Transform Your Airbnb With Designer Art from Sage & Rose Prints
Apr 25, 2025
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Today, I’m so excited to introduce you to a wonderful entrepreneur serving the STR community, who also happens to be named Valerie! I first discovered Valerie of Sage and Rose Prints on Instagram and immediately reached out to set up a call. As someone who’s passionate about great art—and loves filling our rentals with it—I was instantly captivated by what Valerie and her wife Jessi are building at Sage & Rose.
As a fellow Valerie living abroad, raising a family, and serving the STR community in the U.S., we found we had so much in common.
Recently, we teamed up to create their company’s very first designer line of art! I brought some of my Moody Cottage collection to Sage & Rose, and now you can easily find and purchase these beautiful pieces—each one hand-selected by me—directly from their website.
I wanted to do this feature to give you a behind-the-scenes look at their amazing company and introduce you to their inspiring brand.
Enjoy!
Valerie, what inspired you the start Sage and Rose Prints?
Sage and Rose Prints was born out of our own journey as short-term rental hosts. When we first started hosting, we really wanted our rentals to feel warm, stylish, and memorable. We knew how important decor is to creating a beautiful and inviting space for guests. But one of the biggest challenges was finding high-quality, affordable artwork that fit our aesthetic.
We really saw a need for a better, easier-to-use way to buy art. Valerie has been renovating and staging homes for over a decade. Jessi started her career as a professional artist and then spent another decade doing user experience design. We realized that with our unique backgrounds, we could make a great team to tackle the problem of making art more accessible. So the idea of Sage & Rose Prints was born!
As short-term rental owners yourselves, what design struggles did you face when trying to make your spaces feel polished and inviting?
Balancing style, uniqueness, and budget is tricky. Go too cheap, and things fall apart fast (we’ve stayed in Airbnbs with missing bed legs and collapsing shelves!). Go too high-end, and costs soar—without guests even noticing. The real challenge? Finding decor that’s stylish, durable, and affordable.
For us, picking finishes like floors and paint came naturally. Furnishing was fun. But choosing art? A nightmare. Vintage shops have great furniture, but curating a whole home’s art takes serious design skill. That perfect piece might not match the decor, come in the right size, or feel unique. And running all over town to find art for the whole? Exhausting. Plus, if guests recognize they’ve seen it already at big box stores..it cheapens the experience. We wanted our rentals to feel polished and personal—timeless yet fresh.
That struggle shaped Sage and Rose Prints. We set out to create a stress-free, budget-friendly way to elevate spaces. Our high-quality, versatile prints make it easy to add a “wow” factor without overpowering a room. Now, hosts can create the same inviting, cohesive vibe we worked so hard to achieve—without the hassle.
How do you think art and wall decor impact the guest experience in a short-term rental?
Well-decorated vacation rentals can earn 5 times more than competitors, and art changes everything. We've seen so many vacation rentals with amazing decor and blank walls and it just feels off. Incorporating art into your vacation rental brings warmth to your space, makes your space feel bigger, and attracts more guests with better listing photos.
As short-term rental owners, we’ve learned that art and wall decor have a huge impact on the guest experience—it’s often one of the first things people notice when they walk into a space. The right artwork doesn’t just fill an empty wall, it sets the tone for the entire environment. It can make a room feel warm, inviting, and thoughtfully curated, which, in turn, creates a more positive and memorable experience for guests.
From our own experience, we’ve seen that well-chosen artwork can help elevate the mood of a space and make it feel more personalized. A piece of art can tell a story or reflect the vibe of the location, which helps guests feel more connected to the space. For instance, if you’re in a coastal town, ocean-themed prints or natural landscapes can make a guest feel more immersed in their surroundings.
One surprising benefit we’ve noticed is that guests often take photos in front of artwork to share on social media. We’ve received messages from guests who mentioned how much they loved a specific print or piece of decor, and how it became a backdrop for their vacation photos. It’s not something we expected, but it’s a clear indication that artwork can leave a lasting impression and add to the overall guest experience. In a way, it helps guests feel like they’re part of something special, and they want to remember it.
Additionally, we’ve noticed that guests seem to appreciate when a space feels unique and thoughtfully designed. They often comment on how much they love the decor or how the space feels "homey." It’s the little touches, like a carefully selected piece of art, that can make all the difference between a rental that feels like a place to sleep and one that feels like a place to truly unwind.
You’ve made the process of ordering and hanging prints incredibly easy—what was the driving force behind that approach?
We get it—setting up a new vacation rental means making a ton of decisions. And when it comes to art, the process can feel overwhelming.
Where do you even start? What size do you need? Will it actually look good with the rest of your decor? Do you have to frame it yourself? And if you’re in a more remote location, how do you even get large pieces delivered? Plus, if you’re buying online, how do you know it’ll hold up to the wear and tear of a rental?
That’s where we come in. We’re here to make decorating with art as easy as possible—from choosing pieces that fit your space to getting them delivered, hung, and looking amazing. Yes, we sell art, but more than that, we’re here to take the stress and guesswork out of the process.
Find the Right Art, Fast
We’re constantly adding new features to make shopping effortless. Browse interior design collections, see how art looks in your space, search by color scheme, and shop pre-curated bundles that are designed to work together. You can also buy the art in every size and framing option—no more second-guessing if something will fit.
Designed for Vacation Rentals
We work with top vacation rental designers (like Quill decor!) to create and curate art that follows the latest interior trends. That means you can shop by room or even by the whole house, knowing everything will complement your space beautifully.
Fast, Hassle-Free Delivery
Your art arrives in about a week, meticulously packaged for extra protection. Every piece comes fully framed and ready to hang—no DIY required. No more running from store to store trying to piece everything together.
Built to Last
We searched high and low for the best print manufacturer in the U.S. to make sure our art isn’t just beautiful—it’s durable. Our hardwood oak frames and break-resistant acrylic glazing are designed to withstand the everyday wear and tear of rental properties, so you don’t have to worry about the art getting damaged by clumsy guests.
We’re here to take the stress out of decorating, so you can focus on what really matters—welcoming guests into a beautiful space.
As a couple running a business together, what has been the most rewarding (and maybe the most challenging) part of working side by side?
Running a business together definitely has its highs and lows—like anything else in life! We have a philosophy of “choose your hard”...meaning most things in life that are worth doing are hard sometimes. But every path in life has its challenges. Even the so-called easy path has struggles. Overcoming challenges is one of the ingredients of a fulfilling life. So for us, building something together that we believe in…thats living life to its fullest.
We’ve worked on tons of projects over the years, but this was the first time we both went all in. It’s amazing to see each other’s passion come to life. Jessi is the creative dreamer, always playing with ideas, while Valerie is the structured one who keeps things on track. When we lean into each other’s strengths, magic happens.
One of the best parts? We get to share a passion we can talk about anytime. The hardest part? Turning it off. It takes real effort to make time for life outside of work. Like any early-stage startup, the idea of regular work hours has been tossed out the window. But finding balance is key—to both the business and our relationship. One of our favorite moments was when our first big order came in—we literally jumped up, shouted with joy, and danced around the living room. It was a “wow, we’re really doing this!” kind of moment.
Beyond building a successful business, we’re working toward a lifestyle that feels fulfilling. For us, that means traveling the world, learning from different cultures—and, of course, eating amazing food. While we focus on the U.S. market, we can work from anywhere. We’ve made art in Amsterdam, curated collections in Crete, fixed bugs in Belgium, and shipped features from Shanghai. This journey has been full of small wins, big lessons, and plenty of adventure—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
What advice would you give to short-term rental hosts who want to elevate their space but don’t know where to start with art and decor?
Great question! When it comes to decorating a short-term rental, art and decor can really make a difference, but I totally get how it can be overwhelming if you’re not sure where to start. Here’s some advice based on our own experience:
Think like a guest: One of the easiest ways to elevate the rental is to imagine what it would be like to stay there as a guest. What sort of details do they need to make the place home? Who will be staying? Why are they visiting? Who are they traveling with? A few little thoughtful amenities can go a long way in enhancing the guest’s experience. Make sure to include everything they may expect from a hotel, like coffee, shampoos etc. Then you can really impress them with some thoughtful touches for their whole stay. What basic pans and spices do they need to cook? If it's a destination, what might people need that they wouldn’t have brought? An umbrella by the door in a rainy city. Beach bag with towels at the coast. House for families? Baby-safe spaces and kid-friendly design can go a long way. A happening city? A little welcome book with some local tips can really elevate the property. A few thoughtful touches can really make guests stay more comfortable, and not break the bank. Plus, those little details look great in listing photos!
Decor: You don’t need a full house makeover to uplevel your listing. Adding playful or elegant design elements and art can create a cool vibe without breaking the bank.
Start with location: nature or beach themes can flow between art on the walls, accent pieces on tables, and plants in the corners. What kind of vibe do you want to create? Edgy and energetic? Relaxing? Cozy? Once you have a general idea of the feeling you want your space to create, choosing the right art will come a lot more naturally. When thinking about art, art that can go together throughout the house, or mix and match in the rooms will give you a cohesive vibe and also be versatile.
And of course, not sure where to start? That’s where we come in! We help take the guesswork and stress to make it easy to find durable and affordable art that goes with your decor.
Let's talk about your new Designer Collections! I was so happy to collaborate with you to help put some unique art out into some rentals.
Hosts have a million things to juggle when prepping a property—figuring out how an entire houseful of art fits together can feel overwhelming. That’s why we partner with top interior designers to curate art collections you can trust to complement your space. These collections can take the guesswork out of finding art, while also being more unique than what one might find at big-box retailers.
That’s exactly why we loved working with Quill—you created a collection we never would have thought to put together, yet it flows beautifully. Whether hosts hang the pieces as a set or spread them throughout the house, they create a stylish, cohesive feel without the stress of figuring it out themselves.
We’re always collaborating with new designers to bring in fresh perspectives and make sure our collections work across a range of styles. Plus, designers like Quill Decor help us continuously improve our site, making it easier and more approachable for hosts to find the perfect art.
Looking forward, we have big dreams for Sage & Rose Prints. One of our goals is to continue expanding our range of Designer Collections, bringing in even more talented designers to contribute to the brand. We want to keep pushing the envelope in terms of the types of art we offer and ensure there’s something for every kind of space, whether it’s a cozy urban apartment or a luxurious coastal getaway.
If you’re looking to bring fresh life and personality to your short-term rental, I can’t recommend Sage & Rose Prints enough. I personally ordered a couple of pieces from my own collection, and I was genuinely impressed—not only with the quality and craftsmanship of the art but also with how quickly everything arrived.
Valerie and Jessi have created something truly special: a small business that understands the unique needs of hosts and delivers beautiful, practical art right to your door. If you want to elevate your rental with ease, check out their designer collections (including my Moody Cottage picks!). I’m happy to give Sage & Rose my personal recommendation.
Happy Hosting!
If you'd like to learn more about selecting art and building vision boards to help with your short-term rental design, check out my Mini-course below!
