Lightening a Living Room & Netflix's "Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model" | Uploft Interior Design
2/19/2026 | 30 mins.
In this episode of the Uploft Interior Design Podcast, I share how much fun I’ve been having creating TikTok content for Uploft and invite listeners to submit their design questions, then dive into my current pop culture obsessions—the Olympics (especially figure skating) and Netflix’s new documentary Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model. I answer a listener’s question from Palm Beach Gardens about choosing a new sofa and layout for her open-concept living space, encouraging her to move away from a cream sofa, embrace a deeper neutral, add a dining room rug, and break up all the wood tones for a more sophisticated look. I also unpack my complicated feelings about the ANTM documentary, reflecting on my own experience working in the modeling industry, calling out the show’s problematic treatment of contestants, lack of accountability, and undelivered prizes, while acknowledging the industry’s long-standing harsh realities.
Timestamps:
00:00 – TikTok updates + How to submit your design questions02:20 – Nancy Guthrie Case + Olympic figure skating drama06:26 – Listener question: open-concept living room dilemma11:19 – Sofa color advice + breaking up all the wood tones16:05 – ANTM Netflix documentary review22:28 – Industry realities, Tyra’s response24:23 – Final thoughts
Submit your design questions to be featured on the show
Become a Premium Member and access the bonus episodes
Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.
Get Betsy's book: betsyhelmuth.com/book
For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com
For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com
Betsy Helmuth shares updates on premium membership, explains the irregular episode schedule, and invites listener questions. She discusses personal life challenges and answers design questions about kitchen cabinet colors, bar area design, and coordinating kitchen and living room styles. Plus, there's news about a new YouTube channel and social media links.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction and premium membership details
1:27 Explanation for erratic episode schedule
2:09 Request for listener questions
2:51 Personal life updates and challenges
5:40 Answering Bobby's question about kitchen cabinet colors
14:23 Answering Michelle's question about bar area design
21:36 Answering Heather's question about kitchen and living room style
33:57 Mailbag status and closing remarks
34:19 Announcement of new YouTube channel and social media links
- Consider two-tone kitchen cabinets to balance aesthetic appeal with practicality, especially in high-use areas like kitchens. - Mixing wood tones in furniture and decor can create a cohesive rustic feel, but be mindful of matching or complementing surrounding elements like floors and countertops. - When designing a space, ensure that prominent fixtures like pendant lights and hardware are consistent with the overall metal finishes to avoid visual dissonance.
Submit your design questions to be featured on the show
Become a Premium Member and access the bonus episodes
Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.
Get Betsy's book: betsyhelmuth.com/book
For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com
For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com
In this episode of the Uploft Interior Design Podcast, I share how I’m fully in hibernation mode thanks to freezing temperatures and Olympic binge-watching, while also being completely glued to social media for updates on the shocking Nancy Guthrie case. Between juggling sick family members and recording late at night, I dive into listener Kassidi’s design questions, starting with updates to her living room—where I praise her larger rug and new additions but caution against using formal art lights over casual canvas prints, urging her instead to add more functional lighting and better surface space. I then walk her through smart rug placement in her small entryway and long hallway, recommending a properly sized runner and a practical, patterned entry rug. Finally, I advise her on updating her in-laws’ bathroom, suggesting they paint the existing trim and doors and upgrade hardware rather than partially replacing doors or trim, focusing on improvements that deliver the most impact for resale and overall cohesion.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Winter hibernation updates, Olympics & pop culture buzz
08:45 – Living room progress & larger rug win from listener Kassidi
14:30 – Why art lights don’t fit casual canvas prints
Submit your design questions to be featured on the show
Become a Premium Member and access the bonus episodes
Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.
Get Betsy's book: betsyhelmuth.com/book
For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com
For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com
Betsy Helmuth shares her summer adventures and the design inspiration she discovered along the way. She answers a listener's question about designing an entryway, offering practical tips and creative ideas. After a brief sponsor message promoting her online classes, Betsy continues with more entryway design advice. She then addresses another listener's question about design software recommendations. Closing remarks and thanks round out the episode.
Timestamps:
0:00 Betsy's summer adventures and design inspiration
- Investing in functional furniture, like a shoe bench with storage, can significantly enhance the practicality of narrow entryways. - Exploring historical sites and architecture can provide unexpected design inspiration and a deeper appreciation for different styles and eras. - When choosing design software, consider user-friendly options like Icovia for floor planning, especially if you're primarily focusing on furniture layout rather than detailed architectural work.
Submit your design questions to be featured on the show
Become a Premium Member and access the bonus episodes
Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.
Get Betsy's book: betsyhelmuth.com/book
For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com
For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com
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TBT: Ceiling Paint and Tween Rooms | Uploft Interior Design
2/05/2026 | 27 mins.
Betsy shares her summer plans and answers listener questions about painting ceilings and bedroom layouts. She discusses closet doors and vertical furnishings, announces a new YouTube channel, and invites listeners to submit questions before her maternity leave.
Timestamps:
00:00 Premium membership announcement
01:31 Betsy discusses her summer plans
06:40 Alana's question about painting ceilings
08:37 Betsy's advice on ceiling painting
14:33 Jennifer's question about her daughter's bedroom layout
18:57 Betsy's advice on closet doors and vertical furnishings
24:31 Announcement of new YouTube channel and social media links
- You don't need a high-end designer or a lot of money to achieve a luxurious look in your home. - In small rooms, don't hesitate to block windows with furniture if it maximizes space and functionality. - Using vertical furnishings and strategic placement like diagonal arrangements can help a room feel less cluttered and more visually dynamic.
Submit your design questions to be featured on the show
Become a Premium Member and access the bonus episodes
Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft’s Interior Design Academy.
Get Betsy's book: betsyhelmuth.com/book
For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com
For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com
Get fresh tips from budget decorating guru, Betsy Helmuth. Each episode is packed with interior design secrets the other pros don't want you to know and with answers to your burning questions. Betsy owns Uploft Interior Design and has been featured on HGTV, NBC's "Today Show", CBS News, Lifetime, and more. She penned the best-selling books, "Big Design, Small Budget" and "Affordable Interior Design". Helmuth has shared her affordable interior design advice and DIY approaches with millions through live workshops, her design books, guest columns, television appearances, and interviews. She brings her knowledge to podcasting, discussing color palettes, pattern mixing, budget creation, floor plan maximization, and more.
Hosted by interior designer and Uploft Interior Design founder Betsy Helmuth, this podcast is your go-to source for creating a stylish home—without breaking the bank. Each week, Betsy shares expert tips, design strategies, and real-life listener makeovers that prove you can live beautifully no matter the budget. In the second half of each episode, Betsy dives into the latest in pop culture—from design shows to juicy reality TV to buzzy streaming hits.
It’s the perfect mix of practical design advice and fun, unfiltered commentary. Whether you’re looking to refresh your space or your watchlist, this podcast has you covered.
Ask Betsy Helmuth a design question here: uploft.com/podcast Upgrade to a premium member and access the bonus episodes here: uploft.com/podcast Become an interior designer with Uploft’s Academy here: uploftinteriordesignacademy.com For more design tips, visit affordableInteriordesign.com For our residential interior design services, visit modernInteriordesign.com For our commercial interior design services, visit officeInteriordesign.com