🎨 Welcome to a deep dive into the world of short-term rental design! Today, we’re chatting with Emily Tillery, an interior designer with over five years of experience, based in the Hudson Valley. 🌿 Her journey from fashion to interior design is both inspiring and creative, and she’s here to share her insights into designing for short-term rentals, including unique DIY projects and tips for repurposing materials.

Meet Emily: From Fashion to Interiors 👗➡️🏡

Emily’s journey began in fashion, where she worked for over a decade in everything from Couture to fast fashion. Over time, the environmental impact of the fashion industry pushed her to pivot into interior design, where her love for storytelling through creative spaces really blossomed. Her own personal home renovation projects led to more requests, and soon, Emily found herself designing homes and short-term rentals full-time.

🌟 “When I started in fashion, it was all about creativity and storytelling, and that’s what I bring into my interior design work,” says Emily.

The Key Differences Between Personal Homes and Short-Term Rentals 🏡 vs. 🛏️

Designing a short-term rental requires a different mindset than designing a personal home. While a personal space is about functionality for a specific individual or family, a short-term rental needs to cater to a broader audience. Emily emphasizes that it’s all about creating an experience for guests—something that feels welcoming, functional, and memorable. 🤩

🔑 “When setting up my own Airbnb, I spent time living in the space, figuring out how it functions and what it’s missing,” Emily recalls.

For short-term rentals, she stresses the importance of considering hosting experience. What amenities are necessary? What can you add that will truly elevate the guest experience? These are questions Emily asks herself when approaching any design project. ✨

Reclaiming & Repurposing: The Heart of Emily’s Design 💚

Emily’s company, Reclaimed Retreats, is all about reusing and repurposing materials—perfect for eco-conscious hosts. Whether it’s sourcing items from Facebook Marketplace or turning a vintage piece into a DIY project, her philosophy is all about minimizing waste. ♻️

One of Emily’s favorite DIY hacks? Using vintage postcards to create gallery walls! 🖼️ This simple yet unique idea allows you to tell a local story through décor, even if you’re managing a property remotely.

💡 “I love going to local flea markets or even Etsy to find vintage postcards. It’s an easy way to introduce local decor without breaking the bank,” says Emily.

Emily’s Biggest Pet Peeve: Out-of-the-Box Amazon Designs 😬

When asked what frustrates her most about short-term rental design, Emily didn’t hesitate to call out out-of-the-box Amazon furniture. She encourages hosts to seek out more sustainable and unique options rather than relying on mass-produced, low-quality items.

🔔 “The quality just isn’t there, and you end up having to replace things after a few guests, which is both costly and wasteful,” Emily points out.

Instead, she suggests curating items locally or even using reclaimed materials to create a more personalized, long-lasting space. Emily’s thoughtful design approach ensures that each piece in a rental space has a purpose and story, making it feel like home for any guest.

Final Thoughts: Imperfection is OK! 🎨

One of the most reassuring pieces of advice Emily offers is to not stress over perfection. If you’re waiting for everything to be absolutely perfect before listing your short-term rental, you might miss the peak season. Get it to a comfortable, functional place, and perfect it over time. The small details can be tweaked later!

🚀 “Sometimes it’s better to list before everything is perfect. Your photos can always be updated later,” she says.

If you want to explore more of Emily’s work or get in touch with her about your short-term rental design, you can find her on Instagram @reclaimedretreats.