Interior styling secrets from a Stylist.
Olivia Plush does not do things by halves. Property stylist, wedding planner, Airbnb host of two properties, and she juggles it all while working full time in a corporate job!
I sat down with her to chat about interior styling on a budget, how to create a memorable Airbnb guest experience and her tips for finding your personal style.
How did you get into styling?
From when I was a little girl, I always loved moving items around in my room, playing with different ways to make my bed, and create that ‘homey’ feeling. Today, I still move pieces of furniture around my home to suit the season and play with different orientations, styles and colours.
In terms of professionally, for me it was when a good friends of mine trusted in me and asked me to help style their home for their upcoming sale. I took to the challenge, worked with them to create a budget, researched different options to utilise their furniture as well as hiring in options to complete their look within the given timeframe. From here my career has developed and taken off (quicker than anticipated), and I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the top real estate agencies in Geelong. While I’m forever learning and upskilling my knowledge and styling design, I like to work with the space and the era of the house, adding in my own flare and personality, but appealing to a range of buyers and emotions.
I also own an Airbnb which I’ve really enjoyed styling from a blank canvas and thinking about what makes a good Airbnb, how I can bring my creative flare, while remaining practical and clutter free and appealing to multiple guests needs and styles.
As well as working as a Property Stylist and Airbnb Host I work as a Wedding Planner and Stylist. Working alongside couples to curate and bring their vision to fruition. The most rewarding part of all my jobs is meeting and working closely with so many amazing clients who often are overwhelmed and not sure where to begin. So I like to walk them through the process and work with them to ensure the final product is a curation of their vision and has a touch of their own personality shining through.
Q. Can you share some tips on how to bring your own personal style into your Airbnb?
For me I wanted to ensure my Airbnb reflected my personality but showcased the homes’ history and location. Essential to me when styling an Airbnb was ensuring the spaces were light, bright and clutter free to create welcoming open spaces. I also love to use a mix of old and new items in the home to reflect the character and personality while creating that homey feel.
Another way is to over style the beds to make them look inviting, luxurious and comfortable. What you are trying to do here is create a luxury brand at a more affordable price, and ensure guests enjoy a home away from home. So using textures, colour and soft furnishings to elevate your rooms will make all the difference to your guest’s experience.
“When I style properties or Airbnb’s I like to be bold, take risks and play with patterns and textures. You want your Airbnb to stand out from the rest and maybe even for the guest to take away some styling tips and tricks.”
So think about the room and what the guests will use it for, what they will remember and have a play with décor items, while ensuring the spaces are practical but styled.
Q. What are some budget-friendly ways to elevate a bedroom?
Adding some soft furnishings to your bed, like throws, display pillows can immediately help lift a bedroom. You do not have to spend a fortune, I often go to places like Ikea to buy the feather pillow inserts and then you can find some cheaper covers from places like Target or even Kmart.
Adding some greenery for not only health benefits, but also to add colour and style to your room.
Orientation and clutter, moving your bed around to allow for a clutter free entrance into the rooms and having the bed the main focus.
Utilising off floor storage – think about adding some floating shelves to store décor, books or toiletries. Adding hooks or hanging options on backs of doors or walls helps declutter and utilise the vertical spaces in your room. Purchasing a variety of cane baskets to store clutter in. Popping basket ontop of wardrobes or under beds helps clear the floor space, adds additional storage and helps create a modern elevate room.
Q. Must-haves as an Airbnb host?
Think about what you like or would want when you book an Airbnb. For me the key things I want to include are:
Central gathering areas, whether this be an open living, dining or outdoor space. A space where friends can gather together and catch up or enjoy. An option if you do not have the space but still want to create this feel, is having additional seating or stools that guests can move up to a table or bench to gather around.
Linen provided – this takes away the stress and makes it easier for guests. It also means that once a guest arrives in your home, they do not have to do anything but simply relax.
Plenty of glassware – no one wants to be constantly washing on holidays, but at the same time you want to ensure you provide enough glasses for your guests to enjoy all the drinks of choice throughout the day.
Office / Desk space or an area – more and more people are working from home these days, and offering this space to guests means you may increase the number of nights booked as people might enjoy a longer weekend or even a week working from your home.
Self Check in – I do find for guests and hosts alike, this is the easiest option to allow guests the freedom to arrive and leave when suits them.
Updated property details on your listing. This can include wifi, check in details, suggested places to visit / see. Utilising the app means that you do not have to be in direct contact with the guest (and vice versa), but this also allows you to keep the information up to date and relevant.
Q. Any interior pieces you have your eye on at the moment?
I’m always updating my stock and adding to my décor / furniture collection. For me I find I stumble across the best items when I’m not looking. But a few pieces I have been looking at are vintage wooden furnishings, old meat safes, wooden stools or bench seats to add to my collection. This is because when you’re styling a home these items suit any era and you can utilise in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Whereas something I am wanting to invest in is more art work, as this can immediately create a vibe, fill a blank space and elevate a room – however good art needs to be considered and tell a story so this is not an impulse purchase for me, and I also want to ensure the art work is versatile and speaks to the style or era of the homes.
Q. Favourite place to get away?
For me I can’t beat Robe in South Australia, but this is a bias comment as I have been holiday here for years. Robe offers everything from beach holiday, wineries and shopping opportunities.
More locally however, we are spoilt for choice having the great ocean road, Daylesford / Ballarat, Mornington Peninsula and even the Yarra Valley all within or under an 1.5 hr drive away. Exploring different regions and towns is something I love doing, popping into the various coffee shops, interior gift stores or homewares stores, is the best way to discover those one off pieces which reflect my personality. So whenever I go away, I pack light top ensure I have space to take anything home. This is such a nice way to also build my collection and I find that each piece then has its own story and history amongst my collection.
Q. Favourite local or online stores for homes/interior pieces?
Green house interiors is definitely a gem in Geelong, to be able to walk in and see so many different styles to work with. This shop also provides a unique pop of colour, texture and style that ensures you can pick up those one off statement pieces.
I personally have always loved Provincial Home Living, because this store speaks to my style and the pieces are timeless.
Connect with Olivia:
Website: www.byplush.com.au
Instagram: www.instagram.com/byplush_
Airbnb: East Geelong cosy cottage
Image credit:
Olivia Barua
Matt Roberts Clifton
Black and White Real Estate Marketing
