The Housing Muse

Recent Episodes

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2025 Home Design Trends: The Good & The Bad
Nov. 5, 2024

2025 Home Design Trends: The Good & The Bad

EPSIODE 53: What’s hot in 2025 for home design? To sum up, it’s getting loud! Home designer and stager Krisztina Bell joins Melissa Dittmann Tracey on The Housing Muse Podcast to break down the hottest home trends for 2025 .…
A Home Remodeling Disaster: Don’t Let It Happen to You
July 17, 2024

A Home Remodeling Disaster: Don’t Let It Happen to You

EPISODE 52: Jody Costello was eager to start a two-story addition on her 1940s home that would include an owner’s suite and upper deck. But she quickly learned hiring the wrong contractor for the job can be a costly mistake.…
Find Your Home's Chi: How to Feng Shui Your Space
June 19, 2024

Find Your Home's Chi: How to Feng Shui Your Space

EPISODE 51: What is feng shui? Can it actually make you feel good and make you like your home more? Could it even help you sell your home? Feng Shui expert and author Steve Kodad joins The Housing Muse Podcast to breakdown t…
You’ll Never Look at Your Home’s Clutter the Same
May 23, 2024

You’ll Never Look at Your Home’s Clutter the Same

EPISODE 50: The overstuffed closets, cluttered counters and piles of unopened mail may be more than just household annoyances. It may be hurting your mental or physical health—maybe even more than you know. Professional orga…
Is That Home a Money Pit or Hidden Gem?
May 10, 2024

Is That Home a Money Pit or Hidden Gem?

EPISODE 49: A fixer upper--that is, a home in need of some TLC--could help you strike real estate gold, allowing you to possibly even double or triple the home’s value. But to get that type of ROI, you need to buy smart. We …
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Recent Blog Posts

2025 Colors of the Year: The Paint Trends to Watch

Need some paint color inspiration for your next home project? Each year, the leading paint firms weigh in with their paint picks for the “Color of the Year.”   The paint trends for 2025 appear to be leaning in heavy on the browns,…

2024 Colors of the Year: The Paint Trends to Watch

Bring on the blues in 2024! Several paint firms opted for the blues for the “2024 Color of the Year,” while other firms stayed with more earthy tones. Use this list as inspiration for your paint projects around the home in the new year. …

Decorate Like a Designer: 5 Affordable Home Accessories

A few home accessories in the right places can make all the difference. In a recent episode of The Housing Muse Podcast, I spotlighted several décor pieces that TV-designers love. Let’s breakdown a few more key elements in adding to you…
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About the Host

Melissa Dittmann Tracey Profile Photo

Melissa Dittmann Tracey

Podcaster / Blogger / Journalist

Melissa Dittmann Tracey is known as "the housing muse" and the creator and host of The Housing Muse Podcast. She is an award-winning journalist who has been covering the real estate and home design industry for more than 15 years. She was named by Fixr.com as one of the "Top 30 Home Improvement Journalists" in the nation for 2024. She is also the creator of the Styled, Staged & Sold blog (the No. 1 home staging blog in the country voted by Feedspot for the last five years and counting). You also can hear her weekly on the syndicated radio show and podcast, Real Estate Today, with her segment "Hot or Not?" in home design. She has contributed to dozens of publications over the years, including U.S. News & World Report, BobVila.com, Homes.com, HouseLogic.com, PEOPLE, Chicago Tribune, REALTOR, and more.

Reviews

Great Stuff!!

"This podcast is not only extremely entertaining, but is packed with tons of useful information. If you want to save money and avoid making mistakes, just listen!!"

Paul | Jan. 17, 2024

Love The Housing Muse

"Melissa is awesome!! She so on top of trends and her podcasts are lively and informative."

db_wings | Oct. 26, 2021

Knows her stuff!

"Melissa has been involved in the home staging, real estate and design industry for many years so she really knows what she’s talking about! She also has a way of taking difficult information and maki…"

Trevski14 | Aug. 16, 2021

Must Listen Podcast

"Melissa always has such valuable information to share when it comes to decorating a home or just to get that inspiration you are looking for to really make a home warm and inviting and your own perso…"

krisztinabell | Aug. 3, 2021

Just found this gem!

"This was a remarkably insightful podcast! Looking forward to the next episode!"

rpm1234589 | Aug. 3, 2021

The Housing Muse Podcast

"Melissa Dittmann Tracey brings a big dose of creativity and fun to her podcast, while sharing great tips on home design and staging. The podcast is perfect for real estate professionals who want to h…"

re-editor | July 30, 2021

Love this Podcast!

"This is so much fun! If you listen to Melissa, you'll know how to make your place awesome! She's the best! I wish I has found this podcast 10 years ago!"

HD_Dude | April 6, 2022
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