What if the secret to a standout short-term rental isn’t just great design, but a fully cohesive experience that starts the moment a guest clicks on your listing? In this episode, I’m joined by sisters Ashlyn and Olivia, the creative powerhouses behind Abideaway. We’re diving into how a simple idea shared over a Marco Polo video evolved into a full-service studio that helps hosts build standout stays through the perfect marriage of design and strategy.

We talk about:

How interior design, branding, and web presence work together to create a seamless narrative for your property
Moving beyond "who" your guest is to what they are worrying about, and how to solve those fears through intentional layout and amenities
Why custom art is more than just a "photo op" and how it can be used to stop the scroll and reinforce your property’s story
Practical, high-impact advice on where to spend a limited budget in your kitchen, living room, or outdoor space for maximum ROI
How to mine architecture, local history, and personal passions to guide every design decision you make

But this isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about intentionality. Ashlyn and Olivia pull back the curtain on their creative process, from using Procreate mockups to ensure owner confidence to scoping mural projects that actually last. You’ll hear their "design hotline" wisdom on how to avoid the "I wish they’d thought of that" moments that kill guest reviews, and how to create a space that feels custom, memorable, and deeply resonant.

If you’ve been looking for the bridge between "just a rental" and a "cohesive brand," this conversation is your roadmap. Get ready to stop guessing and start designing with a clear, story-driven purpose.

HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:

[00:59] A short introduction about our guests, Ashlyn Feller and Olivia Gerber from Abideaway, and shares how the idea started organically between them as sisters with complementary creative skill sets

[04:31] Ashlyn and Olivia emphasize defining the ideal guest and starting with priorities to build a cohesive STR brand

[07:45] Olivia explains starting with the ideal guest avatar and using a phased approach to build a cohesive STR brand experience

[11:35] Olivia shares her philosophy of designing with intentionality and uncovering the story of a property

[13:27] Olivia describes ways for hosts who are bootstrapping their STR design to uncover and build the story of their property

[16:04] Ashlyn and Olivia explain when themed properties make sense and the role of data in decision-making

[17:44] Olivia shares why engaging a designer early in the acquisition process is beneficial

[18:45] Olivia and Ashlyn talk about what to consider in design before closing on a property and explain that designers can also refresh or elevate underperforming properties

[20:37] Ashlyn shares why murals are a powerful design tool for short-term rentals and describes how hosts can budget for them based on size, complexity, and customization

[24:16] Ashlyn describes her mural creation process from concept to installation, including design mockups, painting techniques, and care, and

[27:26] Ashlyn shares creative ideas for placing murals in both large and smaller spaces and introduces the STR Sisterhood Design Hotline as a resource for hosts seeking design guidance

[29:21] Ashlyn and Olivia describe the STR Sisterhood Design Hotline and what folks can expect if they've never been to a design hotline

[32:39] Ashlyn and Olivia explain how even a modest $1,000 budget can meaningfully improve different areas of a short-term rental when spent strategically

[34:01] Ashlyn explains how to approach branding with a limited budget by focusing on defining the overall guest experience and building a cohesive brand beyond just a logo

[37:44] The lightning round

Golden Nuggets:

“We have to go deeper and understand what that person is thinking when they're looking at properties, what that person is thinking when they are making a booking decision, what that person is stressed out about, what they're afraid of, what they're concerned about if they book the wrong property, because those are the things that ideal guest is not actually telling anyone that's a conversation he or she is having with themselves.”
“Pull some piece of the puzzle and use that as, like a seed of inspiration.”
“I am a huge believer that we are all in business to, not only, you know, improve our own lives. But isn't it great that we can proactively help each other like that just makes us all go to bed at night feeling that much better, right?”
“Build your network and build it strong.”
“If we're not aware, number one of things we need to tackle in our businesses, or things that may need improvement in our businesses, if we don't dedicate focused thinking time, which is that white space, we can go for months and even years without having those problems solved or those new ideas generated.”

Let’s Connect:

Website : https://www.abideaway.com/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090299230620

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/abideaway/

Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!