As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on th...
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As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey I’ve had as a host. What began with one humb...
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During this Christmas season, I am making a concerted effort to be grateful. With the world still in turmoil and our futures uncertain, it’s important for our mental health to look towards things that are positive in our lives. For my husband and I, our Airbnb is one of those things.
There have been times when our Airbnb has literally kept us financially afloat. It is a semi-passive source of income we wouldn’t have had during the height of COVID. On top of that, it has been a creative outlet for me.
The first time we opened our Airbnb, I wanted to make it different. I wanted to stand out. The best quality furniture went into it and every little detail was considered. We called it the Silver Birch Oasis because the pièce de resistance was a bed made from birch trees. We had a local artesian make the bed on-site and featured it heavily in our listing. Fluffy crisp white duvets, a welcoming basket, and luxurious shampoos awaited our guests.
Just before COVID hit, my daughter moved in, and we tore the Airbnb apart and took the listing down. A year later, with my daughter ready to move on, I turned my thoughts back to decorating. The bed was gone, and our furniture had found a new place in our own home. While I was excited to decorate all over again, I was concerned about investing a lot of money again when things were so uncertain.
Then inspiration struck. I purchased a fake black leather couch set, a retro metal dining room table, and a mismatched assortment of chairs. I scoured the local Facebook marketplace for other finds; retro records, a telephone table, posters, and cups. Before long, the Hippy Hideaway was born!
Guests entered their bedroom through a macrame curtain panel and found a lava lamp and hanging textiles, and a small yoga area. A record player is available in the living room and a beaded curtain separates the dining area from the living area. Posters of long-ago concerts adorn the walls and butterflies flit along the walls.
Could I live every day in this type of décor? Probably not, but through my Airbnb, I was given an opportunity to dream, imagine and vent my creative spleen so-to-speak. And for that, I am beyond grateful!
