What makes renting a highly rated vacation home so nice? Much of it is due to the home’s location and proximity to fun activities. But another factor is that, in a good rental, everything from the bedding to the furniture to the decor is carefully chosen and prepped so you can unwind and enjoy. If you can’t get away this summer or just want to transform your home into a cozy retreat, you can make it look and feel like a posh Airbnb with these tips.
Have you noticed that the best rentals have everything you need, with nothing out of place or difficult to find? To get that experience in your home, try to make it as neat and organized as you can, donating what you don’t use or storing it in your attic. You could also have your place professionally cleaned. Once it’s tidy, you can rest easy knowing that there are no chores that need to be done.
Are your bed and sofa comfy and attractive? If not, consider splurging on a new sectional sofa or king-sized bed or dressing up your existing couch with a good-looking slipcover and stylish blanket. You could also make your bed more luxurious by adding crisp sheets, a foam topper, and fluffy pillows. Lend a spa feel to your bathroom with soft towels, a warming towel rack, and therapeutic shower steamers, aromatherapy tablets that release comforting scents when placed in the warm water of your shower.
Vacation rentals’ special amenities are often what make them so appealing. Think about what unique features could turn your home into a fun vacay spot. You could start small by adding just one new feature and gradually bringing in more as your budget allows. Here are some ideas for upgrading your home’s inside spaces.
You might want to enjoy the beautiful summer weather during your staycation, so why not turn your backyard into a fun destination with these suggestions?
If you vacation at home this summer, use the money you save by not traveling to augment your staycation experience. You could order a week of easy-to-prepare meals from a service like HelloFresh or Blue Apron, get takeout from DoorDash or Grubhub, or treat yourself to a Netflix or Amazon Prime subscription.
Summer is synonymous with grilling, and if you’re craving some flame-kissed foods—ideally shared with loved ones around the table—try these recipes straight from The BBQ Companion. Both dishes taste indulgent while being practically guilt-free.
A variety of flavors combine with nutrient-packed greens for a balanced side dish.
Learn how to make fall-off-the-bone pork slathered in a rich and smoky sauce.
Recipes from The BBQ Companion: 50 Recipe Cards for Grilling Perfection by Oscar Smith. Smith Street Gift, 2023. Photography © Billy Law
Serves 4 as a side
Serves 4
When it comes to stylish kitchen design, minor touches can offer the greatest impact. Take your backsplash, for example. Beyond serving the purpose its name indicates—protecting your walls from splattered spaghetti sauce, wayward vegetable juice, and other messes—this feature adds significant texture, color, and sheen to its surroundings. The right backsplash can even tie separate visual elements of the space together for a cohesive, well-curated appearance. If you’re curious about how to fill this blank canvas in a new kitchen or thinking of upgrading your current materials, look no further than these five gorgeous options.
The trend of continuing the countertop into the backsplash shows no sign of leaving. This approach creates a clean, consistent visual motif, minimizing the total number of materials that comprise your kitchen. But we could be seeing less of certain types of stone, including sterile gray-and-white Carrara marble and monochromatic quartz. Rather than selecting a stark surface, opt for a warm-hued one with notes of sunny yellow or blush pink, such as Rosa Portugal marble. Such a colorful option will pair nicely with naturally finished wooden cabinetry and flooring as well as bronze or gold fixtures, bringing out their warm tones for a cozy, entertaining-friendly ambience.
For even more dramatic results, consider going dark, cool-toned, and intense with your stone backsplash, carrying an opulent material like blue sodalite marble across your work surfaces and walls. While dark kitchens were once scoffed at as too bold or moody, they’re now appreciated for their mature sophistication. However, be sure to design around deep tones wisely: choose high-gloss paint finishes and fixtures wherever possible to catch more light, then use softer neutrals elsewhere for contrast—think white oak flooring or pure-white wall paint. The resulting visual balance will heighten the effect of your stone backsplash, showcasing it as a stunning focal point.
Painting your backsplash could be one of the most unique ways to imbue your kitchen with enviable style. It will break from the expected, add intrigue to a potentially simplistic design, and exhibit an appealing work of art right at eye level. But don’t limit yourself to solid-colored paint. Rather, let your imagination run wild by freehand painting or stenciling geometric patterns, floral designs in tropical shades, or other avant-garde elements.
If you’re seeking inspiration, look to your favorite artists or social media muses for wonderfully wild ideas. And to work without fear of your results being permanent, apply peel-and-stick wallpaper you can simply paint over. This will also save you the trouble of priming and applying multiple layers in the future—especially should you intend to sell your home.
Of course, if you’d prefer to just slap on backsplash tile and call it a day, you have plenty of suitable options, including classic ceramic. This veritable staple of ’80s and ’90s kitchens is making a comeback with a modern twist: painted tiles in a solid natural color alongside satisfyingly thick grout. You can opt for a neutral tone like russet for soothing visual balance or draw attention with forest green or sea blue.
For an even more current touch, use the color-blocking technique, installing two or three stripes of harmonious colors across your backsplash. And, naturally, you should ensure that your grout is complementary; refer to an online color palette guide like this one to find a good fit. However, keep in mind that a darker hue will show fewer food stains and be generally lower maintenance than lighter alternatives.
If ceramic isn’t your taste, venture beyond the ordinary by going for metal instead. After all, this material is likely already present in your kitchen’s faucets, large appliances, cabinet hardware, and light fixtures. Plus, leaning into a metallic concept can subvert the expectations of a typical kitchen, lending this central room of the home surprising, cutting-edge characteristics.
For example, timeless tin ceiling tiles make for a stunning backsplash, while eye-catching penny tiles in a copper finish give walls a wonderful texture. To balance the effect, add some soft decorative touches to the room, including potted herbs and colorful canisters. Such decor will provide a warm contrast to these cold metal surfaces without concealing their bold facades.
Perhaps more than any other room, the kitchen requires thoughtful design choices to balance its everyday use with an elegant style that lasts. The best backsplash for you will ultimately depend on your lifestyle, budget, and overall home architecture, but these five ideas can offer an excellent jumping-off point. Approach the project with careful thought, and you can transform this feature from a merely practical element into an eye-catching, memorable centerpiece.
Interior designer Lorna Gross explains how she imbued a waterfront Tampa Bay home with comfort and class while crafting remarkable outdoor spaces that beckon its owners to enjoy the seaside scenery.
Would you tell us about your design experience?
I earned my interior design degree from Marymount University in Virginia. I worked for a couple of design firms, including one that styled large estates and palaces in the Middle East. There, I learned about project management, drafting, and virtually every area of the industry that you could touch.
I have had my own firm for about twenty years now. We are based in the DC area—North Bethesda, Maryland—but we have served clients all over North America and in London.
What is your approach to design?
I feel that there’s a difference between chasing your own creative freedom and serving your clients the right way. Some designers have signature styles, and people go to them for that specific look, but our firm is known for personalization because no two clients are the same; that’s why you see a huge variety of styles in our portfolio. I get a kick out of peeling back the layers to understand who my clients are and enjoy designing in such a way that makes it difficult for people to copy and repeat my work. I don’t think that someone should leave their house, go next door, and see the same things. Every home should totally express who each owner is as an individual.
What was your inspiration when designing this home?
This was actually the second of three projects I did for the clients. Their former residence was a Virginia estate home that was more woodsy and charming versus this waterfront Tampa Bay property, which has now become their permanent residence. They like the area because of the beautiful water, obviously, but also the local amenities.
They wanted this place to feel a little bit more Floridian, so I brought in brighter colors like sea green, aqua, salmon, and turquoise for a serene atmosphere. It was also critical for me to honor the location and the view. In every space, I either wanted to have furniture face the water or accent it or let the scenery speak for itself.
Because I designed for them before, the clients had full trust in me and I could make choices quickly since I was already aligned with their lifestyle and personalities. For example, the dining area and open living room are more fun, buoyant, and vibrant. But with them being introverts, I felt like they also needed quiet and private spaces they could retreat to, such as the primary bedroom. There, I paired the serene bed with soothing accent wallpaper and a seating area where they can put their feet up and have tea.
How did you craft a calming vibe that also feels engaging?
Color was so important to this home. I used warm shades versus sterile and cold ones, which make people not want to approach a room, and I made areas with neutral hues inviting by incorporating a lot of different materials and patterns. For instance, the upstairs loft has swivel chairs with a warm, natural texture, and in the primary bedroom, materials like rope and burlap and some patterned pillows add texture. Subtle touches of tropical colors, like ones in modern artwork, also give this home a unique feel compared to a typical beach house.
What was your strategy for designing the outdoor spaces?
The house has several exterior areas for hosting, which was exciting for me. I got to make each one feel a little different. Every spot has a distinct color scheme because the personality and intention of a space should come through subliminally as you move through it.
So the lanai, for example, is a little more formal; it’s structured a bit traditionally for a more classic aesthetic. And then the seating area around the pool is more contemporary and casual. I kind of see it as a “martini spot” where the clients can hang out with friends and look out at the gulf view and the pool’s infinity edge. In addition, the furniture has a nice combination of pieces with hosting and solitary purposes. If they want to lay out, there’s a stunning spot for that, or they can put their feet up and have a conversation. There’s even a sectional where the clients can entertain a larger group of people.
Which was the most challenging space to design?
I’d say the lanai since it’s very elongated. It’s sometimes difficult to design long and narrow spaces because you don’t want to overfurnish and crowd them, but you also don’t want to underfurnish them to the point that they’re sterile. So we incorporated different purposes into the lanai: there’s space for cooking, eating, and formal lounging and a spot way in the back where the clients can sit by themselves to read a book or just take in the view.
Another challenge was the exterior walls of the house, which had to be hurricane proof because it’s right on the waterfront. Such walls can make a home feel harsh like a fortress, so one of them in the backyard has drapery on it, which intentionally softens what would otherwise be a harder aesthetic.
What are some upcoming outdoor design trends that appeal to you?
I’m excited about where outdoor living is going because it really is living. This home is a good example of how far these features have come—you can do virtually everything outside that you can inside. Exterior kitchen appliances, TVs, and lighting are so much more advanced. Products have different curves and finishes instead of looking standard and practical. Up until maybe six years ago, outdoor textiles were still somewhat flat, but processes have improved so that you can have beautifully soft, colorful fabrics that are still weather resistant. As a designer, that gives me more flexibility to create a better, more interesting outdoor aesthetic that allows my clients to lounge.
For more info, visit lornagross.com
