sea salt forest

a cozy coastal retreat next to the forest and the sea

A large, modern house painted in light blue with multiple large windows, situated in a wooded area with tall pine trees surrounding it. The house has a front porch with white railings and a staircase leading up to it. There is a paved pathway in front, bordered by rocks and landscaped plants, and the sky is clear and sunny.
Stacked smooth stones of various sizes, arranged from largest at the bottom to smallest at the top.

When the project began, it was a complete blank slate: an empty house with the scale to sleep families and large groups, and no plan yet for turning that square footage into a listing that books, earns strong reviews, and holds its rate. The objective was to furnish it from nothing and stand it up as a premium short-term rental.

A house that size carries a particular tension: it has to sleep enough people to justify its rate without any room starting to feel like an afterthought or a bunk room. Before I bought a single piece of furniture, I worked out how each room would be used and pictured the families and large groups who would actually be staying there. The layout decisions came first, and the furnishings followed from them.

Layout settles who fits. The harder question is who's actually staying, and what they'll remember after they leave. Cram a big house and it sleeps more people miserably; under-plan it and you leave revenue on the table. So the design didn't start with furniture. It started there.

The home was a true blank canvas, albeit a bit beige. So I gave each room a distinctive but cohesive theme pulled from the landscape the home sits in: a garden room, a forest room, a tropical room, an ocean room, and the captain's quarters at the very top of the house (the best view!). That decision became the most memorable thing about the place. It is what guests remember and talk about, and a large part of why the home reads as a destination rather than as one more well-furnished rental on the coast.

Scope of Work

Full furnishings design, staging, and setup — empty house to live listing

Key interventions

Solving occupancy without losing comfort.

The enormous footprint was the central puzzle. We configured each room to hold as many guests as it comfortably could while protecting the sense of openness that makes a group trip feel like an actual getaway. We carefully planned each space around the groups who would actually stay there, so the home sleeps families and large parties without the sardine-tin feeling a lot of big rentals fall into at capacity.

Gave every room a reason to be remembered.

One safe coastal palette across the whole house would have blended into every other listing on the coast. So we gave each room its own theme: a garden room, a forest room, a tropical room, an ocean room, and the captain's quarters at the very top. Every theme was a deliberate, market-aware choice meant to make the home distinctive in a crowded field. This became the most memorable detail of the whole home, and it's exactly what separates a home guests scroll past from one they book on purpose, talk about, and return to.

Invested where guests actually feel it.

The budget went to the details that drive comfort and reviews rather than to surface flash. Blackout curtains so guests sleep. Quality cotton bedding they notice the moment they get in. A genuinely well-stocked kitchen that lets a group cook for itself. These are the small things guests mention in five-star reviews and the things missing from listings that stall at four stars.

Reconciling a premium stay with an efficient back end.

A premium guest experience that's a nightmare to turn over doesn't last. Every choice was weighed against the reality of high-turnover use: how it cleans, how it wears, how a cleaner resets it between stays. Balancing a premium stay with an efficient back end produced the most valuable outcome of all. Sea Salt Forest became the playbook for how the entire portfolio is now furnished and managed.

Outcome

6 years later, Sea Salt Forest is on track for its best revenue year yet, and it's getting there on fewer bookings than it used to take. Over time the home earned a reputation, and that reputation let it hold a higher price. It's now one of the most expensive homes in the Lincoln City market, and it tends to fill its calendar well ahead of when most homes in the area do. Guests come back, send their friends, and plan trips around it rather than landing on it by chance. Sea Salt Forest is the home we learned the most from, and the one every new project has been modeled on since.

A modern multi-story house with gray siding, multiple large windows, and a screened porch with stairs leading down to landscaped yard. Tall evergreen trees in the background.
A two-story house with a gray exterior and large windows, surrounded by trees and landscaped greenery, with a deck and stairs leading to the backyard.
A row of light blue and white houses with large windows, surrounded by trees and landscaping, under a clear blue sky.
Aerial view of three houses in a wooded area, with landscaped yards and a stone-lined border around some plant beds.
A multi-story house with a gray exterior, large windows, a screened porch, and a staircase leading down to a landscaped yard with plants and rocks, surrounded by tall trees.
Backyard patio with a fire pit surrounded by six white Adirondack chairs, a small wooden garden shed, a patio with pavers, and a wooden fence with string lights, next to a light blue house with a garage and trees in the background.
View of a multi-story house with beige and white siding, a gray roof, and multiple windows, situated on a hillside with trees and a view of the ocean in the background. There is a backyard with a fire pit surrounded by white chairs, a small shed, and
An aerial view of a residential property surrounded by trees, showing several houses, parked cars, a backyard with outdoor furniture, and a curved driveway.
Aerial view of a beach with houses, trees, and a calm ocean with gentle waves.
Aerial view of a coastal neighborhood with houses along the shoreline, dense trees on the right, and the ocean with waves in the background.
Aerial view of a coastal neighborhood with houses along the ocean, surrounded by forested hills and mountains.
View of a hillside residential area with colorful houses surrounded by dense trees and mountains in the background, under a clear blue sky.
Aerial view of a suburban neighborhood with multiple modern houses surrounded by tall trees and mountains in the background.
Front view of a two-story house with two garage doors and a balcony, surrounded by greenery and trees.
A backyard garden with a stone pathway, lush green plants, and evergreen trees behind a wooden fence. Part of a house with blue siding and a yellow shed are visible.
Backyard patio with a wooden sauna, white Adirondack chairs around a fire pit, a small tree, and a wooden fence, surrounded by trees and a blue house in the background.
Interior of a small wooden sauna with curved walls and benches, a window looking out to trees, and a sauna heater in the center.
A backyard with a fire pit surrounded by white Adirondack chairs, a wooden privacy fence, and a wooded area with tall trees in the background.
A backyard patio with white Adirondack chairs around a fire pit, a wooden sauna, a small tree, and a house with gray siding, surrounded by tall trees and string lights overhead.
Backyard with a hot tub, wooden stairs, a fence, and a house with beige siding and multiple windows, under a clear blue sky.
An outdoor backyard area with a hot tub in the foreground, surrounded by a gravel yard, a wooden privacy fence on the right, and a backdrop of tall pine trees under a bright blue sky. There are string lights hanging above, and Adirondack chairs are v
A laundry room with a front-loading washing machine and dryer, a window showing trees outside, and a countertop with a doorknob in the foreground.
A small bathroom with a yellow accent wall on the left, featuring a white floating shelf holding woven and ceramic decor items. To the right, there is a white vanity with a sink, a towel, and a soap dispenser. Above the sink, a large mirror reflects
Hotel room bathroom area with towels, a mirror, and signs indicating sauna use and safety instructions, visible in the hallway with living space and large windows in the background.
A backyard patio with Adirondack chairs, a small outdoor table, a wooden privacy fence, and surrounded by pine trees. There are string lights hanging along the fence, and a small wooden playhouse is visible. Some covered objects are in the yard, with
A modern kitchen with white cabinets, black hardware, stainless steel appliances, a kitchen island with white chairs, pendant lights, and windows with white blinds.
Kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floor, and pendant lights.
Open-concept kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a dining area with chairs and a table, overlooking a living room with large windows and a TV.
A modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel refrigerator, black countertops, and a kitchen island. The open-concept space has large windows allowing in natural light, pendant lights above, and a view of the living area with seating and a te
Kitchen countertop with a silver espresso machine, brown paper coffee bags, white containers labeled 'SUGAR', 'TEA', and 'CUP', and a black coffee maker against a white subway tile backsplash.
A modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances including a microwave above a stove, a toaster oven on the counter, a white subway tile backsplash, and large windows with blinds allowing natural light.
Modern kitchen with white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, pendant lighting, and a breakfast bar with white chairs.
Open concept kitchen and dining area with white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, a large wooden dining table, white chairs, and hardwood flooring, illuminated by recessed lighting and three hanging pendant lights.
A bright, open kitchen and dining area with wood flooring, white cabinets, and a wooden dining table with chairs. Large windows and glass doors allow natural light, with wall decorations including a fish sculpture and framed artwork.
Living room with hardwood floors, beige couches, a wooden dining table with chairs, large windows with blinds showing outdoor view, a television on a white fireplace mantel, and decorative wall art including a fish. Kitchen area partially visible wit
Bright living room with large windows, a white fireplace with a TV mounted above, and multiple sofas with cushions around a patterned rug.
Open-concept living room with multiple couches, a fireplace, wall-mounted TV, kitchen in the background, and large windows letting in natural light.
Living room with gray and navy sofas, yellow pillows, a patterned rug, wall art, and large windows in a cozy home.
Interior of an entryway with a white bench, storage cubbies, black hooks on wall, a small wall mirror, a window, and a glass door leading outside, with wooden floors and beige walls.
Living room with gray sofas, a wall-mounted TV, a fireplace, windows with blinds, and a wooden side table with a tissue box.
Interior view of a home entryway with a staircase, doors, and hardwood flooring.
A bedroom with a wooden bed, white bedding, and multiple white pillows. The wall behind the bed is painted green, with two wall-mounted lights on either side. There is a small shelf on each side of the bed with a small plant and a tissue box. To the
A bedroom with beige walls, white trim, a white closet door, a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, a framed photograph, a window with curtains, a portion of a bed with white bedding, and a beige carpeted floor.
A bedroom with white bedding, a large window with white curtains, floral wallpaper, a small wooden bench, white closet doors, a wall-mounted TV, and a doorway leading to a dining area with a wooden table and chairs.
Bathroom with a double sink vanity, round mirrors, a beige wall, and a window with white curtains.
Bathroom with a bathtub, shower curtain with a leaf pattern, green wall, and view into a bedroom with a bed, window with curtains, and tropical wallpaper.
A bathroom with green and beige walls, a double sink vanity with two mirrors, and tropical decor. Part of a bedroom with floral curtains and a white bed is visible through the doorway.
A bedroom with a large bed, white bedding, and a dark wood frame. There are three windows with beige curtains and blinds, a framed artwork on the wall, a nightstand with a lamp, and a small blue ottoman at the foot of the bed. Large windows reveal a
A bedroom with large windows covered by pink curtains, a white bed, a gray bench, a mirror, and wall decorations.
A bedroom with a bed dressed in white bedding, two bedside tables with lamps, pink curtains, and framed artwork on light-colored walls.
A bathroom with a bathtub and shower, gray patterned shower curtain, white towel on a black towel bar, framed mirror above a wooden vanity with two sinks, decorative vase with dried flowers, and a framed picture of birds on the wall.
A cozy bedroom with a wooden bunk bed in the foreground and a sofa bed with pillows in the background, illuminated by natural light from windows with curtains, and decorated with wall art and a lamp.
A bedroom with a wooden bunk bed, a window with curtains, and a bed with a yellow quilt.
A cozy bedroom with a wooden bunk bed, a yellow quilted blanket on a chair, curtains, lamps, and a view of the bathroom through an open door.
A clean bathroom with a marble countertop vanity, a large mirror, a window with a plant, a bathtub with a shower curtain rod, and a toilet.
A hotel room with large windows, a bed with white linens, a blue sofa, a wooden nightstand with a lamp, and a colorful abstract mountain and sun mural on the wall.
A bedroom with a white bed, multiple windows with white curtains and blinds, a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, a gray sitting area, and a wall-mounted lamp.
A bedroom with a white bed covered with white pillows, a wooden nightstand with a lamp, a wall with pastel mountain and sun mural, a closet with white double doors, and a doorway leading to a staircase with beige carpet.
A bathroom with a bathtub and shower, a towel on the edge of the tub, a circular mirror above a white vanity with sink, and a window with outdoor trees visible. A decorative wooden fish hangs on the wall, and a brown soap dispenser is on the vanity.
Living room with a gray sofa, an ottoman with a striped blanket, a ceiling fan with lights, a doorway with a window and curtains, a mounted TV, and a small corner with a wooden chair and a painting.
A cozy living space with a fireplace, a large flat-screen TV mounted above it, a round wooden dining table with chairs, a window with a view of the ocean, and decorated walls with artwork and shelves.
Living room with a fireplace, wall-mounted TV, a dining table with chairs, and a blue armchair. The room has beige carpet and vaulted ceiling with a ceiling fan.
View of a cozy bedroom with a large window overlooking ocean and neighborhood, cream curtains, white walls, a navy bed, a small blue armchair, a side shelf with books and decor, in a attic space with sloped ceiling and central light fixture.
A cozy bedroom with large windows overlooking houses and the ocean. The room has a blue couch, a blue armchair, a bed, a wooden bookshelf with books, and decorative wall mirrors. Natural light fills the room.
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Residential neighborhood near the coast with houses, trees, and a view of the ocean under a clear blue sky.
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A covered wooden porch attached to a house with beige siding. There is a white railing, a grill, a small table, and two chairs with tropical print cushions. Trees are in the background.
View of a balcony with wooden chairs, gray siding, large windows, white railing, and trees and houses in the background.
A seaside residential neighborhood with several houses, lush greenery, and a clear view of the ocean under a bright blue sky.
View from a porch overlooking a neighborhood with houses, trees, and a glimpse of the ocean in the distance, under a clear blue sky.
View of a second-story balcony of a house with light gray siding, wooden floorboards, white trim, and large windows, overlooking a sunny outdoor area with trees in the background.
View from a balcony overlooking a neighborhood with houses, trees, and the ocean in the distance on a clear day.
Front porch with wooden floor and railing, several wooden chairs, beige house siding, white trim, and glass door with the house number 2142, with trees and neighboring houses in the background under a sunny sky.
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A spacious garage with a work area, various items, and a foosball table. The ceiling has garage door openers and fluorescent lights. The floor is concrete with some stains.
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Empty garage with a closed white roll-up door, fluorescent ceiling lights, are two garage openers, a white refrigerator, cleaning tools, and storage bins against the wall.
Garage wall with hooks, storage bins, and a folding chair; firewood on the floor.
Indoor recreational room with a foosball table in the foreground, a hockey table, basketball hoop, and climbing net in the background; framed artwork on the white walls.
A living room with beige walls and hardwood floors, featuring a large window with blue blinds revealing a view of neighboring houses and an ocean horizon. The room has a gray sofa with yellow pillows, a gray armchair, a patterned area rug, a small si
Living room with large windows, a blue sofa with beige pillow, a white fireplace mantel with a TV mounted above, a wicker basket, and a table lamp. Decor includes a small shelf with owl and ship models, and a patterned area rug.
A bedroom with a bed featuring white bedding and pillows, green and patterned accent walls, two wall-mounted lights, a framed picture, and small vases with decorations on the side tables.
A bathroom vanity with a double sink, light blue cabinet, white countertop, two faucets, a soap dispenser, decorative tissue box with palm trees, two circular mirrors, beige wall, towel rack with two white towels, power outlet, bathroom window with c
White towels with black piping on a turquoise bathroom shelf, metal shower caddy and shower curtain with black abstract pattern on a cream background.
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A bedroom with a bed, nightstands, and windows with pink curtains. There is framed wall art and a door on the right.
A bedroom with a wooden bunk bed on the left, a window with beige curtains in the center, and a gray sofa with a yellow quilt and pillows on the right.
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A residential house built on a hill surrounded by trees, with a paved driveway and greenery in the foreground under a clear blue sky.