The Journal

Design insights for homes and high-performing rentals.
Layout strategy. Materials that last. Rooms that make sense.

While planning summer travel, I noticed a recurring theme in vacation rental listings: bare walls. It’s one of the easiest

Originally published June 2025. Updated February 2026 with expanded guidance for homeowners and short-term rentals. If you’ve ever wondered why

The link between stylish interiors, great photos, and more bookings is clear. But what might not be obvious is that

I’ve been searching for a vacation rental for a family trip in September, and I’m stunned by how many Airbnb

Outdoor living season is upon us; is your backyard, porch, or patio summertime-ready? If not, fear not, we’ve searched far

School’s out, the weather is getting balmy, and your guests are booked. Time to sit back and relax, right? Ha!

Last week, I wrote all about how to update your bathroom on the cheap. This week, it’s “show, don’t tell”,

We’ve said it before: You must have great photos and videos to get booked. Guests want to see everything before

It’s a painful moment for any short-term rental owner: the realization that the kitchen needs an update. In truth, my

Picture this: You’re on vacation, and you’ve just arrived at your rental property. You open the door, and…yikes. The living

Less guesswork. Better rooms.

Design insights for homes and high-performing rentals.