Charles Parry
(He/Him)
United States
Covers:
Budget home decor, DIY projects, interior design, small space solutions, color palettes, furniture selection, sustainable decor, room makeovers, styling tips for real homes.
Doesn't Cover:
Luxury high-end interior design, commercial or office spaces, architecture, structural renovations, real estate, plumbing, electrical work, or contractor services.
Home Decor Expert & Founder @economyhomedeco | Budget styling tips, DIY ideas & real decor advice for real homes. 🏠 economyhomedecor.com
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Founder and lead writer at Economy Home Decor (economyhomedecor.com) where I started writing practical, budget-friendly home decor guides for everyday homeowners.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No
How is social media changing news?
It's making niche expertise more accessible. A home decor expert with no magazine deal can now reach 200,000 readers directly. The gatekeepers are gone which means quality content wins over connections.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Clark Kent, mild-mannered on the surface, but always finding the story that matters most. 😄
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
#FirstWorldProblems because "my throw pillows don't match my sofa" somehow always ends up there. 😄
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email is the best way to reach me. Please include a clear subject line, a brief summary of the story idea, and how it relates to budget home decor or interior design. I prefer pitches that are concise, relevant, and include specific details about the topic.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
WordPress, Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Canva, Ahrefs, SEMrush, Yoast SEO, Google Docs, Grammarly, Pinterest, Houzz Pro
What's your favorite social network?
Pinterest, it's the most visual and inspiring platform for home decor ideas. 🏠
Why did you become a journalist?
I became a writer because I wanted to share practical knowledge that actually helps people. Home decor advice online was either too expensive, too vague, or too out of touch with real budgets. I wanted to change that one practical guide at a time.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
My guide on small living room decorating ideas. It started as a simple article but grew into a comprehensive resource covering layouts, furniture selection, color strategy, and budget solutions. Thousands of homeowners have used it to transform their spaces that kind of real-world impact is what I write for.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
A small sustainable decor brand pitched me with a handwritten note explaining exactly why their product fit my audience specific, genuine, and budget-conscious. That's how you get my attention. 😊
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
A pitch for a $10,000 sofa with the subject line "Budget-Friendly Furniture Pick." If it costs more than my car, it's not budget-friendly. 😄
What's your favorite drink?
Coffee ☕
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Walking through furniture stores and thrift shops looking for budget decor finds research never really stops. 🏠
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Architectural Digest, it's a great source of design inspiration, even when the budgets are far from economy. 😄
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That budget decorating means cheap-looking homes. In reality, some of the most beautiful, well-styled spaces I've seen were decorated on very little money. Good taste doesn't have a price tag.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.