Design Tips, Investment Properties
Shauna Lynn Simon
Expert Advice for Your Vacation Rental Property

If you own a vacation rental property (or are looking to invest in one), you know that designing a short-term rental cottage that stands out from the competition is key to attracting renters and earning repeat business. With the growing popularity of short-term rentals and Airbnb properties, it's important to create a space that not only looks beautiful but is also functional and comfortable for guests.

In this article, we'll provide you with expert tips and insights on how to design a short-term rental cottage that will have guests raving and coming back year after year. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to update an existing space, this guide will provide you with the inspiration you need to create a truly exceptional vacation home.


Start with the Basics

Before you start decorating, make sure you have all the basics in place. This includes…

Expert Advice for Your Vacation Rental Property

plants

Starting Plants from Seeds - BTSH Around The House Tip of the Week

A few weeks ago I talked about getting your yard ready for spring. While it is a great time to rake, clean up the debris of winter, and cultivate soil for our gardens, it may not be wise to put out new plants just yet. There is still some risk of frost, therefore it is best to wait for a couple of weeks. You can however get a head start by planting your seeds indoors, and allowing them to grow for a couple of weeks indoors before transplanting.

Tools You’ll Need
Seeds of your choice
Peat Moss Pots
Sharpie
Plant Marker Posts
Large Container for Pots—I used an aluminum roasting pan
Small Watering Can
Soil
Plant Food (optional)

Getting Started
All plants will have somewhat varying instructions for planting. These should be printed on the back of the packages of seeds. Be sure to read through these carefully before you begin. This year I chose to plant beans, peas, carrots, cucumbers, and rosemary. I noted when reading through that peas are actually safe to plant directly outdoors, prior to last frost. All others were planted in pots according to their directions.

Next, decide how many pots of each seed you wish to do. Using your sharpie, label the peat moss pot to easily identify the plants later.

Fill your peat moss pots with soil. Plant seeds according to the package directions. Top with soil as needed. Place pots in the container you’ve chosen (as I mentioned, I simply picked up an aluminum roasting pan and arranged my pots in there). Lightly water the seeds, and place indoors in the sunniest location.

Caring for Your Seeds
Water your seeds daily. After a few days, the seeds will start to germinate. Once you start to see some signs of plant-life, you can use some plant food if you like. Allow a couple of weeks for the plants to grow to a reasonable size before moving outdoors, ensuring that the chances of frost are minimal. The beauty of the peat moss pots is that these can be planted directly into the soil, no transferring required. Plant according to directions on the seed packages again, careful to lay out the plants based on available sunlight and their needs. For plants that grow into the ground, such as carrots, poke a few holes in the bottom of the pot to allow it to break through easily. Continue to water regularly. By summer, you’ll have a thriving, healthy garden!

Written by Shauna Lynn, Beyond The Stage Homes
www.beyondthestagehomes.com

What's The Bloomin' Truth? - BTSH Around The House Tip of the Week



Many botanists believe that May is the ideal time to plant flowers and herbs, so how do you decide what to plant?

Now that the May long weekend has come and past, most believe that it is now safe to dive into your gardening. The risk of frost is minimal for this time of year, and the urge to be outside can be overwhelming. So, where do you start?

First, you need to decide if you want to plant perennials (plants that return year over year), annuals (plants that do not return each year), or a combination of both. Annuals are great for planters, but that doesn’t mean to you need to avoid these in your gardens. Of course, the more perennials in your garden, the less maintenance required each spring.

BASIC RULES FOR SELECTING YOUR PLANTS AND FLOWERS:

Colour—just as you would in your home, choose plants whose colours compliment each other. For example, mix lavender with daffodils, and blue iris’ with marigolds, just to name a couple.

Contrast—be sure to have a variety of sizes and shapes of plants to help fill out your garden. It is always best to have your taller plants towards the back of the garden, and your shorter ones in front. This will make fore a great look aesthetically, and will prevent your larger flowers from blocking the sun from your smaller ones.

Growing Conditions—Determine whether your garden is full sun, full shade, or partial sun (meaning that it only gets a few hours of sun each day). Be sure to choose plants that are ideal for your conditions.

Some great perennials to plant now include African daisy, gladiolus, dahlias, lilies, and lavender. Plant your warm-season annuals in May as well, including begonia, chrysanthemum, geranium, marigold, petunia and verbena.

May is also a great time to plant your fresh herbs. Most herbs are perennials, and are a great addition to any garden. They add attractive greenery to your garden, while also adding fresh flavour to your meals.

Apartment bound without a garden? Consider planting your own urban garden! Use the same techniques discussed, but on a smaller scale, using planters and window boxes.

Written by Shauna Lynn, Beyond The Stage Homes
www.beyondthestagehomes.com