Pretty pastels play an integral part in the relaxed vibe of The Summer House – a boutique Airbnb property on the shores of Lake Huron. And, yes, you can book a stay here!
Photos: Lauren Miller
Sometimes, builder grey needs a little boost. We really needed to get our collective creative juices flowing for this project because we had to take this home from builder basic to unique and stay-worthy. We worked together and combined our roles as designers, short-term vacation experts and Instagram influencers to create the ultimate getaway destination.
Our clients had a unique vision for this property. After experiencing fertility issues, the couple became passionate about their journey to promote health and wellness, especially for women. You won’t even find a TV in this rental, as it’s designed as a place to unplug and unwind.
In the living room we carefully considered the colour palette for this project. It is feminine yet neutral, with soft pinks, taupes, rusts, creams and peaches. We reupholstered a vintage sofa in hardwearing indoor/outdoor pale pink fabric – the unique sofa steals the show and adds a burst of life to the otherwise white space. Open shelves allow accessories in the home’s signature palette to add colour to the all-white kitchen. While pink is the running colour throughout the house, we also created two blue bedrooms in the soft hues of the nearby lake, invoking a spa-like feel.
The tile in this property is one of our favourite design elements. You can have more fun with colour in a short-term vacation rental and take risks you might not in your full-time home. In one washroom, we created a striped pink and white pattern that echoes the rust-toned living room rug, and we did an oversized pink penny tile in the other. We would love to see more people experimenting with colour in fix ed elements such as tile, but if that’s too big of a commitment, accessories and textiles are a great place to start.
Creating custom furniture for this short-term rental was a designers dream! We transformed the dining room into a bistro nook resembling a cafe. We also created a custom 12-ft. wall-to-wall blue velvet headboard in one of the bedrooms, making it feel like a boutique hotel. For the headboard, we went with a beautiful sea-blue velvet reinforcing the relaxing atmosphere. Colour plays a valuable role in design, and can really enhance the mood of a space.
Thoughtfully designed down to the last detail means this is a place that encourages you to appreciate the moment and celebrate everything life has to offer – a perfect, restful retreat and escape from everyday life.
Tiffany Piotrowski founded Tiffany Leigh Design Inc. in 2019, bringing her eye for causal, textural and coastal style to her clients. With almost 10 years of experience in the industry, Piotrowski has developed a keen sense of voice and style. tiffanyleighdesign.com
Autumn Hachey is Creative Director and Founder of Stay Here, a boutique company which offers a holistic approach combining interior design, branding and marketing to short-term vacation owners. youshouldstayhere.com