Author My First Apartment
Marisa

Marisa Rinchiuso is a Design+Production major at Carnegie Mellon with a passion for DIY, budgeting and event management. She's always on the search for a great deal and new projects. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, crafts and travel.
What Makes a Good Roommate?
What Makes a Good Roommate?

What Makes a Good Roommate?

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Living with someone is a huge commitment; you have to share space, interact and deal with finances together. Sometimes you are thrown into a situation where you don’t have a choice of who you live with, but for when you do have a choice, you may be wondering – what makes a good roommate? Good…
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6 Step Guide to Closet Organization
6 Step Guide to Closet Organization

6 Step Guide to Closet Organization

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
The closet. An oasis, your own mini shopping mall, a place where you can reinvent yourself. Oftentimes these exciting purposes of closets get out-shadowed by mess and disorganization. Clothing can also hold a deeply personal bond which makes it even harder to organize and separate from. 1. Bring It All Out It will feel wrong to…
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10 Summer Decor Items Under $30
10 Summer Decor Items Under $30

10 Summer Decor Items Under $30

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
There is nothing that gets you in the mood for summer than a festive home. Regardless of the season, I love to buy a few little decor items every few months that make my apartment feel fresh and new. Keeping a rotation of small, inexpensive decor items is a great alternative to making expensive purchases if…
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This For That: Furnishing with High-End Looks at Low Prices
This For That: Furnishing with High-End Looks at Low Prices

This For That: Furnishing with High-End Looks at Low Prices

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Do you have expensive taste and shallow pockets? There are so many beautiful furniture options at higher-end stores such as Crate&Barrel, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, etc. However, most of us moving into our first apartment cannot afford to furnish our homes from those stores. The great thing is that most styles offered from high end…
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What To Look For In A Lease
What To Look For In A Lease

What To Look For In A Lease

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
As a contract nerd, I find leases fascinating, but not many people do. I’ve met many people who just sign on the dotted line blindly or perhaps just briefly skim the first page. Don’t be this person! You are signing a portion of your life and a lot of money to this agreement; do yourself…
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5 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Getting My First Apartment
5 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Getting My First Apartment

5 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Getting My First Apartment

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Congrats to all you new graduates! As a graduation gift from me to you, let me share a few things I wish I’d known as I moved into my first apartment. 1. It’s not a race to furnish it.  When I first moved into my apartment, I wanted the idyllic Pinterest-worthy apartment as soon as…
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10 Furniture Pieces Every Apartment Needs
10 Furniture Pieces Every Apartment Needs

10 Furniture Pieces Every Apartment Needs

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Furnishing an apartment for the first time can be a scary proposition. What do I really need? How much will it cost? Where should I start? If you start with these 10 essentials, you can then fill in with accessories and smaller items as your budget allows. The total tab to our lower priced options…
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Apartment Hunting with Your Roomate(s)
Apartment Hunting with Your Roomate(s)

Apartment Hunting with Your Roomate(s)

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
As many people leave home, leave school, or just need a change of pace, it is apartment hunting season! It can be really expensive to live alone, not to mention, it’s fun to live with roommates! So, once you’ve decided who you’re going to live with, it’s time to start the hunt. Before the Hunt…
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About Lighting and Your Mood
About Lighting and Your Mood

About Lighting and Your Mood

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Lighting is something you can see but you don’t really feel. Or do you? Research shows that lighting actually heavily affects mood. It is a intangible way to manipulate your space into giving you the environment you want! Lighting can make you more energized, happier, calmer and even, yes, hungry. So, what should you know…
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Finding Your Decorating Style
Finding Your Decorating Style

Finding Your Decorating Style

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Decorating and styling your first apartment can be overwhelming and confusing. There are so many different styles and fads that sweep through the home & garden industry. Admittedly, it’s also costly to change your mind many times when decorating. However, being able to figure out your style before you start buying will allow you to make…
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