastic option, starting at one hundred and
(13:54):
thirty dollars.
This set includes a flat sheet, a fitted sheet,and two pillowcases, available in sizes ranging
from twin to California king.
The mid-weight linen is breathable andsweat-wicking, making it suitable for
year-round use.
With twenty-nine colors to choose from,including charcoal, light gray, sage green, and
(14:17):
blush, you are sure to find the perfect shadefor your bedroom.
Reviewers have called these sheets 'luxurious,'and they have thousands of five-star ratings to
back it up.
To complete your bedding look, consider theEuropean Linen Stripe Sham Set, starting at
forty-five dollars.
This set of two shams is available in the sameterracotta and white stripe pattern as the
(14:41):
duvet cover, but you can also shop them inother colors like light gray and natural.
Made of European flax linen, these shamsfeature a back envelope closure to keep your
pillows securely in place.
That is all for today’s episode of DailyInterior Design Inspo.
I hope you found some inspiration to make yourown home a stylish and cozy haven without
(15:04):
breaking the bank.
Remember, you do not have to spend a fortune tomake your space look luxurious.
Until next time, happy decorating!