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6 Mistakes to Avoid with Your Home Office

Erin Moriarty

Look, we’ve ALL been cooped up at one point or another during this pandemic. We have cleaned, organized. We’ve mastered sourdough and finally wrangled all those dust rhinos (mine weren’t cute little bunnies!) from under every piece of furniture.

And as you sit back to enjoy your accomplishments, your eyes gaze out your windows…UGH. Mis-matched drapery, ill-fitting miniblinds you bought to make do, hand-me-downs that were in the house when you bought 15 years ago, or even worse… nothing. Nada. Just heat-sucking, glare-producing sheets of glass! EEEK!

‘MAKE DO’, NO LONGER!


BUT wait, before you RUSH into buying new shades for your home, let us share the top 6 mistakes to avoid when ordering your window treatments online.

  • GET FABRIC SAMPLES. You’re excited. You’ve made the decision to invest in your home, your comfort, your privacy. YAY! Good for you! Now, take a deeeeep breath and order fabric samples FIRST. Our samples are complimentary. Yes, ordering them, delays the gratification of checking off your ‘to do’ list, but it is SUCH a crucial step. Your phone or computer screen can totally misrepresent the colors. Truth. Light is different in your home, and it has the power to transform colors. So order fabric swatches. They’re FREE. This way you won’t be disappointed that your brandy new shades look ‘too something’.
  • THINK FUNCTION. We gotta break the news to you…LOOKS are important, but not more important than function.  Yes, of course you want them to look fabulous, and they will. Shading dramatically changes the look of your room. But do not pick a shade solely because you like the way it looks. The shade has to WORK for your lifestyle: your new WFH style. Do you have a TON of heat coming into your East-facing windows in the morning? Does the glare make looking at your computer monitor excruciating? Top Down/Bottom up Shades can provide total window coverage or just a smidge, depending on your need. Does your older home have drafts that freeze you to the bone? Our Energy Saving Sidetracks will seal those dastardly drafts! And if you don’t know what kinda shade or fabric will work best for your particular window situ, our shady gurus are here to guide you!
  • MEASURING FOR SUCCESS. We’ve all heard that adage, “measure twice, cut once.” Well, we say, “Measuring Correctly with our AWESOME instructions” Each shade we handcraft is made to precisely fit each window. And no two windows are the same. Like snowflakes. Never assume they are. It is a dangerous road. When windows aren’t measured properly, it can lead to HUGE light gaps, letting in blinding Sun that you wanted to eliminate in the first place! Now don’t fret. We have super duper helpful videos. We have worksheets. We have step-by-step instructions and if that’s not enough, we’ll connect with you via Facetime (or the like) and walk you through it. We got you. Cross our shady hearts.
Just ask this Pupper, mounting can be TRICKY!
  • WHERE OH WHERE TO MOUNT? While we’re on the topic of measuring, have you heard about the differences between inside mounting and outside mounting your shades? Whaaaaaa? You haven’t?! Oh my, ok so…. there are two ways to install your shade. Outside (on top of the window frame) is ideal for ultimate light blocking, and for wonky windows (ya know the ones that look more like a trapezoid or parallelogram). Outside mounting also covers those *clears throat* less attractive frames. Inside mounting is the most common. Snug as bug in…ahh window? Yep. You should also consider the depth of your window frame. Is it enough to accommodate all of our insulating powers?! And if not, will you be ok with a tiny under-hanging?
Left: Outside Mount Right: Inside Mount
  • WHAT’S YOUR M.O.? OMG, so you’ve decided what kinda shade you want. You’ve ordered samples and picked the most perfect color for each room. You’ve measured and re-measure…and it’s time to ORDER! HOLD it, right there, buckaroo. Have you explored all the fantastical shading options? Our ‘standard’ shade is awesome and meets the needs of a lot of homeowners. But there is SO much more to explore. We have cordless shades, ideal for a home with small children or pets. Cordless shades are sleek, but don’t necessarily work for every window. We know of one customer whose husband is 6’5. He sweetly ordered Top Down/Bottom Up shades for his wife’s home office. She’s 5’4. She couldn’t use the Top Down feature without breaking out the step stool. NOT convenient for everyday use. He called us back and purchased an extension pole, and now ALL are happy! There are a LOT of different operating systems(even motorized). You can choose what side you want the cord to be. How much insulation do your windows need? Our double-cell fabric is ideal for saving energy on your heating/cooling. And then there are our Energy-Saving Sidetracks. They aren’t for every window, or every home. But when they are needed, they are TRULY life-altering.
  • DON’T FORGET PROTECTION. Now, what happens if, perish the thought, something happens to your brand spanking new shade? Animals & kiddos, wild disco painting parties happen. Life happens. We’re human too. We totally get it. Step 1. DON’T PANIC. You simply gotta do business with a company that understands all of this. We have an AWESOME warranty. And our shades last for decades. No, we’re not overstating. Our shades last for 1, 2 sometimes 3 decades. They’re THAT good. So, that’s something super duper important when ordering your shading online. ANYONE can sell you something, but not everyone supports what they sell. Once you order with us, you become a part of our shady family.
  • HOME OFFICE FUEL. What are we talking about? That magical, warm, rich, *slightly addictive*, comforting, some would go as far as saying their ‘dark lord’….COFFEE! Personally? I quit coffee for 2 years. Nope, didn’t even substitute tea or any other caffeinated products to offset. And I gotta tell ya, my life was empty. I missed my buddy, coffee. Whatever trips your trigger, make sure to enjoy your beverage of choice at your home office. Because there you can make it EXACTLY the way you love it, and not have the barista butcher your name.

Email us: service@cellularwindowshades.com

CONTINUING TO MAKE PROGRESS!

Erin Moriarty

Woohoo! We’re back to full production capacity, while carefully following all CDC safety guidelines, of course. As a result, we’re furiously working away at the backlog of orders placed while we were unable to operate (thank you so much for your faith and your patience!!!).

It remains somewhat difficult to determine precise production times for new orders. Our current estimate? Orders placed today will ship in approximately 3 weeks. And we’ve added new staff and taken other measures to try to reduce our turnaround times even further!

As always, please continue to reach out with any questions. And again, thank you so very much for the tremendous support we’ve received!

What’s that ol’ saying?

Erin Moriarty

“All Good Things Must Come to End?”

Well, that time is now, our shady friends. We’ve NEVER offered this kinda discount before. EVER!  Our 50% sale was a temporary response to the global pandemic, and it’s not something we can sustain under “normal” operating conditions.

Alas, the sale must come to an end on Sunday 5/31.

The good news? We’re back in full production mode, which is VERY exciting! It was our great pleasure to do what we could to help, and to honor your patience and loyalty to our small Vermont business. Truly!

Thank YOU, our amazing CellularWindowShades.com family! It might sound trite, but we ARE all in this together.

Wait, what was that? You say you need more time?

If you know us at all, you know we want you to be thrilled with your purchase. We want it to be perfect for you. Do you need to order samples, so you can choose your ideal fabric color? Are you worried about rushing your window measurements? Pffft… relax!

Take your time and get things just right!

Simply shoot us an email and we’ll happily extend the 50% discount for you!

(OK, maybe not for months – but for any reasonable period. 🙂 )

Update from CWS President!

Erin Moriarty

Hi Valued CellularWindowShades.com Family!

As promised in my last note, I am reaching out because there has been a new development in our situation. On Friday, we received the GREAT news that Vermont’s numbers for Covid-19 cases are tracking better than predicted in the best case scenario! This is largely credited to our state’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” policies. In order to continue the trend and beat this thing completely, our Governor has decided to extend the order through 5/15, at which time we expect to be running full speed getting shades built and out the door to you!

I understand that this extension can be frustrating for some of you. And believe me, all I want is to get my team back to work just as quickly as it’s safe to do so! I truly appreciate the outpouring of support we have received from clients like you.

The fact that you show such caring for this small Vermont manufacturer and are willing to work with us through this uncertainty makes me confident that all of us will make it through this… together!

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. I am here for you.

Warmly,

Kelly

COVID-19 UPDATE 3/26/2020

Erin Moriarty

Dear Cellular Window Shades Family,

The state of Vermont has recently issued a directive to temporarily close all non-essential businesses. We believe these closures will help get our nation back to normal more quickly, and so in our efforts to be a part of the solution are complying with the directive.

What this means is that our admin staff will be working from home and here to help as normal! We can answer questions, get you an estimate, and take orders. What we are not able to do at this time is guarantee a delivery date for your shades. However, we absolutely commit to above-average communication as we navigate these next few weeks. We will keep in touch to let you know the status of your order.

We’ll also post new announcements at our website as our status changes. In addition, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns – or to have company updates personally emailed to you. We would love to keep in touch and to know that you are safe and well during this unusual period. In all sincerity, we’d be happy just to chat if you’d like somebody to talk to!

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and for the outpouring of well-wishes our small Vermont company has already received. You are in our thoughts, and we hope for the very best for each of you as we all pull through this together!

Sincerely,

Your Friends at CellularWindowShades.com

How’s everybody doing?

Erin Moriarty

Hello, Dear Cellular Window Shades Family!


My name is Kelly Clements, and I am the president of CellularWindowShades.com. Our company is a small manufacturing business based in the green mountains of Vermont, where we have been passionately building custom window coverings since 1986. 

I care deeply about my team and each of our valued clients. As such, I have been working hard to do what’s right to keep our entire team healthy during this time, while still building and shipping our clients’ shades in a timely manner. As of now, our production team is keeping up with demand, and using staggered shifts, we are able to maintain appropriate social distance. 

Our customer service and admin teams are working from home and here to assist you as always… or even just to chat!
We’ve had clients ask about the safety of the packaging once they receive their shades, and according to the World Health Organization “the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, traveled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is low.”
We are extremely confident you can order, receive and install your shades safely from the comfort of your home.
I will reach out again as the situation changes. Until then, please stay safe and healthy, and know that we are thinking of you and sending a smile your way. 

I hope you take every opportunity to take in some Sun and fresh air!

Be well. Check in(from safe distances) on our most vulnerable. Eat good food. Read good books. Watch Great things. Call/Facetime with everyone. Reconnect in ways you’ve never done before.

We will get through this together.

Warmly, 

Kelly

Home-Schooling Subject: NAPTIME

Erin Moriarty

You might have heard, Vermont schools have closed for the rest of the year. The kiddos are staying home for the rest of the school year. You probably also heard the collective screams from all the parents. And more and more states will follow suit.

NOW more than ever, nap times are NEEDED (desperately needed, am I right, parents?). Naps are not only beneficial to our children, but c’mon parents, we know YOU need that down time as well.

Gram and I in ’79 in Mystic, CT

Personal sidenote: my grandmother knew I was a competitive kid. We played numerous card games, checkers, Scrabble, etc. Soooo..it was no different when it came to racing! Doing my best to break my fastest time from point A to point B. My gram, was a genius! She’d ‘race’ me to sleep. Clever, because I never wanted to lose! Very clever, indeed.

Our Blackout shades will create a nap-enticing environment, that your stir-crazy kiddos will not be able to resist.

“More than 85% of mammalian species are polyphasic sleepers, meaning that they sleep for short periods throughout the day. Humans are part of the minority of monophasic sleepers, meaning that our days are divided into two distinct periods, one for sleep and one for wakefulness. It is not clear that this is the natural sleep pattern of humans. Young children and elderly persons nap, for example, and napping is a very important aspect of many cultures.” – Sleep Foundation

  • Blackout Shades
Check out our Pinterest board for INSPIRING images!

I remember FIGHTING my mother about nap time, but once they tried to wake me up for dinner, I was nothing short of combative. Now, as an adult, I love a good nap. 20 mins GREAT! 1.5 hours even BETTER.

Now with homeschooling a new reality for many families, parents need down time, just as much as their kiddos.

This mama shared her newly created home-schooling schedule, due to the global pandemic, and yes, every day includes “Quiet Time”

“We then have quiet time in our house.(1-3pm) They can have their Kindles, watch a movie, play with toys, or read books — as long as the volume is low. Usha may take a nap during this time. For me, this is time I work on my business by making products, updating my social media, checking inventory, preparing orders for shipment, breathing and relaxing. They also usually have a snack during this time.” – Tamykah Anthony, a scientist, STEAM educator

Creating a space for this “Quiet Time” is so important for your kids to be able to shut out the daily chaos that we are hearing, seeing and actively being a part of, can put SO much stress on you and your children.

Close our cellular blackout shades, curl up with your snuggly-soft blanket, dive into a book, a movie and get lost for a while. And yes, take a little snooze. We are certified Nap Promoters.

Check out all these health bennies from a little shut-eye:

  • Relaxation
  • Reduced fatigue
  • Increased alertness
  • Improved mood
  • Improved brain function; quicker reaction time and better memory

Even on the best of our ‘normal’ days, not to mention our new quarantined life, we are exhausted. If you find your energy GONE mid-day, you might like to know that 34% of the U.S. naps. Napping can boost your immune system, (we ALL need that right now) help you learn new skills, and improve your physical stamina.

So whether you join in with your kiddos on the glorious mid-day rest or not, our blackout shades can encourage this downtime, and like me, as a kiddo…I start looking forward to naps.

2020 Home Trends!

Erin Moriarty

In the British Vogue 1939 issue, product designer Gilbert Rhode was asked what people in the 21st century would be wearing. He had NUMEROUS thoughts. According to Gilbert, in year 2020 we would have NO buttons, pockets, collars or ties. Men will have revolted against shaving. “His hat will be an antenna, snatching radio out of the ether. His socks—disposable.” Rhode declared.

Does that sound like our modern-day hipster living in NYC to you? The antenna…we’re close…with airpods, amirite? *curious side-eye*

Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and Pantone‘s selections for the prestigious COLORS OF THE YEAR!

Sherwin-Williams went a little darker for their pick: “Naval”

“Giving a nod to Art Deco influences, Naval fuses the striking and bold opulence of Art Deco with the awe‑inspiring power of nature – from the infinite night sky to the mysterious depths of the sea – bringing navy out of its comfort zone to usher in an empowering new year and fresh decade of change. This deep shade evokes a prominent sense of confidence that fuses timeless color with a fresh mix of natural materials and textures that bring navy blue into a new era.” – courtesy of Sherwin-Williams

Benjamin Moore went for a softer hue with their selection: “First Light”

“First Light” is warm, rosy pink.Benjamin Moore’s first time choosing a pink hue for Color of the Year, and symbolizes an upbeat and hopeful start to the next ten years. A fresh palette. A revitalized spirit. A soft, rosy hue blooming with potential, is the backdrop for a bright new decade.” – Courtesy of Benjamin Moore

Pantone’s choice: “Classic Blue”

“A timeless and enduring blue hue, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is elegant in its simplicity. Suggestive of the sky at dusk, the reassuring qualities of the thought-provoking PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue highlight our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.” – courtesy of Pantone

1.Black and White Interiors.

It’s BACK! (And this trend I thoroughly enjoy, on a deeply personal level.) There are endless ways to explore this yin/yang trend into your home. Black chairs and sofas, white throw pillows, black ceilings, black and white marble. So many delicious textiles and pattern variations that marry these two colors. For the more daring, try a black ceilings or walls. In 2020, the interior designers of the world are already looking forward to the endless possibilities of bringing this bold, yet classic trend to your homes.

2.Velvet.

OH MY! Vivacious Vibrant Velvets are on trend. So DELISH. Ok, take a moment and JUST imagine for a moment, stunning floor-to-ceiling, in Pantone’s Classic Blue velvet drapery adorning your home. Phew! I just might faint. So gorgeous! And if I do faint, I’m gonna collapse on one of these GORGEOUS sofas, in Ben Moore’s Color of Year and recover in my bed with the tufted headboard in Pantones’ “Classic Blue”

SWOON

3. Geometric Patterns.

This is not new. This design accent has been on the upward trend for the past couple years now. It’s easy to fall in love with it, and use it everywhere, but resist the urge. Pick an area of your home where you want the geometric pattern to make a bold statement. How about geometric bathroom floor tiles, or a thin-lined geometric wallpaper? Check out those cellular wall shelves or accent table? SO CELL. SO AWESOME.

4.Maximalism.

What exactly is maximalism? While minimalism focuses ‘less is more’, maximalism is about embracing the idea ‘more is MORE’.  Like Mae West said, “Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.” Interior designers across the globe are drooling with this trend. This decor style can EASILY get out of control. Ok, OK….before you get too carried away, you’ll have to use SOME restraint. Pick a single room to go all excessive and BOLD with saturated colors and carefully curated collections of art. Keep in mind, maximalism encourages utilizing your space in the boldest way possible.

5.Neutrals.

If that maximalism tredn is just ‘too much’ for you…I get it. I totally get it. Instead create a serene, calming oasis for your living room or master bedroom and go neutral, and you’ll still be on trend. If you think, “UGH Neutrals are SO boring….”  I’m gonna tell ya something, you’re wrong. Neutral are whites with cool or warm undertones, mixing with shades of beige and grey. Don’t underestimate the power of neutrals. They make an excellent choice for your walls, allowing your artwork to POP! They’re also great options for furniture (furniture covers for families with kiddos/pets recommended) including sofas and bedding.

6. Biophilia.

The term “biophilia,” an affinity for the living world, was coined back in the ’80’s by American biologist and author E.O. Wilson. “We have an instinctive drive to connect with nature”, he said, “and the more we connect, the happier we are.” That’s why a walk in the woods can feel SO friggin good, or hiking up our very own Mount Mansfield will change your life. A daily hike not an option? Bring nature indoors, with plants and a hot trend now, moss walls. SO cool. So tactile. LOOK! Don’t you just wanna touch these moss walls? I know, wouldn’t be able to resist. And how bout that skylight rainfall SHOWER?! UGH. WANT.

Click here for step-by-step instructions to make your own.

7. Floral Wallpaper and Fabrics.

What’s that saying, “Everything old is new again” ? A throwback with a VERY contemporary twist. We are not talking those small blue or pink floral patterns that all of our Nana’s had everywhere. Sorry, Nana. This 2020 trend is NOT your grandma’s florals. GIGANTIC, gorgeous abstract blooms, that are oh so bold. Wallpapers for powder rooms, and accent walls.

Oh, the joys of the new year! So let us honor Earth’s trip around the Sun with new personal goals, new resolutions and these latest trends. Ya know, one trend that will NEVER go outta style, energy efficiency.

We LOVE what we do, sooo stick with us. We got you covered in 2020.

Which windows are “Witch Windows”?

Erin Moriarty

Perhaps you’ve never seen one in the flesh? Perhaps you’ve NEVER heard of them? Perhaps YOU DON’T believe in witches and their need for windows? Perhaps you have and they have cast their spell on you…

More than likely when you have seen one of these man-made phenomena you were in our home state of Vermont. We have the MOST witch windows in the world. (I MIGHT be exaggerating that statement a tiny amount.) And even more precisely, they are found in the area of Vermont we fondly call the Northeast Kingdom. They have THE MOST, EVER!

But what IS a ‘witch window’ you may be asking yourself?

Witch windows have another name that’s not so Halloween-y, “Vermont Windows”. BUT the crazy back-country, tall-tale-believing New Englanders say themselves, is that these architectural whacky marvels are deeply rooted in Vermont’s super cold temps and SpoOoooOoOOOky superstition/folklore! Now just look at the design. For any broomstick-flying Wiccan, this would be ideal to have in your home! Wonderfully wicked for that super quick getaway when the townspeople come with torches and pitchforks to see if you actually do float in the nearby bog. Or if the progressive townsperson needs a curse on their cheating spouse, ZOOOOOOM-you’re there! And those semi-annual meetings of your coven…when you’re late because you were ALMOST done brewing the local children in your cauldron. A slanted window is ideal for a Witch.

And the creepy names don’t stop there. There is yet ANOTHER name for these quirky design wonders. “Coffin Windows”. Yeah, coffin windows. No wonder this design element stayed in one corner of the world with this kinda PR. EEK!

The tall tale behind this nickname is…well…unnerving. Ok yes..the window is laying down, but that’s not where the lore ends. There was SUPPOSEDLY a purpose for them. 1800’s undertakers would hoist coffins outside and slide them down the slate-shingled roofs, instead of lugging the deceased down the narrow, ornate windy staircases. Yeah, I had the same thought. HOW did the coffin get up there anyhow? A workshop in his home? The calling hours were often in the home…Who knows? But whatever the ‘reason’…the nickname stuck to these windows.

BUT the real reason these “Vermont windows” exist is because of good ol’ Yankee ingenuity and frugality. Vermonters are recyclers. Our blood is GREEN. We re-purpose/ reuse and recycle EVERYTHING we can. We were GREEN before it was trendy. So ya know, Harold down the road, he had an old window left over from his recent build, by gum! Let’s USE IT. Vermonters are also known for building addition after addition, after addition. Especially after the 5 or 9th child was born (remember large farm families?). So…with the loss of wall space, it was bound to happen. The only place for an upper-floor window would have to be kinda horizontal. KINDA. GENIUS right? Without it, light and ventilation would be completely limited.

Did I say Vermonters are frugal? Not many of us have AC. Yeah, read that again. NO air conditioning units in our homes. And most of us play the game every year “How long do we hold out before we turn on the heat/start the first fire?”

We know FUN, I tell ya!

And in the Summer, my mother would just open the windows across our home to get the cross breeze flowing on those HOT August days. And Witch windows are GREAT as a 2nd story vent! Just crack open that weird 45 degree sideways window and feel the coolness. It could be the ghosts awaiting the return of their coffins…or really it’s JUST a breeze. Keep telling yourself that. *wink*

When our customers say they have tricky windows to shade, we giggle to ourselves. Because here in Vermont, we’ve seen it all. We can shade “Witch” Windows, “Vermont” Windows, and even “Coffin” Windows and even your wonky windows.

Email us: service@cellularwindowshades.com

AIRBNB Do’s and Don’ts!

Erin Moriarty

First things first. Create your listing.

To start, (it’s a very good place to start) fill out the basics in each of the 6 sections (calendar, pricing, overview, photos, listing and location). Upload one nice shot for right now. Come back and zhush everything out later.

Take some shots of your own, or opt for pro. And use a mix of both! Some people mistrust pro shots, and some ONLY look for shots by owner. This way if you have a little bit of each, you’ll be more attractive to a larger audience! But you could be saying, “BUT I’M NOT READY TO RENT YET!” Trust me, you must get photos up quickly (maybe even before your place is completely ready for it’s closeup). Booking a pro photog and schedules not gelling for a while, and then……it might take AN ENTIRE month from the day the photog uploads to your listing. UGH. If you don’t wanna wait, use your iPhone. Done.

Life’s an adventure; enjoy the ride.

Bedrooms:

1.Use crisp, white sheets.

“WHY WHITE?” You ask… they are SUPER easy to keep clean. Bleach after each guest. Bleach is your friend when it comes to stains on white fabric. White sheets also give that posh ‘hotel vibe’. Colored or patterned sheets look more folksy, college dorm-like. Who wants that feeling again? *shudder*

Do's and Don'ts for AirBnb accommodations.
AHhh..I wanna dive right in!

We don’t have to tell you to wash and dry your AirBnb bedroom sheets immediately after a guest leaves, do we? Didn’t think so. Gotta maintain those good reviews right?

White bed linens, also help when tidying up after each guest, because you’ll be able to see if they’ve left something behind, more quickly!

“Yep, I found your husband’s cell. It was right on the bed.”

*Hero status achieved*

2. Dress up your bed with a delicious duvet.

Let’s talk cleanliness for YOU and your guests. For sanitary reasons, duvets are the WAY to GO. Easy clean up once each guest departs. And you can switch up the look of your bedroom with seasonal -appropriate duvets. A cozy plaid for the Wintertime, or a crisp clean white linen duvet for Summer breezes. Using a duvet, you are able to remove and wash it every time. YAY! Duvet covers can be found relatively inexpensively and they are much easier to clean than blankets. (unknown mixed fibers can be a totally pain to launder).

2. Pillows.

Not throw pillows, people. Sleeping pillows. EVERYONE is different. You’ll never be able to please them all. So get that notion right outta your noggin. I recommend purchasing 6 pillows total.

“This pillow is juuuuust riiiiiiiight.”

So if you do have a GoldiLocks staying, she has her pick! 2 soft, 2 medium, 2 firm. Have the pillows fill the bed OR stack them nearby, according to firmness with cute notes indicating their softness. Having numerous pillows on the bed look great! But more importantly it provides your guests with options. B

3. Selecting your mattress.

Ok, so you already have a mattress in your AirBnB guest bedroom. But is it comfy or lumpy? We suggest this queen-sized one. Why? It’s totally inexpensive, reviews are plentiful and GREAT..and what’s crazy, it’s ONLY $130 buckaroos! How sweet is that??! (also invest in this mattress cover)

4. Window Decor.

You HAD to know we were gonna mention shades, riiiight? We recommend our Smoothy (continuous cord), blackout, Top Down/Bottom Up Shades.

Why Smoothy? It’s SUPER duper rugged. And very easy to replace a worn out cord. I mean, I can do it with my eyes closed. Not braggin’, just saying’.

Why Blackout? There are MANY light-sensitive people out there. (Including me) And who knows when your guests will be arriving and from where. Wouldn’t it be awesome to offer them a nice, dark room in the middle of the day to catch up on some zzzz’s that they missed out on, taking that red-eye from Croatia?

Shop Blackout Shades Now!
Nighty Night, any time of day!

Why Top Down/Bottom up? One word, PRIVACY. Your guests can lower the shades from the top, to see what the day looks like, and maintain their privacy. I’m sure your neighbors will appreciate that as well. *wink*

Shop Top/Down Bottom Up Shades Now!

Do your homework.

Don’t just read like 1 or 2 recent reviews of potential renters. Read a smattering from the beginning, some in the middle and most current. Also have a salt shaker handy. Why? Some need more than a grain of salt. There are some that are never happy and downright mean. They will find a way to complain about almost anything. Remember ‘The Grouch” ??

Don’t listen to the grouches.

While 99.9% of reviews about renters are awesome, don’t let the Oscar get to you. That’s an awesome benny to AirBnB. They can review you, and you can see who they are before you rent to them. Win- Win!

Don’t be PETTY! (unless it’s this Petty, then always, ALWAYS be this Petty)

The beauty of having additional things to offer and having real, loving humans renting your pad, is that you’re able to offer them for free (yes for free) a taste of what they might like. DO NOT become the host who charges for every little thing. Ew. Gross.
Don’t charge your guests for “made by blind monks” soap.No one wants to use that soap THAT badly (yes, this actually happens).

Nor does your guest, who is staying on your goat farm, feel good about being charged $5 bucks for a glass of your goat “Marcus Wellby” scrumptious milk. No offense Marcus. (yeah, that’s a Llama, I know)

Take the local winery approach. Offer samples of things for free, generously.

Your favorite snacks, local paper at the start of each stay, locally made ornament around the holidays, well you get the idea. Generosity inspires generosity. I think you’ll find your reviews will be more grateful and your guests will thank you for your time, craft, intention and goods with some. Plus, it just feels downright good, to be good to others, aimrite?

BOOKING:

There are 2 different ways to book your place. You have Instant Book and Request to Book. Request to book is the only way AirBnB used to operate. It’s not confusing, really.

Check out our weekly AirBnB Showcase!

Ok, so now YOU want to explore this world with the sweet Airbnb dough you’ve made.

Make a list of what is MOST important to you.

You know that ol’ chestnut, “Know what you don’t want..”?
There are so many different rentals AirBnB has to offer now. Yurts, penthouses, houseboats in Amsterdam, huts, private room, tiny houses, tree houses, well, you get the idea. While there are so many different kinds of rentals, it’s all about what you are comfy with. My husband refuses to rent a room. It’s all or nothing for him. I’m open to a yurt or tiny house, him? Not so much. (Oh, I should also mention, he’s 6 5′).. Privacy is great, but if you’re down for hangin’ with the owners or other renters, go for it.

Prioritize the amenities you desire.
We all know there are just some amenities you just can’t live without. WI-FI, AC, washer/dryer…microwave. It’s different for everyone. AND it depends on the type of trip. Biz or scratching that must-see off your bucketlist. But when traveling to different places, you need different things. You can customize your “filters’ for every single trip you take, so prioritize accordingly.

YAY! So now you can be the most AWESOME AirBnB host/hostess and you are now encouraged to free fall into your wanderlust. GO! Be FREE!

STAY TUNED AirBnB owners for upcoming sales JUST FOR YOU!

And if you’d like us to shout out your listing, email us!