From Bland to Brand: Architectural Design Strategies for a Signature Vacation Rental Look…
Many clients whom have jumped from owning ordinary vacation rentals to luxury vacation rentals keep repeating the same tune: Why oh why did I not think of doing this sooner? And I tell them the same thing that I will share with you; when you know, you know. Yes, as short-term vacation rental owners, you may already have successful bookings, however, what you truly desire, is longevity + originality. That usually requires thoughtful + resourceful strategy. I will share one of many strategies our studio utilizes to assist short-term vacation rental owners from being ordinary to extraordinary. Discover how to create a cohesive design identity that strengthens your rental brand and attracts premium guests.
Many clients whom have jumped from owning ordinary vacation rentals to luxury vacation rentals keep repeating the same tune: Why oh why did I not think of doing this sooner? And I tell them the same thing that I will share with you; when you know, you know. Yes, as short-term vacation rental owners, you may already have successful bookings, however, what you truly desire, is longevity + originality. That usually requires thoughtful + resourceful strategy. I will share one of many strategies our studio utilizes to assist short-term vacation rental owners from being ordinary to extraordinary. Discover how to create a cohesive design identity that strengthens your rental brand and attracts premium guests. Isn’t this dining room just spectacular? Yassssss!
Always leading with empathy…. I’m truly passionate about sharing and educating my savvy STR owners, especially when they want to reach the next level in their business. Help is on the way! The smallest tidbits could be the difference between ordinary and extraordinary; TRUST!
Let’s dive in…this is one of those details that many clients misinterpret when discussed in the preprogramming design stage. Attracting premium guests takes a curated eye and a myriad of detailed decisions that captivate + entice even the most comprehensively-thorough tasteful individual. Those guests expect luxe in many forms from spatial living, amenities, proximity to deluxe activities to varied textures, multiple finishes, layers of lighting, and statement pieces. The latter is our focused strategy this session….and it is sure to help solidify your signature look for your luxury vacation rental. Yesss, indeed.
Ensuring spaces have layering textures, finishes, lighting, and statement pieces showcases just how special your luxury short-term vacation rental could be for premium guests who love to impress + entertain. Here are a few examples of various areas of villas where first impressions are imperative to entertaining with VIP guests! The architectural design features enhance the spaces utilizing design principles to reinforce the aesthetic beautifully. The intricate details of fabrics + materials used, furnishings, and the added accessories complement the spaces while accentuating the brand intentionally.
So true…as NikiDesigns says and I wholeheartedly agree: You must remember that YOUR brand is YOUR fingerprint. So allow your story to be uniquely you and to represent you well. As storytellers through architectural design, we strive in creating your unique fingerprint…the one that truly represents you as a brand identity. Details are our words, textiles are our pages, walls and ceilings are our books….
Here are a few curated mood boards detailed with robust + moody textiles and finishes to soft + romantic textiles and finishes that assist in storytelling the full potential of your luxury vacation villa or luxury vacation condo or luxury vacation chalet. The boards showcase all the delicate design decisions needed to plan and execute the experience desired for your premium guests. Every detail is thoughtful and profound and of course, intentional. Let’s review other examples. Remember, we are telling your brand’s story authentically.
So many stunning examples of plush textures, intricate textiles, and glamorous finishes to curate those spaces from bland to brand.
“When you know, you know….”
Lastly, statement pieces like lighting can be the single statement a room needs to create that moment of joy, happiness, peace, or gratitude that a premium guest feels in your newly curated space of your luxury short-term vacation rental. I mean, let’s be honest, lighting is everything….and great lighting is the ultimate. So being strategic with statement lighting could be the spark you need to attract the sparkling guests you desire. Let’s dive into a few awesome examples that could be utilized in your villa or chalet.
I couldn’t agree more…
One instrumental strategy is curating a textural, plush, and comfy experience that tells the story your vacation rental needs to tell. Your intended story for your intended guests. Those details are imperative + numerous, as you’ve seen through our journey, however, once implemented by thoughtful and experienced design professionals, you are sure to have a winning combination! Your space is your brand. Let’s make it unforgettable!
Until next time,
Live. Love. Design!
xo Renae
Architectural Design Secrets to Higher ROI in Short-Term Luxury Rentals…..Yes Indeed!
This has been the buzz phrase for quite some time now. Curating your luxury short-term rental around quiet luxury is ideal to appeal to the masses and the wealthy. The sophistication and refinement allows for comfortable elegance, which is always at the top of my list as a design professional. Plush fabrics, comfy upholstery, and various layers of lighting help set the tone.
Keeping it real…as within my habitual candor. Great design isn’t an expense- rather an investment. It’s all about the flow of the space, how the space reads + feels, and the dope materials utilized to help tell “the” story. I’m ready to spill the tea on some lil architectural design secrets to higher return on investment just for my owners of short-term luxury rentals. If you’ve been wondering what it takes to transform your ordinary vacation rental to extraordinary luxe accommodations using tangible measurables, well let me share some of my secrets with you. I got you!
Soooo, here’s the situation at hand: most STR (short-term rental) owners misinterpret how simple architectural design decisions, like for example, layout, lighting, and material selection can translate into measurable profit and 5-star reviews.
Now, we’ve already discussed how we, as design professionals, intentionally design for an emotional + unforgettable guest experience, which encourages repeat bookings. Yesss! However, you must first get guests to book that luxury accommodation with you. You ask, well how do I do that? That part is actually simple: hire an experienced luxury architectural designer! First secret is out! Now, why should I invest in an experienced luxury architectural designer when I’ve been getting bookings with my own design scheme? Hmmmm… let’s get into that, shall we?
From a design perspective, we can pinpoint the full potential of the short-term rental and maximize it to the fullest utilizing design principals + elements to intentionally promote wellness, unity, and rejuvenation while encouraging curiosity. Through thoughtful imaginative planning and curating of elevated materials, we create classic but rather unique spaces that flow effortlessly evoking a positive feeling of balance, harmony, + order. Those simple design decisions is the difference between a 3 star review and a 5 star review or repeat bookings annually versus no repeat bookings at all. Luxury is always in. Luxury is always plush. Luxury is always ideal. It’s a lifestyle. It’s in high-demand. You can have it for your short-term rental. Yes, YOU CAN!
This has been the buzz phrase for quite some time now. Curating your luxury short-term rental around quiet luxury is ideal to appeal to the masses and the wealthy. The sophistication and refinement allows for comfortable elegance, which is always at the top of my list as a design professional. Plush fabrics, comfy upholstery, and various layers of lighting help set the tone.
A neutral color palette mustn’t be boring or monotonous; the use of varied textures, patterns, and shapes create excitement while maintaining tranquility in the best sense. In the best purpose. Just for your VIP guests. These secrets are exactly how we translate the tangiable measurables for your ROI. Your villa is now known for the having the best spa bathroom in town or the best great room to get cozy with family and friends or the best outdoor space or the best kitchen to chef it up with friends….remember, you’re selling the experience and giving the luxe accommodation to partner that exclusive experience.
“AbsoFreakingLutely!”
I cannot stress this enough: quality will never fail you. Quality over quantity, dahling.
Ensuring that you’re strategically maximizing your architectural design potential with key decisions will separate you from the pack. Especially, if your villa or chalet or bungalow is not themed out, but rather classic, stylish, and plush. Those luxurious details will not be overlooked….and will highlight your investment in many ways for many years. Trust. I promised to share some secrets….and yes indeed I shared; let’s do a quick review:
Hire an experienced luxury architectural designer.
Curate around comfortable refined luxury aka quiet luxury.
Use textural neutral color palettes.
Utilize high quality materials.
As always, it is my complete joy to share my passion and educate as well. Hoping you guys enjoyed the spilling of the tea…I spilled some drops here and there. Most short-term rental owners really do not know what we do and how we do “it”, nevertheless, I love sharing and answering any questions regarding design processes and/or expectations. I wholeheartedly mean that. I’ve always felt that I was born to create, it’s in my blood…it’s my purpose.
Until next time,
Live. Love. Design.
xo Renae
(Pictures courtesy of my Pinterest)
Harmony with the Three Ls: Layers + Luxe + Lighting!
Due to my detailed nature as it relates strictly to design, layering with luxurious textures can be highly impactful in a space. I loooovvvveeeee to touch, see, smell, + taste luxury. Honestly, it all started when I was about 8 years old and my Barbie dolls had to have the right features in their home with their specific clothes + outfits being just right and of course hair + makeup…of course! But honestly, what my parents noticed then at that moment was that I absolutely + wholeheartedly loved luxury. My dolls had fur coats, leather skirts, pearls, lace, silk, satin…you name it, Barbie had it. I did not want “the” Barbie dream house, I wanted to construct my own house that I thought was worthy of my Barbie dolls. So I begin with layering her actual dream house to ensure that life for Barbie was simple + chic. And let’s be honest, Barbie’s life was hella fab! I just enhanced it using design principles I had no idea of then. Fast forward to now, I have mastered the art of layering luxury. It is simple yet complex, and that to me is absolute thrill of it all! Just remember, if you ever have challenges with accessorizing and layering, always think of balance + harmony and if that does not work, your girl is a phone call away!
I live + breathe by true design principles + subjective layering with almost every single thing I do! Yes, more than likely you may too! And you may do it without actually thinking about it intentionally, well I know this is 100% accurate for me which ultimately stays true to my forever mantra: Live..Love..Design!
LAYERING is the one single component that can make or break the space. Too little feels stark + cold, too much feels cluttered + obsessive. That right balance, that right pop, that right contrast of textures + finishes will channel the most curated eye to attention to detail. It’s phenomenal, it’s eye-catching, it is design! And if you did not notice from the caption, it’s imperatively important!
“More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgement. More love, less hate.”
“Whatever you do, be intentional + impactful. That’s layering on its own, if you ask me.”
I am a self-proclaimed maximalist! Yesss! For sure! And one primary step of being a great maximalist is balance. To have restraint when designing is an extremely delicate talent but oh so needed when layering a space, especially with lighting and luxurious textures + finishes. I tend to believe that added levels of textures, contrast, color, proportion, scale, and lighting will amplify your space in an extremely positive way but will also allow you to explore beautifully + organically using all your senses.
LAYERS: USING TEXTURES, COLORS, SHAPES, SIZES, + CONTRAST TO CREATE A HARMONIOUSLY COHESIVE SPACE.
Who doesn’t love luxury?
I mean helllllooooo. Luxury is what drives the senses in every way. So I love to use it to my advantage by making sure all of your senses: touch, smell, sight, hearing, and taste are embodied in all of my projects. I use a lot of various smell factors like candles + incense and fresh plants + flowers in a space to balance the space and layer the totality of your flow. I love luxury and ya know, luxury loves your girl. Please believe. By successfully utilizing the simplicity + complexity of layering, spaces always seem majestic and flow oh so beautifully.
Try your hand at layering by using contrast + textures while adding lots of lighting! Ok, we will definitely touch on that, because that single-handedly can positively impact the entire look and feel of a space with general lighting, ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. My husband used to joke that he knew I was home alone when he came around the corner and saw the house “glowing” up the hill. Ok, I will admit, I am extremely afraid of the dark, but only because I like to see what is exactly in those shadows. I primarily use various lighting methods to enhance spaces but also for function and security. And you should too! A true great design aesthetic should never eliminate the power of lighting and what it can do for you. That’s real talk.
Due to my detailed nature as it relates strictly to design, layering with luxurious textures can be highly impactful in a space. I loooovvvveeeee to touch, see, smell, + taste luxury. Honestly, it all started when I was about 8 years old and my Barbie dolls had to have the right features in their home with their specific clothes + outfits being just right and of course hair + makeup…of course! But honestly, what my parents noticed then at that moment was that I absolutely + wholeheartedly loved luxury. My dolls had fur coats, leather skirts, pearls, lace, silk, satin…you name it, Barbie had it. I did not want “the” Barbie dream house, I wanted to construct my own house that I thought was worthy of my Barbie dolls. So I begin with layering her actual dream house to ensure that life for Barbie was simple + chic. And let’s be honest, Barbie’s life was hella fab! I just enhanced it using design principles I had no idea of then. Fast forward to now, I have mastered the art of layering luxury. It is simple yet complex, and that to me is absolute thrill of it all! Just remember, if you ever have challenges with accessorizing and layering, always think of balance + harmony and if that does not work, your girl is a phone call away!
As always, thank you for rocking with Sola for all these years, stay safe + chat soon!
Until next time…
xoxo
Renae