Melissa Epifano
Why hello! My aim as a lifestyle writer is to help our community design homes that feel authentic, real, and functional with home trends and color schemes expertise. Though we all love aspirational images and celebrity houses, I love to create content that makes sense for our readers' lifestyle, needs, and interests, whether they own a home, rent an apartment, share a space with parents, or live in a cozy converted van. I am a renter myself and constantly seeking out ways to personalize my home. I'm a reformed color minimalist and recently started adding splashes of color in any way possible. When I'm not editing home content, I'm usually staring at birds through binoculars, curled up with a good book, or devouring a new flavor of ice cream.
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12 Amazon renter-friendly home buys that'll upgrade any dull apartment
Jazz up your abode with these Amazon renter-friendly home buys
By Emily Lambe Last updated
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How to keep a kiddie pool clean, so you can spend your summer actually enjoying it
Learn how to keep a kiddie pool clean all summer long
By Melissa Epifano Last updated
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Irish Spring soap is the perfect pest zapper for your plants and there's two ways to use it
Gardening pros reveal how to use Irish Spring soap for plant pest control indoors and out
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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I'm copying Kourtney Kardashian and buying these chic $17 double-walled coffee mugs
Kourtney Kardashian uses these glass coffee mugs, and I'm buying them to clean up my collection
By Melissa Epifano Published
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What is maximalism? What to know about this bold design style
Meet maximalism: minimalism's alter ego
By Melissa Epifano Published
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Meet the winners of Real Homes' first-ever So Chic Awards
The winning products of our small-space awards are here
By Melissa Epifano Published
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The Hai Showerhead turned my rental bathroom into a spa — and it's $74 off right now
My friends visit just for the shower head
By Melissa Epifano Published
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9 fall dorm decor picks to embrace crunchy leaf szn on campus
For all my fall girlies
By Melissa Epifano Published
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7 boho fall decor picks that make me want to wrap up in a sweater
Where's my PSL
By Melissa Epifano Published
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Splurge vs. Save: As a superfan, here's what I'm picking up in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
Nordy girl is my personal brand
By Melissa Epifano Last updated
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15 Black-owned home decor brands to elevate your space
Get these decor brands on your radar stat
By Jaclyn Turner Last updated
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How to clean a washing machine, because yes, it totally needs it
Don't be wishy-washy about this
By Melissa Epifano Last updated
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How to clean white walls — 5 tips for when a li'l wiping action doesn't work
Scuff marks, who?
By Melissa Epifano Last updated
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11 small garden ideas if you actually have a green thumb
Spark joy with beautiful and functional small garden ideas
By Melissa Epifano Last updated
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22 deck ideas for a super stylish outdoor living space
It's chilling outside szn
By Melissa Epifano Last updated
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This content creator reconfigured a shoddy rental into a pastel accent paradise
Peep the pink appliances!
By Melissa Epifano Published
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This interior decorator's color-drenched apartment will make you want to throw anything gray out the window
Your permission slip to go bright
By Melissa Epifano Published
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These floral decor buys will make you and your apartment feel ready for spring
Good style is in full bloom
By Holly Phillips Published
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This queer- and woman-owned brand is changing the game for renters' icky lighting situations
Talk about a bright idea
By Melissa Epifano Published
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This writer's light-filled apartment makes a case for snubbing trends and prioritizing personal style
It's the green velvet couch for us
By Melissa Epifano Published
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Okay, Shea McGee's aesthetically pleasing kitchen organization hack is so easy
Keep tabs on your olive oil
By Millie Hurst Last updated
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9 home organization products that are *actually* cute enough to use in your space
My last-ditch attempt to get organized
By Melissa Epifano Published
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If you're all up for forgetting about traditional holiday decor, crush on these contemporary Christmas decs instead
Chic, not cheesy
By Melissa Epifano Published
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Brace yourself: Weirdcore and mushroom decor are coming, according to Pinterest
We have thoughts on these 2023 design trend predictions
By Melissa Epifano Published