Designing The Avalon: How a Single Guest Suite Became a Showcase of My Wallpaper, Textile, and Interior Design Vision
- mairinkareli
- Dec 11, 2025
- 4 min read
There’s something magical that happens when you get to design a space from the ground up—when you aren’t just creating a pattern or a print but shaping an entire world, one surface at a time. The Avalon, my guest suite in Reno, became exactly that kind of project: a living canvas, a design laboratory, and a love letter to beauty, comfort, and maximalist storytelling.
I designed everything you see in The Avalon. Not metaphorically—literally.
I chose every tile, every finish, every appliance, every textile. I installed the floors; I designed the giant wall mural behind the bed, the closet-door wallpaper panels, the etched-look privacy vinyl on the bathroom window, the custom fabrics on the stools and desk chair, all the original art on the walls, the stationery, the labeling system—every visual and functional detail.
I wanted to create a space that wrapped you up in a story the moment you stepped through the door. And judging from the hundreds of glowing reviews, that intention came through.
A Space Built With Designer Hands
Designing The Avalon was my dream combination of interior design, fine art, and surface pattern design all working together in harmony.
The mural behind the bed?I designed it. A serene, stylized landscape—soft mountains, layered waters, gentle clouds—balanced to feel like waking up inside an illustrated dreamscape.
The closet-door panels? Wallpaper I created, printed, and installed to extend the landscape motif across the room, echoing reflection, symmetry, and the mood of a quiet, watery morning.
The privacy window vinyl in the bathroom?A custom illustration transformed into frosted film, providing natural light while maintaining tranquility and privacy.
The tile selection and layout? Art Deco–inspired seafoam greens and teals paired with marble—an intentional mix of organic and geometric, soft and structured.
The kitchen? Retro turquoise appliances, curated open shelving, collected glassware, and a backsplash chosen for both texture and narrative resonance. This wasn’t decorating.This was world-building.
What Guests Said — The Social Proof That Matters
The Avalon became so successful on Airbnb not because it was convenient or clean—though it was both—but because guests consistently felt the design.
Here are real testimonials that speak directly to the interior-design impact:
“Everything was so expertly put together and peaceful… it was evident that Mairin put a lot of work into this adorable place.”
“Very inviting décor… the aesthetic was unique and inviting.”
“The Avalon was so beautifully decorated and well thought out! So very clean and elegant.”
“It felt like a spa—calming atmosphere, original art, soft colors.”
“One of the best-designed Airbnbs I’ve ever stayed in.”
“Everything felt intentional. When I wanted something, it was there—even things I hadn’t thought of.”
“The pictures do not convey how beautiful this property is!”
“I will be taking inspiration for our guest house.”
“We loved the décor and tiny details—absolutely perfect.”
“A home that felt designed with care… the design touches made such a difference.”
These reviews confirmed something important:People feel design.Even those who don’t speak the language of tile trim, motif symmetry, or tone-on-tone detailing still feel the effects of thoughtful composition, pattern harmony, and visual storytelling.
Where Interiors and Surface Pattern Design Meet
Many interior designers specialize in selecting pre-existing materials.My specialty is different:I create the materials.
At The Avalon, that meant designing:
Custom wallpapered surfaces
Printed fabrics for seating
Privacy window graphics
Original fine art
Decorative motifs repeated throughout the space
Cohesive color palettes on appliances, textiles, tile, and finishes
This is my sweet spot—bringing together historical influence, botanical illustration, Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts, and Deco geometry with the organic patterns of nature.
The Avalon is a microcosm of what I offer licensing partners and interior designers:
I don’t just design wallpaper. I design environments.I create patterns that build worlds, not just rooms.
Why This Matters to Interior Designers & Art Directors
If you’re an interior designer, art director, or product developer, you’re often looking for someone who can:
✔ understand how pattern scale works in space✔ create coordinating designs across wallpaper, textiles, and upholstery✔ design pieces that translate across manufacturing processes✔ build visual cohesion across an entire environment✔ deliver art that carries mood, story, and emotion✔ think like a fine artist and a production designer✔ create custom murals, repeat patterns, and specialty finishes
This is exactly what I did at The Avalon—and exactly what I do in my studio today.
Whether you need:
full-room visual storytelling
high-concept moodscapes
custom pattern licensing
—I’ve done it, and I’d love to do it for you.
The Avalon as a Living Portfolio
Designing The Avalon wasn’t an accident.It was the first large-scale proof of concept:a real-world space where my surface designs, fine art, and interiors could coexist and reinforce one another.
Guests walked in and felt held, soothed, inspired.They slept better.They took photos.They returned.Some said they’d design their own homes differently after staying there.
That’s the power of art we live inside.That’s the power of intentional surfaces.That’s the power of pattern design done with heart and history behind it.
If You’re Looking for a Designer Who Can Build Worlds…
If you’re seeking wallpaper, fabric, murals, or decorative surfaces that feel:
✨ bold✨ nature-rooted✨ historically inspired✨ emotionally resonant✨ richly detailed✨ immersive
…or if you need a designer who thinks about interiors like a novelist thinks about setting, then I’d love to collaborate.
The Avalon was just the beginning. Let’s build something unforgettable.
