Built By Designers. Driven By Results. Powered By Community.
How A Horse Pillow Started A Movement
Vacation Rental Designers didn't start with a business plan. It started with a phone call, a beach house in Oregon, and some questionable décor choices.
But it's more than the money (though the money is great). It's about being part of a community where you can ask questions, share successes, and learn from experts across marketing, PR, procurement, and more.
In 2017, property owner Cassandra Pietrok hired interior designer Jessica Duce to pick out flooring for a new vacation rental property in Waldport, Oregon. Jessica had to Google what “VRBO” meant. The property was well-maintained but, let’s just say, the previous owners had left behind some... unconventional choices—like horse pillows. Yes, in a beach house. Cassandra inherited them with the sale.
During that first meeting, Jessica made a gutsy call: "Don't spend money on the floor. Spend it on everything else."
They trusted her. And she delivered.
The transformation was immediate. What had been a modest earner became their top-producing property—and still is to this day. The Pietrok’s property manager who initially called hiring a designer "a waste of money" became a believer. He's hired Jessica for nine more projects since, with two more on the books for next year.
But here's what really mattered: Jessica realized she'd stumbled into something bigger. This wasn't just design. This was a completely different way of thinking about spaces, profitability, and the guest experience. And nobody in the industry was talking about it.
Finding Community In A Standing Ovation
For years, Jessica tried to break through. She went to vacation rental conferences where interior designers were treated like an afterthought. She approached brands at High Point Market who looked at her like she was speaking another language. She spoke about design's impact on ROI, and people either didn't understand or didn't care.
The vacation rental industry assumed designers were expensive, impractical, and clueless about the business side. The design industry barely acknowledged vacation rentals existed.
Jessica got tired of fighting alone.
In 2023, she pitched the idea for the first Vacation Rental Design Summit to Jane Dagmi, Managing Director of High Point X Design (HPxD), at High Point Market. Along with Ericka Saurit, brand strategist and former Environments Design Lead at Airbnb, the three of them created something that had never existed before: a space where designers working in the short-term rental market could come together, be seen, and be taken seriously.
They had no idea if anyone would show up.
Over 200 people did.
At the end of the summit, Jessica, Jane, and Ericka stood on stage to thank everyone for coming. The audience gave them a standing ovation. Designers told them: "Wait, this can't end. We found our community. This is what we've been looking for."
That's when Jessica knew: this had to become something more.
From Summit to Community
Within months of the first summit, Vacation Rental Designers was born. The goal was simple: keep these people together. Give them a space to ask questions, share successes, learn from one another, and feel less isolated in their work.
But Jessica and Cassandra, who by then had gone from client-designer to true business partners, knew community alone wasn't enough. Designers needed access. They needed better pricing. They needed brands to take them seriously.
So they built something different from traditional buying groups. Instead of funneling designers' orders through one person's account, VRD created direct brand partnerships. Every designer gets their own account, their own relationship, their own deeper discounts. Brands pay VRD to be part of the community, not the other way around.
It's a model built on respect, transparency, and mutual growth.
Since then, the conversation has shifted. Brands that once ignored vacation rental designers are now creating "STR-friendly" product lines. Manufacturers like Four Hands, Hooker Furniture, and Classic Home are actively courting this market. What was once dismissed as a niche is now a $119 billion industry projected to keep growing.
And VRD has been leading that charge.
We’re not just one kind of designer, and we’re definitely not just one city (or country).
VRD is a community built for designers who believe in collaboration over competition. Whether you focus on vacation rentals, residential, or commercial spaces, you’ll find your people here—90+ designers who trade insights, swap resources, and show up for one another.
Our map isn’t just dots on a page. It’s proof that you can run your business from anywhere and still be part of something bigger. So take a look—your next collaborator, mentor, or friend might be closer than you think.
What Drives Us Today
Our mission hasn't changed: we bridge the gap between design and profit, helping you create vacation rentals (or any space) that are both beautiful and financially viable.
But we've also learned something important along the way: you don't have to be a vacation rental designer to benefit from being here.
One in five people own a second home. Whether you're a residential designer, commercial designer, or property stager, you're going to encounter clients with vacation properties. We're here to make sure you're ready when that opportunity comes—and to save you thousands on every project in the meantime.
Save up to 61% off retail
Whether you're curious about the vacation rental space or have no intention of ever stepping into it, VRD delivers real value. Our direct brand partnerships save designers up to 61% off retail. We're talking thousands of dollars per project—most members cover their annual membership on their first project alone.
But it's more than the money (though the money is great). It's about being part of a community where you can ask questions, share successes, and learn from experts across marketing, PR, procurement, and more.
Meet The VRD Team
Jessica Duce
Interior Designer, IDS, NKBA, CEO & Co-Founder
Houston-based interior designer Jessica Duce is a leader in the short-term rental market, creating memorable experiences in vacation rentals from coast to coast.
Her projects range from small family properties to 10+ bedroom resort havens and theme-focused retreats. Homeowners, real estate investors, and property managers nationwide rely on Jessica to craft thoughtful, engaging, and profitable short-term rental spaces.
A frequent presenter, Jessica's authenticity and ability to relate to audiences make her a favorite for panels and summits. She's spoken at the Luxury Design Summit and High Point Market and presented at Furniture Today's Annual Leadership Conference. She was featured in The Wall Street Journal and named to Designer's Today Power 50 list.
To help other designers navigate the world of short-term rentals, she co-founded Vacation Rental Designers, the ultimate resource and community for interior designers in the STR market. The community offers education, insight, and a platform for designers, property owners, and management companies, along with exclusive brand discounts from VRD partners.
VRD members get access to Jessica's industry expertise through Tuesday Tips, Q&A sessions, expert panels, and member consultations.
Jessica is President of IDS Houston and a member of the SKS Appliances National Design Advisory Council. When she's not traveling the country for design projects, you can find her playing pickleball.
Cassandra Pietrok
Co-Founder & Chief Financial Officer
Cassandra brings the property owner and investor perspective that makes VRD unique. As both a vacation rental property owner and business strategist, she understands what it takes to make short-term rentals profitable—and how critical design is to that equation.
Her first vacation rental project with Jessica in 2017 transformed not just the property's revenue, but her entire approach to investing. She has since collaborated with Jessica on six properties, including three income-producing vacation rentals that consistently outperform market averages.
Cassandra manages VRD's operations and strategic partnerships, ensuring the community delivers real value to both designers and brands. Her business acumen and investment experience help VRD stay focused on what matters: results.
She's passionate about educating property owners and managers on the ROI of professional design—and helping designers understand how to speak the language of profitability.
Peg Kusner
Director of Community Experience
If you’ve ever wondered who keeps our community feeling like home—it’s Peg. As Director of Community Experience and Creative Director for Vacation Rental Designers (and founder of JDuce Design), Peg is the heartbeat behind the welcoming, collaborative vibe that sets VRD apart.
Peg delights in guiding clients—designers and homeowners alike—on journeys of self-discovery, helping them see that great design isn’t about following trends or fitting a mold. Her approach? Spaces should reflect beliefs, values, and dreams, not just Pinterest boards.
She’s known for her legendary “little black book” of industry resources and her sixth sense for finding rare, handcrafted, and storied objects—the sort of details that make a house feel like yours. Her work is layered, emotive, and always deeply meaningful.
As a community builder, Peg brings together seasoned pros, new voices, and everyone in between. She’s the one creating connections, sparking honest conversations, and making sure no one feels like an outsider. If you’re looking for a mentor, a champion, or just someone who gets what it’s like to pour your heart into your work, Peg’s your person—and she’s why our community feels like family.
As Director of Operations & Brand Management, Elissa is the key connector bringing together VRD’s tech backbone and its industry-leading brand partnerships. She’s the quiet engine behind the scenes, making sure everything runs smoothly for VRD’s partners and designers alike—whether that means negotiating best-in-class terms, untangling tech issues, or handling those “Who should I reach out to for this?” moments before they become roadblocks.
Elissa works directly with VRD’s brand partners to ensure designers get far more than discounts. For her, it’s all about building genuine, long-term relationships and offering support that goes beyond the numbers—so designers have the resources, credibility, and backing to grow their businesses with confidence.
From the hidden efficiencies to the exclusive deals that make members ask, “Is this really for me?”—Elissa’s behind it. She’s committed to making VRD feel like a true community: technically savvy, thoughtfully connected, and always ready to help designers do their best work.
Elissa Bedwell
Director of Operations & Brand Management
Aimee is the social media strategist behind Vacation Rental Designers' growing digital presence. She's dedicated to amplifying member voices and showcasing the incredible work happening within the VRD community.
With a focus on authentic storytelling and meaningful engagement, Aimee highlights designer work through strategic content curation and collaborations. Her approach focuses on forging connections between members, brand partners, and the broader design community, while leveraging social media to support busy designers who prioritize creating beautiful spaces.
Whether she's crafting member spotlights, developing engaging reels, or helping designers elevate their individual social presence, Aimee brings energy and expertise to every post, story, and comment.
Aimee Kaduce
Social Media Director
Anne Coughlin
Special Projects, JDuce Design
Anne Coughlin is the Managing Director of J Duce Design and brings a wealth of experience from every corner of the furniture and design world.
Anne began her career at Hickory Chair, where she worked as a showroom designer and honed her eye for fabric selection. She later shifted to outside sales, teaming up with her husband to represent Hickory Chair in the field.
Anne’s passion for the industry led her to carve out her own path as a manufacturers’ representative for Wesley Hall and Highland House, working closely with retailers, showrooms, and designers throughout the region.
Now part of the VRD community, Anne is excited to share her expertise, connect with fellow members, and collaborate on fresh approaches in vacation rental design.
Our Brand Partners
VRD partners with leading brands that understand the value of direct designer relationships. Our partners offer exclusive discounts up to 61% off retail and are committed to supporting the design community.
The Results Speak For Themselves
"Becoming a VRD member was/has been a smart decision for my design business as a whole, not just the STR side of my business."
— Joy Maier
"VRD has changed our interior design business...now we have all the processes, resources, and brands at our fingertips we never had access to before. It's changed the way we onboard new clients, and our business is booming!"
— Kerry McHugh Upton + Tricia McHugh, The Getaway Girls
“Joining this incredible community has been a game changer for me! This isn’t just another group focused on profits; it’s a supportive network genuinely dedicated to uplifting designers like us.
Here, creativity thrives, collaboration is encouraged and every member is valued.
If you’re looking for a place that prioritizes your growth and success, this is it!
Let’s inspire each other and take our designs to new heights together.“
— Lori Carpenter, Lori Carpenter Designs
“What Jessica Duce is building for those of us specializing in the short term rental industry is truly incredible.
From the supportive manufacturers backing her vision to the education, resources, and discounts across every service category—it's a game changer.
I'm so honored to be included in a space full of professionals who are genuinely raising the bar for the STR industry.”
— Courtney Buhmann, Fonder Living