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Designing a Home Away From Home
Discover why short-term rental designer Jessica Duce swears by POLYWOOD for all her vacation rental projects, including her latest endeavor, The Gathering. Bonus: Get insider tips for styling properties guests will adore.
Designing a Home Away From Home
Discover why short-term rental designer Jessica Duce swears by POLYWOOD for all her vacation rental projects, including her latest endeavor, The Gathering. Bonus: Get insider tips for styling properties guests will adore
WE'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE
Jessica is the owner and principal designer of JDuce Design, a Houston-based firm that works exclusively with short-term rental properties. Her projects range from small family properties to 10+ bedroom resort havens and theme-focused retreats. Homeowners, real estate investors, and property managers across the country turn to Jessica to create thoughtful, engaging, and profitable short-term rental spaces.
A trailblazer and tastemaker in vacation rental design, Jessica co-founded Vacation Rental Designers (VRD), the ultimate resource and community for interior designers in the short-term rental market. VRD provides education, insight, and community for practitioners, and an abundance of product discounts from VRD sponsors.
Beyond her design prowess, Jessica is a busy mom of three, president of the Houston Interior Design Society, and co-creator of the Vacation Rental Design Summit.
"I love what I do. I love the challenge of a new project. I love meeting people [and] working with them where we develop a friendship."
– Jessica Duce
About The Space
The Gathering sits on 12 sprawling acres in the heart of Texas Hill Country. With space to host 16 guests, this vacation rental is ideal for large groups looking to get away from it all.
Jessica and her team styled each space from the ground up, curating looks for the property’s outdoor swimming pool, bocce ball and pickleball courts, pavilion, covered porch, stargazing stage, and other areas. They selected furniture from our South Beach, Vineyard, Coastal, Cottage, and Traditional Garden Collections, opting for bright, bold shades to evoke energy and warmth.
"Choosing the right colors can set the tone in a space, and for us, it was about infusing the property with a sense of fun."
– Jessica Duce
Why polywood?
POLYWOOD is a staple in all of Jessica's short-term rental ventures because it thrives in any climate, including Texas's intense weather. She values the 20-year lumber warranty for her clients' peace of mind and appreciates the collections’ longevity. It means styles she fell for years ago are still available, allowing her to maintain consistent aesthetics in long-standing projects.
"When property owners ask for outdoor furniture recommendations, I always suggest POLYWOOD. It's incredibly durable in any weather, comes with an excellent warranty, and maintains consistent availability. Their collections have staying power."
– Jessica Duce
Expert Tips for Rental Property Perfection
Get Jessica’s insider secrets for creating stunning outdoor spaces and exceptional experiences.
"The guest experience is how you get great reviews, more bookings, and the best ROI."
– Jessica Duce
1. Safety and durability:
Choose outdoor furniture and accessories that can endure the elements and frequent use, prioritizing safety and durability to prevent accidents and ensure guest comfort, especially in areas prone to intense weather.
2. Remember housekeeping:
Make things easier for your housekeeping team with low-maintenance furnishings that need minimal upkeep, and invest in outdoor storage and furniture covers.
3. Color:
Select colorful furnishings that complement and enhance your property’s unique style. Opting for vibrant-hued furniture enhances visual appeal and creates captivating imagery showcased on vacation rental platforms.
4. Shade options:
Provide shade from the sun with umbrellas, pergolas, or awnings. This enhances comfort and encourages people to come outside and enjoy the day.
5. Lights and landscapes:
Use ambient lighting like outdoor lanterns or solar-powered lamps for cozy evening vibes and added safety, complemented by lush landscaping to bring color, texture, and tranquility to your property.
6. Functional layout:
Create specific dining, lounging, and conversation zones to maximize space and functionality. Consider traffic flow and ensure ample space between furniture and decor for easy movement.
7. Comfortable seating:
Select pieces that invite everyone outside, like cushioned seats, contoured chairs, and adjustable options.
8. Anticipate guests’ needs:
Keep beach towels, sunscreen, lawn games, insect repellent, and other outdoor items on hand that guests might need but not remember to bring.
9. Add texture:
Invite texture through blankets, pillows, area rugs, and other textiles. Texture equals comfort—you need something soft to balance out harder surfaces.
10. Ample seating:
The quantity of seats should match your property’s maximum occupancy. All guests should have a place to kick back and relax.
11. Accent tables:
Include enough side or end tables in furniture groupings so guests have plenty of room to rest their drinks, snacks, or books.
12. Seats in varied heights:
Mix furniture of different heights to add depth and variety to your outdoor spaces, giving guests multiple viewpoints and enhancing visual interest.
Shop Jessica's Look
Love Jessica’s furniture picks? Shop her selections below!
