After a successful short-term rental transformation together, this young real estate investor returned to The Filipovic Group to renovate his second property — this time, a long-term rental with a very different set of needs.

The home had previously been flipped, but not thoughtfully — resulting in mismatched materials, disjointed flow, and a number of strange design quirks. There was a visible hole in the kitchen looking through to the laundry room, outdated bathrooms with original 1950s tiled walls clashing with new (but cheap) vinyl flooring, and an awkward front entry that boxed guests into a tiny, uninviting foyer. The overall layout and finishes lacked cohesion, making the space feel disjointed and poorly planned.

All of this needed to be addressed quickly and cost-effectively, with a tight turnaround to prepare the home for new tenants.

With full creative freedom, we chose a Modern Coastal design direction — but gave it an edge. The concept was not only to refresh the space but to elevate it beyond the typical rental, making it Instagrammable, bold, and experience-driven, while remaining grounded in function and cost efficiency.

Across three bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, dining room, living room, game room, hallway, and entryway, we reimagined every square foot. Our approach combined visual cohesion with intentional detail:

• Statement coastal wallpaper in each bedroom and game room — bold patterns in different colors that still felt like one curated collection.

• Navy-painted doors and trim in the hallway to anchor the airy design with modern contrast.

• A fully-equipped WFH station — monitor, keyboard, mouse, and ergonomic setup for digital nomads.

• Coffee bar & gaming area — designed for comfort and fun.

• Nightstand outlets and luggage racks in each room for a hotel-style experience.

• Subtle nods to the U.S. Navy throughout, honoring the area’s military community.

All sourcing was done with budget and durability in mind, while never sacrificing the curated look and feel of a premium stay.

The home went live on Airbnb and quickly earned 5-star guest reviews, with travelers specifically highlighting the beauty, comfort, and design-forward feel of the space. The client — initially unsure about the bold wallpaper — was thrilled with the outcome and proud to have his first investment property stand out from the crowd.

This Pensacola property is now a shining example of how thoughtful design, smart planning, and efficient execution can transform even the most outdated space into a modern coastal getaway.