From Mess to Cozy Nest: The Transformation of "Mandarin"

[Oksana127]

As promised, here’s the story behind my latest Airbnb transformation! In just one week, I turned a neglected, chaotic apartment into a cozy retreat for guests. The location? Old town, in a charming historic building with just two apartments per floor. This space consists of two bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a tiny hallway—all within 50 square meters. Small, but with great potential!

The first two days were dedicated to deep cleaning, with the help of my assistant. During this, we uncovered some not-so-pleasant technical issues that needed fixing. Once that was sorted, I spent several days hunting down the perfect pieces to bring my vision to life. My goal? To create a space that felt inviting and unique without breaking the bank. (this project  +- 700  )

    Lately, it seems like everyone is obsessed with IKEA, and while it’s practical, I prefer a more personalized touch. That’s why each of my projects has its own distinct style. For this one, I named it “Mandarin,” because the apartment’s four small rooms reminded me of little mandarin slices. 🍊

    In just a week, my team and I created what I believe is a very cozy space. We now have two comfortable bedrooms—one with a king-sized bed, the other with a queen. Both have high-quality bedding and soft window textiles. It’s the little details that make a space feel truly welcoming.

    While I’m happy with the final result, I have to admit that the photoshoot didn’t go quite as planned. I missed the morning sunlight, so the photos turned out a bit dark, but I think they still capture the warmth and character of the space. I always prefer taking the photos myself because I find heavily filtered images can feel cold and impersonal. My goal is to reflect the true warmth and energy of the space.

Overall, I'm really proud of how "Mandarin" turned out. It’s ready to welcome guests, and I can’t wait to hear what they think! 🏡✨

#AirbnbHost #ApartmentTransformation #UniqueSpaces #CozyVibes

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[Paula]

Hello @Oksana127 😊

What an impressive project and result—congratulations! Mandarin 🍊 looks like a lovely place. It’s remarkable that you and your team accomplished all of this in such a short period of time. What was the biggest challenge you faced during this process? Have you opened your calendar yet?

I’m tagging some of our amazing hosts who I’m sure will appreciate all the work you’ve done and could share their thoughts:@Anton7298, @Karen1100, @Karen4131, @Lorina14, @Nash-Cottages-LLC0, @Sorcha3 and @Livia120.

Just in case you find it useful, here’s a link with a step-by-step guide on how to start a 👉critique listing thread. This initiative is used by many new hosts to gather the best suggestions from our experienced hosts and ensure everything is set up correctly in your listing.

Regards,

[Anton7298]

Wow @Oksana127 ! What an impressive work you did.

I also like the effort of the shooter (photo). 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Oksana127]

Thank you so much, @Anton7298! I really appreciate your kind words. 😊 I'm glad you enjoyed it! Actually, I did both the design and the photography myself, so it’s wonderful to hear that you liked the overall result!

[Elif88]

It sounds like your "Mandarin" transformation was a huge success! From deep cleaning to finding the perfect pieces, you’ve created a cozy and inviting space in just a week. Even though the photoshoot didn’t go as planned, it’s clear you’ve put a lot of care into every detail. Guests are sure to love it! 🏡✨

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**[Link removed as per the Community Center Guidelines]

[Sally10]

Ho Oksana 

I love that name . also How did you come up with the name Madarin. I love all the yellow .it is quite lovely,  How is it doing so far. If I may ask.

Kindly Sally

[Rebecca]

Hello @Sally10, you've asked some great questions here. 

I'm tagging @Oksana127  so they receive a notification of your message. This ensures that they get a notification that you've replied to them specifically 🤗

Quick tip: if you type "@" and then the username, this will tag the member that you're replying to. I hope this helps to keep the conversation flowing, and if you've got any questions, just ask. 

Have a wonderful day! 🌼

[Oksana127]

Dear @Sally10

Thank you for your kind words! I’m glad you like the name "Mandarin." Interestingly, the name didn’t come from the color of the walls, but from the fact that the rooms are small and cozy, much like segments of a mandarin. I also have other projects named Orange, Grapefruit, Peach, Aphrodite, Bee, and more. Each name comes naturally after spending a few hours in the apartment, as they all seem to have their own character.

As for "Mandarin," it was booked on the very first day. After I finished the project, one of my regular guests, who often comes to Riga for work, contacted me about availability. I showed him the photos, and he reserved it until mid-November ( so Mandarin not in my listing yet here in Airbnb) After staying a few days, he asked for a dresser in the bedroom, which I agreed was necessary but couldn’t arrange in time for his arrival. However, the dresser is now in place, and my guest is happy with the improvement.