by Furnishly | Jan 20, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
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In Sambuca, Italy — a town in Sicily that sold homes for £1 as part of a campaign to boost their local economy — Airbnb gave one of these 1 Euro Houses a designer makeover.
Airbnb teamed up with Studio Didea, an Italian architectural firm, to transform a crumbling abandoned home into a modern abode. And better yet, Airbnb announced a contest where they’re choosing one lucky person (and their family, partner, or friend) to live in the house rent-free for a year while also acting as a host for the house and keeping all earnings.
Studio Didea told Apartment Therapy that the biggest challenge they faced when designing the property was ensuring that whoever was staying there felt at home. “Airbnb’s request was to renovate the property while providing spatial solutions capable of changing and taking different forms depending on who lives there, always keeping the objective of Airbnb linked to the sense of belonging,” they said.
“Therefore, designing spaces that make people from different cultures feel at home while maintaining the Sicilian nature of the places [was key],” Studio Didea continued. “We conceived the house as a flexible space, capable of accommodating more people and more functions according to needs.”
The overall transformation is truly spectacular, which includes the all-important living room. In the before image above, a detail you might not notice at first amidst the deteriorating walls is the gorgeous green floor with an elegant gold and beige trim. In the “after” photo, the green floor (which has been lovingly restored) is a stunning contrast to the muted tones of the walls and furniture. The orange tree and view of Sicily complete the vibe.
In the kitchen, a relatively drab room is made anew with bold accents and sleek furnishings. Wood door frames and a bench lend warmth to the room, which gets a fair amount of natural light from a glass door that looks out to a nearby building. One of the walls has been painted green (there seems to be a theme here), and the raw wood ceiling is now a soft gray to complement the space.
Studio Didea noted that the mood board for the house combined traditional materials that were already present and new elements that reflect their work and aesthetic without distorting the existing tones. “The new elements of the stairwells are highlighted by the choice of contemporary materials and colors — red and green painted metal sheet — in contrast to the neutral and natural tones of the lime and terra cruda wall and floor finishes,” they explained.
If living in Italy rent-free and hosting this renovated home sounds like a dream come true, you can submit an application on Airbnb anytime before Feb. 18. Interested candidates must be over 18 years old and ready to move to Sambuca for at least three months starting in June. Speaking Italian isn’t required but is definitely a plus, and the winner will have the opportunity to learn Italian and take Italian cooking classes.
Abigail Abesamis Demarest
Contributor
Abigail Abesamis Demarest is a freelance contributor for Apartment Therapy and The Kitchn. When she’s not writing she’s reading up on the latest wellness trends, teaching Zumba classes, or reading a book on the beach.
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by Furnishly | Dec 1, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
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“Home Alone” is one of the most iconic holiday movies of all time. From Kevin McCallister’s famous one-liners to the doozy criminal duo who made Kevin’s time alone all the more exciting, it’s a Christmas classic that never gets old. And McCallister megafans will be thrilled to know that they can celebrate the holidays with an overnight stay at the original “Home Alone” house.
Hosted by Kevin’s big brother Buzz, the infamous residence based in Chicago is opening its doors for one night only (Dec. 12) on Airbnb, allowing one lucky family to end their year with a McCallister Christmas.
During the stay, up to four guests will get free rein of the Georgian-Colonial style home, decorated with twinkling lights and a Christmas tree with all the trimmings. There will be a viewing of the film franchise’s newest holiday adventure “Home Sweet Home Alone“, classic junk food including a cheese pizza and Kraft macaroni and cheese, booby traps for mischief and mayhem, and a meet-and-greet with a real-life tarantula (if that’s your thing, it certainly isn’t mine).
Wondering how much it’ll cost? For just $25 (before fees and taxes), this deal will have you saying, “Keep the change, ya filthy animal!”
As it’s the season of giving back, Airbnb will be making a one-time donation to Chicago’s La Rabida Children’s Hospital, which is dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life for each of its patients with complex conditions, disabilities, and chronic illness.
So if you fancy letting your inner 8-year-old child run free this festive season — without the risk of intrusion from the Wet Bandits — bookings for the “Home Alone” house will open on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. CT on the Airbnb listing.
by Furnishly | Nov 20, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
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Daddy Yankee is one of the biggest musical artists from Puerto Rico, known as the “King of Reggaeton” by fans and industry professionals thanks to his catalog of dancefloor hits like “Gasolina”, “Con Calma,” and “Dura”.
Now, the rapper can add Airbnb host to his resume as he will be opening up his Puerto Rican home that inspired his chart-topping music. Offering three different one-night stays for up to two guests each, six fans will have the chance to stay in the private home in Luquillo, located near El Yunque National Forest.
Bookings open on Dec. 6, and fans will be able to choose to reserve one of three dates—Dec. 13, 15, and 17—for only $85 per night. The price is a way to commemorate the more than 85 singles that Daddy Yankee has released over his impressive career.
“This place inspires me constantly,” said Daddy Yankee in a video posted to Instagram earlier this week. “The sounds, the energy—and I want you to experience and enjoy my Puerto Rico here in my home, in Luquillo.”
Daddy Yankee will virtually greet guests upon arrival; and during their stay, guests will get to experience all the things that he loves about his home in Luquillo, including access to private memorabilia, swimming pool, volleyball court, and activity room. As music is such a huge part of his life, Daddy Yankee has also curated a playlist of his all-time favorite songs for guests to listen to (and dance to) during your stay.
The home features vibrant and contemporary decor designed by Stewart Rodriguez, taking inspiration from classic Puerto Rican style. The living room features psychedelic black-and-white striped designs on the ceiling and walls, bright yellow accents, and layered accessories for a comfortable finish. In the pool house, you’ll find bold acrylic and blow up furniture, a bright mural wall graffitied with the words “Big Boss”, and plenty of greenery as a nod to the island’s vast natural beauty.
To honor the experience, Airbnb will make a donation to PRoTechos, which rebuilds roofs and provides carpentry training to help repair damages caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
by Furnishly | Nov 3, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
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“Sex and the City” fans, rejoice. In celebration of the much-anticipated release of HBO Max Original’s “And Just Like That…”, Carrie Bradshaw is opening the doors to her iconic New York City home.
In partnership with Airbnb and Warner Bros Consumer Products, fans of “Sex and the City” can now enjoy a stylish stay in a recreation of Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment, complete with access to the style icon’s closet, and a fabulous range of friendship-centric experiences like brunch in Chelsea and a fashion-focused photoshoot.
Sarah Jessica Parker will be hosting two one-night stays for up to two guests in a New York City brownstone on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13. In honor of the 23 years since viewers were first introduced to the fashion-forward icon and her friends, a stay at the apartment will set you back only $23 a night (plus taxes and fees).
Upon arrival, guests will be greeted with a virtual message from Parker before exploring the apartment and getting the chance to admire and play dress-up in Carrie’s iconic closet, ready for a styling session and photoshoot where they can channel their inner fashionistas.
Also included in the stay is a brunch in the heart of Chelsea — the perfect excuse for sipping Cosmopolitans with friends.
“The Carrie Bradshaw character is near and dear to my heart, and revisiting her world for the continuation of the ‘Sex and the City; story has been such a joy,” said Parker in a press release. “I’m excited for our audience to experience Carrie’s New York like never before and walk in her shoes, quite literally, for the first time.“
In addition to offering the stay, Airbnb will be making a one-time donation to The Studio Museum in Harlem, a contemporary art museum championing the work of artists of African descent.
by Furnishly | Oct 22, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
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Winter is approaching, which means holiday shopping, family gatherings, and end of year deadlines are already baked into your schedule for the next three months (or soon will be!). But have you considered how you might treat yourself as a reward for juggling all your end-of-year responsibilities? If you can swing it, I seriously recommend going off the grid for a woodsy winter retreat. Whether you’re looking for a quintessential snowy getaway complete with hot chocolate sipping, or prefer to escape the cold to give your winter jacket a rest, these five Airbnb cabins are great to book when you need a little winter respite.
Jasmine Grant
Senior Commerce Editor
Jasmine is Apartment Therapy’s Senior Commerce Editor, where she’s devoted to leading shopping guides and bringing you the best deals on the internet. She knows a whole lot about rugs, candles and geometric vases. Ask away!
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