We were recently approached about listing our house at One Fine Stay. If you're not familiar with it, One Fine Stay is like Airbnb, but a lot fancier, and with personal concierge service. They offer travelers a hotel-like experience, but in private homes that have been prepped for their stay. Joel and I are both fascinated and anxious about strangers staying in our home when we're away, but we're willing to give it a try, in hopes that it's a motivation for us to travel more.
Part of the process is a photo shoot by one of their photographers (Heather). She did a fantastic job, and I couldn't wait to share them with you!
They brought in a team to prep each room the way they would prep it for guests. They removed all our bedding, towels and excess items (papers, random water bottles, stacks of children's art), which makes us look like we don't have any clutter. As you know, this makes me very happy. :)
I vacillate between missing my pretty Dwell Studio Chinoiserie bedding and loving how clean it looks with theirs in all white.
Even the kids rooms got cleaned for their close-up! Can those ladies come live with me?
The shoot definitely convinced me that having a professional photographer take photos of my work is the way to go. I love the lighting and the crispness of these photographs.
She even managed to make the loft (which is our guest room/office/Xbox-playing room) look pretty nice. We spent a week de-cluttering before they arrived, taking 5 trash bags of stuff out of there. And it's still pretty full. I don't know how you New Yorkers do it! Where are all your books and office supplies and toys? It just blows my mind.
This room is next on the list for a makeover. I've been struggling with how I want it to look and feel. I'll document the process just as soon as I can make some decisions.
And finally, the front two rooms. Before our addition, this little living room was the center of our lives. But because we have the big "great room" now, it tends to be ignored a little bit. I'm always moving things around and trying to lure people in there.
The Art Table still gets a ton of play, and has been a dream to have. We realized that it would be a much better use of space than a proper dining room would be at this point in our lives. But of course I look forward to the day when I can start all over and put together a rockin' dining room.
Definitely check out the One Fine Stay website. It's literally as much fun as perusing the best design blogs on the internet. You get to peek into beautiful homes that are actually available for you to rent on your next vacation. Such a genius idea!
If a bar doesn't lure people in here, I don't know what will!
Orange Drive had a moment in the sun. I learned that professional photographers are a must-have, and that I deeply admire people who can keep an office clean.
And Peanut began a modeling career.
Isn't she adorable?
-All photos courtesy of One Fine Stay
