Episode Transcript
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Welcome back to another episode of DailyInterior Design Inspo!
I’m your host, Betsy Helmuth, and today, we’rediving into a fabulous apartment living room
transformation that's perfect for those of youjust starting out in your own space.
Whether you're in a loft, a studio, or even asmall one-bedroom, this makeover by interior
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designer Todd Raymond of Studio Todd Raymond issure to inspire you.
Let's get into it!
When it comes to home makeovers, Todd Raymondadvises, 'Use what you have!
Play into those features!' Sometimes, thatmeans making a home's original staircase a
grand centerpiece, accentuating existingstained glass, or, in the case of Todd’s
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client, highlighting the tall ceilings andexposed brick that came with the loft
apartment.
In this living room makeover, the name of thegame was warming things up in this 'very
minimal, simply designed' apartment withoutdoing much to change the walls or windows.
Todd says his client was looking for somethingmore sophisticated after living in the
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apartment for a few years.
The standout in the space is the new 'draperywall,' as Todd calls it.
Because the ceiling heights are so high, Toddand his team wanted to bring some drama by
installing a wall of drapery behind thetelevision.
Todd explains, 'It was our first time mountinga floating TV on a curtain wall, and we wanted
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the ripples to be consistent, so a lot ofthought went into the type of bracket we used.'
They selected a khaki-colored wool for thecurtain wall, which Todd describes as a 'more
serious and elevated type of fabric — a littledetail that helps make the entire space feel
more adult, which is what we were going for.'
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Additionally, a new coat of white paint,specifically Benjamin Moore’s White Dove, on
the other walls helps things feelextra-polished.
An oversized statement artwork by artist KennyNguyen, a carved walnut credenza, and some new
chrome accent tables in the living roomcertainly stand out, but much of the existing
furniture stayed the same — including a steelsafe used as a table!
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Todd and his team also chose a nylon rug, whichgives the look of a silk rug for much less and
is very durable.
The furniture layout stayed the same, too.
Todd says sometimes he encourages clients tomajorly switch things up in their layout, but
here, the arrangement already felt right.
'Sometimes, things just work!' he says.
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Todd and his client love how the living roomnow feels both casual and sophisticated.
It's perfect for the client to relax on hisown, but also host with style.
Inspired?
Submit your own project and let us know how itturned out!
Fall is such an evocative season (03:00):
Think of it,
and your mind probably lights up with all sorts
of feelings, activities, and aromas, fromsupersoft throw blankets and cinnamon and
nutmeg-scented drinks to crisp morning air andchunky sweaters.
While store aisles fill up with autumnal decorthis time of year, it can be overwhelming (not
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to mention pricey) to buy items that you’llhave to find a place to store after the season
ends.
But there are so many ways to dive into cozyseason without buying pumpkin garland or ghost
mugs, if you don’t want to (though they arevery cute).
From simmer pots to tea cabinets, here are 15little tricks for how to make your house smell
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like fall, look like fall, and feel like thecozy haven of your dreams with things you
probably already have lying around — no tinypumpkins needed.
First up, make a simmer pot.
Put your kitchen scraps to good use with a fallsimmer pot.
All you need is a saucepan or slow cooker, anda handful of fragrant ingredients.
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Think cinnamon sticks, citrus peels, bayleaves, and apple peels.
It warms up your kitchen and fills your spacewith an irresistible aroma.
Next, turn off the big light and turn on thelittle ones.
While summer’s naturally bright light may haveflooded your home, fall and winter bring a
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little less in the way of sunshine.
To compensate, you may want to flip on theoverhead lighting.
But hold back — the 'big light' can be harsh.
Turn on the little lamps around your homeinstead.
You can even add one to your shower if you’refeeling adventurous.
You’ll notice the rooms feel instantly warmer.
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Do the crossword.
I do the crossword on my phone most days, butwhen I’m settling into cozy season, I love to
work on an analog version.
Pick up a book of crossword puzzles, amagazine, or newspaper and fill it out while
sipping on your morning coffee or tea.
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Leave the paper out on your table when you’redone to keep the coffee shop aesthetic going —
and to let any guests weigh in with theirhistorical trivia and pop culture deep cuts.
Open the windows to let that autumn air in.
Is there anything nicer than the crisp air thata new season ushers in?
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Practice the German habit of lüften by crackingopen your windows to let that fresh air in.
It rids your home of any staleness and makes itsmell like fall in the most natural of ways.
You can even try doing it before bed for achillier environment that could lead to better
sleep.
Put out your comfy things.
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Bring cozy season home by putting all yourcomfiest supplies on display and in easy reach.
Keep your softest socks by your nightstand,pull your chunky sweaters out from underbed
storage, put your flannel sheets on yourmattress, and bring out your throw blankets.
I love to keep a pair of house shoes on my shoeshelf to pad around my apartment and take out
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the recycling without letting my feet get cold.
Stock your tea cabinet.
Nothing makes for a cozier day in than a mugthat stays full of steamy tea.
Fill your cabinet with your favorite teas,whether it’s a soothing sleep-inducing blend or
a spiced cinnamon brew that will make the airaround you smell like fall, too.
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Bake a treat.
Whether it’s a sweet potato cheesecake or abubbling dish of apple crisp, crank up your
oven and make one of these cozy fall recipes.
It’ll warm up the room, make your home smelllike a bakery, and if you have leftovers, you
can bring some treats to your neighbors orfriends to spread the joy.
Put out a coffee table puzzle.
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Cozy season is the indisputably best time totuck into a giant jigsaw puzzle.
Leave one out on your table if you cansacrifice the surface and work on it every
night, or invite some friends over to solve ittogether.
There are so many gorgeous puzzle options outthere — pick a still life that speaks to your
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soul to encourage soothing nights in.
Try a pantry challenge.
A no-spend pantry challenge is not only a greatway to save some money on groceries, but
chances are you have a backlog of shelf-stablegoods like pumpkin, beans, or canned vegetables
— which can make for some delicious autumnalrecipes.
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Think bean chili, pumpkin pie, or shepherd’spie.
Light a fall-scented candle.
What easier way to make a room smell great thanby lighting a scented candle?
The perfect fall candle really depends on yourown olfactory preferences and what you
associate with the season — maybe it’s aclassic pumpkin-spice candle, a smoky cinnamon
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blend, or a clove and tobacco leaf infusedversion.
Whichever you go for, this is a two-secondtrick for how to make your house smell like
fall.
Swap out your hand soaps.
You don’t have to put pumpkin window clings onyour bathroom mirror or get a new
ghost-patterned hand towel for your kitchen tomake the spaces feel autumnal.
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Simply change your summertime coconut orstrawberry-scented hand soaps for something a
little more reminiscent of fall.
This orange spice soap smells great, as does myall-time affordable cherry-almond scented
favorite.
Put a record on.
If you have a turntable and a vintage vinylcollection, brush off the dust and put a record
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on.
There’s something so quintessentially cozyabout the crackling sound of vinyl clicking
into place and filling the room with some moodymusic.
Eat by candlelight.
One of my favorite ways to romanticize everydaylife?
Lighting candles during dinner, whether it’s amultistep recipe or a grilled cheese sandwich.
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For an experience that’s even more indulgent, Iuse an electric lighter that makes lighting my
taper candles feel so luxurious — and it lookspretty just sitting on my table, too.
Make a dopamine menu.
If settling into cozy season also means feelingwary of experiencing some winter blues, build
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yourself a dopamine menu — or a list of small,medium, and larger ways to boost your dopamine
throughout the day — to make your days in feelmore luxurious and less like being cooped up.
One small idea (09:54):
Try putting a supersoft rug
beside your bed so the first surface you step
onto each morning is comforting.
Spritz a fall-scented spray.
If company is on the way over and your homestill doesn’t smell enough like the set of
Gilmore Girls, a quick spritz might just do thetrick.
Try something like a Crisp Fall Breeze scentfrom Febreeze or an Orange and Spice room spray
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from Trader Joe’s.
I’m personally partial to a pillow spritz.
Though you may not want anything too sweet orpumpkin-scented, a vanilla and amber linen
spray is a lovely way to fall asleep in yournewly tucked-in flannel sheets each night.
Let's talk about a piece of furniture that hasbecome a DIYer's dream: the IKEA KALLAX.
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You might know it by its older name, theEXPEDIT.
This modular shelving unit is a blank canvasjust waiting for your personal touch.
Today, we're diving into some ingenious hacksthat will transform your KALLAX into a standout
piece in any room of your home.
First up, let's talk about creating an enclosedcabinet.
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Imagine turning a plain four-slot KALLAX into achic custom cabinet.
By adding doors, legs, and oversized pulls, youget hidden storage and a sophisticated look.
For an extra touch, cover the doors with burlapfor a cozy texture.
Trust me, this hack will make your KALLAX lookanything but basic.
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Next, we have a textured media console.
A long KALLAX shelf laid sideways can be theperfect height for a media console.
Add some mid-century-style legs, and you'rehalfway there.
Cover the doors with fluted wood molding andfit them with gold tab pulls.
This simple addition can elevate the look ofyour living room dramatically.
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For those who love a boho style, adding caneddoors to your KALLAX is a fantastic option.
Custom door fronts fitted with cane webbing andleather pulls will give your space a light,
airy feel without compromising on storage.
It's the perfect blend of functionality andstyle.
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If you're looking for something funky, trycreating a frame around the items stored within
your KALLAX.
Instead of adding trim to the outside, add itto the edges to 'frame' your belongings.
You can use decorative molding or even acustom-cut wavy outline for a dopamine
decor-inspired look.
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Want to fake a vintage Brutalist look?
You can achieve this with some veneer, a fewdoors, and strategically placed wood pieces.
This hack will give your KALLAX a striking,retro appearance that looks like it came
straight out of the 1950s.
Not every hack has to be complicated.
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If you're short on time, turn a four-squareKALLAX into a convenient wine rack.
All you need is a holder for wine glasses and acouple of baskets for other essentials.
This transformation can be done in just 30minutes!
For a farmhouse-style look, one DIYerdiscovered that louvered shutters from the
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hardware store were the perfect size to encloseher old KALLAX shelf.
She added them with hinges to create a totallynew look in an instant.
It's a brilliant and easy way to give yourKALLAX a rustic makeover.
If you're dreaming of built-ins but don't wantto spend a fortune, place three KALLAX shelves
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next to each other for the illusion of a giantpiece of built-in furniture.
You can even add a weathered wood look withpeel-and-stick vinyl to complete the
transformation.
For a glam ’70s-style look, consider using burlwood contact paper.
This KALLAX makeover features a burl woodcontact paper complemented by gold hardware and
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a gold platform, giving it a totally groovyvibe.
Another unique idea is to use pleated curtainsas doors.
Yes, you heard that right!
This cool KALLAX redo uses pleated curtains,vinyl in an oak finish, and sleek metal legs to
create a one-of-a-kind storage unit.
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For those who love bold designs, try making aMemphis-style shelf system.
The simplicity of KALLAX’s shape makes itperfect for channeling the funky, colorful
style of the 1980s.
Think circular cutouts, brightly coloredaccents, and a faux marble finish.
How about turning a KALLAX into a bathroomvanity?
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One clever DIYer turned an eight-cube unit onits side, added cabinet door covers in
alternating colors, and placed a vessel sink ontop.
It’s an affordable and stylish solution foryour bathroom!
For a glam console table, add doors to yourKALLAX cube shelves.
Use half-round molding on plywood doors fortexture, paint everything a dark gray-green,
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and add gold pulls.
This hack will give you a stunning storagesystem that looks way more expensive than it
actually is.
Transform your KALLAX into a mid-century modernhome bar.
Use wood-patterned contact paper over the doorsand add brass ring pulls.
This setup will provide plenty of storage foryour barware and accessories, making your home
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bar the talk of the town.
For a rustic cabinet look, use distressedone-by-four boards to make farmhouse-style
doors.
This hack will make your KALLAX look like acharming piece you found at a flea market
rather than in the aisles of IKEA.
Adding legs to your KALLAX shelf is a simpleyet stylish upgrade.
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Mid-century modern legs can elevate the pieceand ensure it complements the other items in
your home.
It’s a quick and easy way to give your KALLAX afresh look.
One of my favorite hacks is turning a KALLAXinto a kitchen island.
Add a wood top, a towel bar, and handy casters,and you’ve got yourself an affordable kitchen
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island with plenty of storage.
It’s an excellent way to refresh your cookingspace without a major renovation.
If you love the look of vintage librarycatalogs but not the price tag, this next hack
is for you.
Fit your KALLAX with file cabinet pulls tomimic the look of a vintage library catalog.
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It’s a stylish and practical storage solutionfor a home office.
Finally, for a chic sideboard, turn your KALLAXinto a high-impact piece with Greek
key-inspired overlays.
Add a luxe mirror on top, and your setup willlook totally high-end.
This hack proves that you don’t have to changethe color of your KALLAX to make a big impact.
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Fall is officially here, and if you are likeme, you are probably looking to add a touch of
seasonal charm to your home without spending afortune.
Well, I have some exciting news for you!
Kohl’s has just launched a fall home decorsale, and everything is up to 40% off.
Even better, all our top picks are under $25.
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Let us dive into some of the best deals you cangrab right now!
First up, we have the Celebrate Together FallHello Fall Doormat, currently priced at just
$14, down from $20.
This coconut fiber doormat features a non-slipbacking and muted colors of orange, yellow, and
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green that will blend perfectly with any fallfront porch aesthetic.
It is a simple way to welcome both the seasonand your guests.
Next on the list is The Big One Autumn LeavesOversized Supersoft Plush Throw Blanket.
Originally $15, it is now just $12.
This oversized plush blanket measures five bysix feet and features a lovely green background
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adorned with yellow, orange, and red leaves.
It is perfect for keeping you cozy from head totoe.
If you are looking to add some autumnal flairto your living room, the Celebrate Together
Fall Round Embroidered Pumpkin & Leaf ThrowPillow is a great choice.
It is now 30% off at $19, down from $27.
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This round throw pillow is embroidered with apumpkin, leaf, and acorn design in beautiful
fall hues of beige, orange, green, and red.
One of my personal favorites is the CelebrateTogether Fall Pumpkin Pie Felt Garland, now
just $12, down from $15.
This adorable six-foot-long garland features 11slices of pumpkin pie, each complete with a
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dollop of whipped cream in the center.
It is perfect for hanging up before yourThanksgiving dinner guests arrive.
For the kitchen, check out the Food NetworkChunky Stripe 2-Pack Kitchen Towel set, now
priced at $9, down from $15.
These towels feature chunky stripes in fallcolors, making them a functional and stylish
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addition to your kitchen decor.
The Celebrate Together Fall Pumpkin SunflowerArtificial Botanical Table Decor is another
great pick, now $16, down from $20.
This piece features a charming mix of pumpkinsand sunflowers, perfect for adding a touch of
fall to your dining table or mantle.
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Do not miss the Avanti Grateful Pumpkin LotionPump, now $15, down from $20.
This lotion pump is shaped like a pumpkin andfeatures the word 'Grateful' on it, making it a
festive and functional addition to yourbathroom or kitchen sink.
Another fantastic deal is the CelebrateTogether Fall Woven Fall Leaves Basket, now
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$12, down from $15.
This woven basket is adorned with fall leavesand is perfect for storing anything from throw
blankets to magazines.
The Celebrate Together Fall Gourd & PumpkinBowl Filler is also a must-have, now $11, down
from $13.
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This set includes various gourds and pumpkinsthat you can use to fill a decorative bowl,
adding a seasonal touch to any room.
For a bit of fun, consider the CelebrateTogether Fall Metal Pumpkin Truck LED Table
Decor, now $24, down from $30.
This metal truck is filled with pumpkins andfeatures LED lights, making it a whimsical
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addition to your fall decor.
Another charming piece is the CelebrateTogether Fall Resin Turkey Figural Table Decor,
now $12, down from $15.
This adorable turkey figure is perfect for aThanksgiving centerpiece or as a festive touch
on a side table.
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The Celebrate Together Fall Small Wood OpenworkPumpkin Table Decor is another great find, now
$24, down from $30.
This wooden pumpkin features intricate openworkand is perfect for adding a rustic touch to
your fall decor.
For serving, consider the Celebrate TogetherFall Connected Leaf Trio Server, now $20, down
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from $25.
This server features three connectedleaf-shaped dishes, perfect for serving snacks
or appetizers at your fall gatherings.
Last but not least, we have the CelebrateTogether Fall Ombre Wood Curl Pumpkin, now $16,
down from $20.
This unique piece features an ombre effect andwood curls, making it a standout addition to
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your fall decor collection.
That is it for today's episode of DailyInterior Design Inspo.
I hope you found some inspiration and maybeeven a few items to add to your cart.
Remember, you do not have to spend a lot tomake your home feel cozy and festive this fall.
Until next time, happy decorating!