Elysian/Luna Part 3: Post-Closing Adventures & Interior Design Magic

This is part three of our short-term rental acquisition journey — the story of how we brought Luna (the first unit of the Elysian micro-resort) to life.

If you missed the earlier parts:

• Part 1: Pre-offer phase – all the decision-making leading up to our offer.
• Part 2: Under contract phase – inspections, negotiations, and behind-the-scenes decisions.

The Post-Closing Rollercoaster

We originally planned to close on November 6th, but the day was full of unexpected twists. We were in Kentucky at our other short-term rental, the Commonwealth on the Bourbon Trail, handling updates like installing a hot tub and refreshing furniture.

We had requested a virtual closing, thinking we could sign electronically. But it turned out we needed a remote closing, requiring us to sign physical documents in front of a notary. Complications kept piling up:

1. Document Delays: UPS experienced a major plane crash, delaying our overnight documents.
2. Printing Challenge: Our rural Kentucky Airbnb had no printer. The local library saved the day, but their printer had a 50-page limit, so we worked with the librarian to override it.
3. Notary Problems: The library’s notaries were unavailable. The county extension office stepped in.
4. State Confusion: The notary paperwork said “Virginia” instead of “Kentucky,” which had to be corrected.
5. Shipping Nightmare: USPS had to handle the return, delaying recording of the closing until Monday.

Despite all this, Luna was officially ours — though it was a stressful 48 hours.

Surprise Guest Reservations

We discovered the previous owners hadn’t canceled upcoming guest reservations as outlined in the contract. This created a liability risk, so we decided not to honor any future bookings. Thankfully, they canceled all reservations, giving us a clean slate.

Preparing Luna for Interior Design

We waited for Thanksgiving to spend a full week on-site for interior updates.

• Interior Design: Brianna Michelle provided a detailed design plan, including spreadsheets with furniture, decor, and links.
• Purchasing Strategy: We used Minoan, a platform that aggregates short-term rental owners to secure bulk discounts on items like lamps and furniture. We also monitored Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals for better prices on some items.
• Budget Lessons: The designer’s budget covered furniture and decor, but not flooring or paint, which we had to cover separately.

Renovation Highlights

• Flooring & Paint: We replaced LVP throughout the downstairs and loft, tiled the bathroom, and painted most rooms, including a dramatic cranberry living room.
• DIY Magic: My dad and husband Caleb were MVPs, building bunk beds, fixing plumbing, and installing a dishwasher.
• Custom Touches: We found a local retired art teacher to paint a mural on a dome ceiling — an incredible addition that brought local artistry into our space.

The Vision for Elysian

Luna is the first unit of the Elysian micro-resort, set on five acres in Southern Virginia.

• Unit Names: Each unit has its own name: Luna (moon), Soul SOL (sun), and future units like Eden (treehouse).
• Future Plans: We envision unique stays like treehouses, mirror houses, and silos — creating a boutique resort experience.

Lessons Learned

1. Always clarify closing type: Virtual vs. remote closings can make or break your schedule.
2. Track every item: Especially when ordering from multiple vendors and bulk discount platforms.
3. Budget for extras: Flooring, paint, and labor are often outside interior design budgets.
4. Local connections matter: Librarians, notaries, and mural artists became invaluable allies.

Next Steps

We still have furniture to install once the floor is complete, and Luna isn’t listed live yet. Stay tuned for part four, where we’ll share the official listing and finishing touches.

Bonus: If you’re thinking about buying a short-term rental, I created a Short-Term Rental Acquisition Checklist — a step-by-step guide for analyzing properties, staying organized, and making confident investment decisions. It’s free and includes everything from pre-offer to post-closing. Check the show notes to download it!

Follow along on Instagram at @brandandmarket.co or DM me — I love connecting with fellow short-term rental enthusiasts and sharing insights.