Create a soulful, story-rich retreat that delights your guests (or yourself) and supports your lifestyle
Design a Stay that Pays — and Transforms
Maybe it’s a one-room off-grid cabin tucked into a grove of tall trees. Or a lovingly designed tiny home with linens that smell like sun and a clawfoot tub for evening soaks. Perhaps it’s a low-tech, high-beauty space that offers people a pause from their busy lives — the kind of retreat that restores the spirit just by being in it.
This work is about more than design. It’s about intention, story, and sensory experience.
Not Your Average STR Consulting
You’re not here to build just another short-term rental. You’re here to create a place that feels like exhaling, whether for yourself, or shared with guests.
"We had so many different ideas but finally ended up buying a cabin already built, that only needed a bit of work— still in progress, but today I finally got the listing up! I wanted to thank you for inspiring me so much and talking through what it's like to run an Airbnb!"
— Kaity, California
Kaity’s cozy vintage cabin with fireplace, image via Airbnb
If you’re a farmer, homesteader, land steward, or creative, and you feel called to:
Share the beauty of your land in a deeply thoughtful way
Create a space that helps you or others rest, reset, and remember what matters
Build a sustainable income stream that aligns with your values — whether from rental income, real estate investment, or renting just enough to cover costs for your own enjoyment
...then you’re in the right place.
I bring my experience as the designer and host of Tanglebloom Tiny Cabin, an analog, memory-rich stay that has been featured by Dwell, Travel+Leisure, Forbes, The Boston Globe, and more.
You bring the vision. I help you shape it into something that invites you & others home to themselves—while also supporting your lifestyle.
The Full Build Out
For the host or cabin dreamer who's ready to bring a space to life from scratch, or overhaul an existing one with intentionality and purpose.
We'll go from concept to launch: guest/user experience design, listing copy, marketing, pricing, sourcing, and more. Ideal for:
Busy creatives who want a profitable, semi-passive rental that can also be their personal retreat
Successful professionals who want to spend more time engaged with nature
Farms and homesteads looking to diversify income with a low-tech stay
Includes:
6 months of support with twice-monthly 60-minute private Zoom sessions (12 sessions total)
Email + voice note support throughout
My eyes on your listing, marketing materials, guest flow, interior design, systems set up, and more
Continued email & voice support for an additional 30 days after your final session
Bonus 45-minute check-in session for use within one year
$4,500 — 12 sessions over 6 months + bonus session
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Refine Your Project
Already hosting but something feels off? Found the perfect property but don’t know where to begin? Or maybe you know what you want to create but just need clarity, structure, and momentum?
This is for you.
Includes:
• 3 months of support, withtwice-monthly 60-minute private Zoom sessions (6 sessions total)
• Email & voice note support and my eyes on your work for the full 3 months
• Continued email support for 30 days after your final session
Perfect for refining the guest experience, aligning with your values, improving listing performance, or dialing in your brand or own user experience.
$2,250 — 6 sessions over 3 months
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One-Time Strategy Session
Best for focused support on one key challenge, such as:
Choosing between a glamping tent vs. a cabin build
Reimagining your current space
Clarifying marketing strategy or guest communication
Guidance on designing a space for your own personal use
Help knowing where to start: finding property, connecting with a realtor or builder, sourcing functional & design elements
Includes:
•, 90-minute Zoom session
•, Post session notes and resource list
•,30 days of email support + review of your materials
$397 — 90-minute session + 30 days support
Desha, Forest Street Retreat and Craftsman Bungalow
“Melissa, I want to let you know that I had a bolt of clarity during our session that has left me fired up and excited! It's like there were all these floating pieces that kept coming and going from my busy mind and you wrapped them up for me in a pretty bow. You listened and saw the bigger picture, helping my investment property dreams come into focus (despite real challenges). I'm so grateful for our time together.”
Kate, Swiss Chalet Retreat
“My 1:1 with Melissa was wonderful. She really took her time to provide specific recommendations for my unique property, even linking to items that would enhance my decor and furnishings. I felt that she was invested in my success and really wanted to share what she could to help my business grow. Melissa continues to be invested in seeing my property succeed. Even months later she follows up and checks in. I feel like I have someone in my corner rooting for me - it really means a lot.”
This is for you if you’re:
Overwhelmed with options and tired of wasting time searching and sifting through conflicting information
Desire a safe space to think outside the box, be encouraged, and receive expert guidance from someone who’s actually been there
Ready to be held accountable and receive support while turning your dreams and goals into reality
Committed to increasing and diversifying your personal income or business revenue through creativity and hard work
Need help knowing where to begin with the vision you’re holding
This may not be a good fit if:
Your goal is a large portfolio of single-family home rentals
You’re comfortable with the pace and results of projects built by ongoing trial-and-error and crowdsourced advice
Looking for a “get rich quick” scheme
Aren’t ready to be challenged, encouraged, and inspired as you bring your dream to life
Does this resonate with you?
I’m Melissa
I’ve created one of the most sought-after slow & sustainable stays in the country. It’s been named one of Airbnb’s Most Wish Listed properties, a Top 10 Most Liked on Instagram, and appeared in Dwell, Travel + Leisure, Forbes, and more. I’m a Certified Life & Business Coach, educator, and creator of spaces that are beautiful, inviting, and impactful. Hosting, and embarking on my own nature retreats, has had a tremendous effect on my life & business. I help other purpose-led creatives & busy professionals enjoy the same results.
What clients are saying…
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“It was such a gift to receive your clear-eyed insights and suggestions. And such a pleasure to talk with another host with such depth and sharing. I plan on implementing a few new things from afar.... one each week.”
- Kathleen
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“I am so glad I was able to meet you and to gain knowledge from your success. You are inspiring and I feel my confidence bolstered due to your help.”
- Carrie
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“You were so supportive and had great ideas. I also felt really validated about the concepts I've been considering and now have the confidence to move forward.”
- Kate
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“Thanks so much for sharing your expertise and resources! It really gave me a confidence boost about this whole idea.”
- Anna
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“Thanks so much Melissa! I’m planning on working a bit more on the design this weekend.”
- Bryan
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“In the age of information overload, it's truly invaluable to be able to directly access the answers you need, tailored to your unique situation, from a real person. Melissa's coaching has saved my business money, stress and time. I am a one-woman operation, but I know that I can rely on her to be an interactive business partner when I need one.”
- Amber
FAQ
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Yes—most of my clients are just getting started. You don’t need to have land or a cabin lined up to begin. In fact, getting support early helps you avoid costly detours and make aligned decisions from the start.
One recent client came to me unsure whether to build or buy—or even where. Less than nine months later, she sent me the link to her Airbnb listing. The biggest momentum shift? Taking that first step.
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Absolutely. In fact, that’s how I got started—creating a space for myself, not as a rental. I’ve spent years exploring and designing cabins, treehouses, country homes, and off-grid escapes, including my own. I know what makes these spaces both beautiful and deeply livable—how to design for comfort, connection to nature, and long-term sustainability. Whether you're dreaming of a weekend retreat or a sabbatical refuge, I’d love to help you bring it to life.
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Definitely. While some markets are more saturated than they used to be, there are still smart, strategic ways to stand out, attract the right guests, and improve your profitability. Whether it’s refining your offering, rethinking your guest experience, or adjusting your pricing and marketing, I can help you pinpoint what’s not working—and what to do next.
If this is your focus, a smaller consulting package (3 sessions) or even a one-off strategy session is a great place to start.
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I get it—I’ve been there myself. Hosting can feel like a big shift, especially when your farm is also your home. Your concerns are completely valid, and we’ll explore creative ways to set boundaries, streamline the experience, and design a setup that works for you.
There’s real potential for semi-passive, meaningful income here—but it has to be sustainable. That’s exactly what we’ll build together.
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Yes—I offer single sessions for exactly this reason. If you’re feeling things out or just need clarity on a specific challenge, a one-time session is a great place to start. You can book one here.
Ready to bring your vision board to life?
Not sure which option is right for you?