“Creating a home away from home to meet the needs of your diverse guests is a vastly different task than designing with a specific family in mind.“
We're excited to bring you an exclusive interview with Meg Labaziewicz, an accomplished interior designer known for her exceptional ability to create beautiful and functional spaces. Meg's work spans a variety of projects, from homes to rentals, with an emphasis on crafting environments that blend aesthetics, comfort, and practicality.
In this interview, Meg shares her journey in the world of interior design, along with her insights and tips for creating stunning spaces. Whether you're looking to elevate your short-term rental property or simply enhance your home, Meg's expert advice will offer valuable inspiration and guidance.
Meg, tell us about yourself and your work as an interior designer. What led you to pursue this field, and what aspects of interior design do you enjoy the most?
Thank you so much for this opportunity. I am delighted to chat with you about two of my favorite topics interior design and travel.
I have been a wife to Peter for 34 years, a mother of two amazing daughters, an interior designer, a traveler, and a want-to-be chef. For 12 years, we lived abroad in Asia. It was my role to create a home for our family in an unfamiliar land, this is how I discovered my passion for designing beautiful, comfortable, and familiar spaces.
When we returned to the States, and we moved to Allen Texas, I made my passion a profession, developing a unique approach to interior design that combines an eye for beautifully designed spaces, an understanding of what your cherished mementos mean to you, and the financial savvy to keep projects in budget. Launched in 2016, Inspired Interiors by Meg was born after many years of designing beautiful spaces and homes for family and friends.
By understanding the finer points of design and décor, as well as current trends in style, technology, and colors, we create timeless kitchens, bathrooms, and all living spaces that are beautiful, functional, and comforting. Then we add your cherished heirlooms and mementos to reflect your personality and style, so it becomes a deeply personal space.
How do you approach designing a new space? Can you walk us through your process, from concept to completion?
It's a straightforward and effective process that we follow with every design project, big or small. We start with getting to know my clients. How do they want their home to look, feel, and function?
We'll discuss your needs and budget to offer you the best service option, so you get the inspired interior that works for you. Our service agreements include all the details you need – scope of work, design fee, budget estimate, and payment schedule. We envision your project from all angles, ensuring that the spaces flow from one room to another and that they fit your home's lifestyle, family, aesthetic, and architectural character. During this phase, we will confirm the design direction, layout, and your furnishings investment estimate. We'll source materials, furnishing, and décor to provide you with written quotes and detailed proposals. Orders will be placed with vendors and trade partners. Deliveries and services will be tracked and managed so minor issues don't become major problems. With the project complete, we'll provide care guides so you can maintain your new furniture and finishes. Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy your new space.
“Invest in pillows to pamper, ones that maintain their lofty shape and give your guest room a put-together look. Dress the beds in soft sheets topped with a billowy comforter wrapped in a beautiful duvet cover.
You can elevate your guest's stay from mediocre to perfection by noticing all the details.”
What advice would you give to Airbnb hosts looking to refresh their rental's interior design to stay competitive and appealing to guests?
Creating a home away from home to meet the needs of your diverse guests is a vastly different task than designing with a specific family in mind. My goal was to consider what travelers crave. How could interior design inspire your guests to write that all-important 5-star review for your potential guests to read?
Comfy Beds – Invest in pillows to pamper, ones that maintain their lofty shape and give your guest room a put-together look. Dress the beds in soft sheets topped with a billowy comforter wrapped in a beautiful duvet cover.
Cozy Conversation Areas – These are created using two or more chairs, a sofa, a small table, and a rug placed close enough to talk effortlessly and encourage being together. Do this by the furniture away from the wall even if there is only a little space. Make sure all the furniture is sitting on the rug. Just a couple of legs will do. And look for options to angle your furniture to add visual interest.
Hyper Local - The best part of traveling is experiencing new things, designed to echo the destination’s character. Your guests will be thrilled to try what your town has to offer. Display local art or organize a decorative book with menus from restaurants locals rave about all so your guests feel like they got a 'taste' of your city's best.
Use Your Senses - It has been proven that the smell of a house can impact how welcoming it feels. diffusers, air fresheners, and incense sticks to make your place smell like heaven. Plush spa-like towels that wrap your body in comfort. I love white towels but consider adding a black makeup removal towel and a large black towel for those of us who color our hair.
Uniqueness - Showcase what is unique and special about your Airbnb! It’s free. It may be the period architecture, the big windows that look to greenery, or the location, with easy access to shopping or skiing. don’t worry about your entire That’s not to say your entire space should reflect this but give it a good nod. Interesting interiors are a combination of many styles and evoke emotions. If you like the look and feel your guests will most likely too.
It's All in the Details - You can elevate your guest's stay from mediocre to perfection by noticing all the details. I remember reading once you should stay in your guest bedroom for a week to see what your guests experience or need. Get fancy by stocking current magazines, snacks & bottled water. You'll be the hostess with the "mostest"!
What trends should they be aware of?
As an interior designer, I am always looking ahead and thinking, as a society how are we changing and in what way do we need to change our environments to accommodate? Being mindful of this as you design will help ensure your space stays relevant for many years. Now that makes for a good investment.
Technology – Make it easy to recharge devices, especially on the bedside tables. Design a tasteful sign with the WIFI password. Install light switches that turn off by themselves and bathroom fans that sense when the humidity is low enough and stop on their own.
Showcase Nature - Natural design elements are all the rage. Consider traditional outdoor finishes like stone, slate, clay, and untreated wood to breathe life into interiors. Specifically, I like to use handmade vases and tiles. If that’s not in your budget, consider the look of handmade. I also think wood bowls with florals are gorgeous. This creates a connection between daily life and nature. If your Airbnb has views of beautiful sunsets, create a conversation area looking out the window that invites your guests to sit and relax. Who doesn’t love a gorgeous sunset?
Indoor Outdoor Living - Refers specifically to a direct connection between the indoors and the outdoors; often separated by a set of french or sliding doors. Not every space lends itself to this but if yours does, make it shine.
What strategies do you use to make small spaces feel larger and more welcoming in short-term rental properties?
Size Matters – Does the scale of your furnishings fit the size of the room? If possible, do not use furniture that is too big in a space. Have a floor plan to know which furnishings will work and where each will go.
Paint - light and bright paint makes a room look larger. Consider using the same crisp neutral paint color in different finishes throughout the space. Use high-quality flat paint on the walls for easy cleaning and touch-ups, satin, or a light sheen for the trim. Good quality paint may cost a little more upfront however, it is worth it. This tip makes a perfect backdrop for your carefully curated local artwork.
Lighting – Think about natural, task, and ambient lighting. You will want a little of all three in each space. Consider window treatments that allow maximum daylight and maximum darkness to meet your guest's needs. Bedside lamps are a must for reading and getting safely in bed. Motion sensor lighting could help your guest find their way at night both inside and outside. And if it can be solar generated, even better. Travelers are increasingly looking for environmentally friendly living.
Minimize Clutter - Walk through your rooms and consider a guest’s first impression. Declutter, organize, fluff, dust, and put items in their proper place. Bonus, pared-down rooms are much easier to clean!!!
Implied Design adds Sophistication – Consider placing a game or a puzzle on a table that encourages a family to sit together and enjoy, or beach towels and a cute straw bag by the door that leads to the beach. I prefer these to a sign that reads, “Family Gathers Here” or “Beach This Way.” Thoughtful interiors guide your experience with subtle cues. Please, no word signs.
How can hosts create a memorable and unique atmosphere in their rentals while staying on a budget? Are there any cost-effective design tips you recommend?
Location, Location – Some guests will stay in your Airbnb during certain times of the year. Remind them of that. Walk outside, trim a few branches, and place them in a vase. Don’t be afraid to mix fresh greenery with a little artificial to make your job easier. Look for the most realistic items you can find.
Shop at home first – What do you already own that can bring your space to life? You have it for a reason and finding it a new home in your Airbnb might be all it needs to shine as a focal point.
Color Scheme - Keep the same colors throughout the space and vary the degree to which you use each color in the spaces. It adds a sense of calm that will be felt often in the subconscious. This also makes it easy to move items around when you want to freshen up your look.
Branding – If you own more than one Airbnb brand them with your logo. Make a sign and hang it where your guests can see it as they arrive. Make sure they have easy access to your other properties. It’s about the elegance of presentation and accessibility. Think, is it coffee table worthy?
Personalize the Experience – Know a family will be staying? Make freshly baked cookies. Are your guests celebrating a special occasion? leave a bottle of bubbly. Whatever items you decide on, arrange them on a pretty tray with a few other like items and add a handwritten note. Nothing says welcome more than that.
I hope these tips and tricks bring out the inner interior designer in all who read them. Remember it should be fun, especially knowing the rules are easy to follow and there are a lot of right answers.
