I like my coffee like I like myself: strong, sweet, and too hot for you. And I’m not going to tell you who said that.
As so many good things do, Seize the Stay grew out of a need.
My father died and my marriage ended in the same month. At the same time, the business I’d built with my ex-husband, the thing that had provided my income and structure, disappeared overnight.
In my thirties I had a very different life. I was an art historian running a contemporary art gallery in Notting Hill dedicated exclusively to the work of women artists, before that was even a thing. After that I spent years writing on contemporary art and teaching yoga.
Being self-employed and starting up small businesses is what I know. My Dad was a successful entrepreneur. It’s in my DNA. But starting up a small business and actually making money are not necessarily the same thing. And around the age of 50 I was in the midst of a cash-flow crisis. Again.
One day I mentioned that crisis to a friend. She encouraged me to Airbnb the spare room in my flat in London. Oh my God. Strangers in my home? Absolutely not.
But a cash-flow crisis is a cash-flow crisis. And so it began.
Within a month my spare-room calendar was chock-a-block. And I discovered, to my surprise, that I absolutely love hosting. I love taking the time and care to create spaces that are relaxing and stylish to stay in, with all the little details that take a stay from good to great.
I also love playing about with colour. That is one of our signatures at Seize the Stay: bold, colourful spaces. And with my art history background, I love choosing unusual art pieces for the walls. Art that adds character, not just takes up space.
North by Northwest
After the London spare-room experiment I decided to head back to the North West of England. This is where I grew up. My parents are from Warrington. My first stop wasn’t Warrington though, it was Ellesmere Port.
I bought a run-down 3-bed end-of-terrace house and refurbished it with Airbnb in mind. This was my first refurb. My partner, Renato, had some experience of building work and refurbs. I had none. Zero.
But we got stuck in. After four months of hard work and £27,000 spent, the property that had been a borderline health hazard to enter now looked amazing.
The first day of that property going live was scary. Because what if there’s no demand? What if no-one wants to come to Ellesmere Port? What if it doesn’t work, as lots of people had told me it wouldn’t?
I remember sitting in the newly renovated dining room, laptop on the antique dining table we’d got at auction for an incredible £90, and hitting Go Live on the listing. I hadn’t even had time to sync all the calendars before the first booking came in. And then a second booking. For the same days. A double booking. Oh God. Disaster.
Once I’d sorted out the mess and calmed my shattered nerves, I realised: wow, so it looks like there is demand here then. Win.
To Infinity and Beyond
People seem to really enjoy staying in our properties, and we aim to create lots more in the coming years. We’re currently refurbishing a large 3-bed, 2-bathroom terraced house in Sherburn Hill, Durham. It’s taking a while. But I am loving designing the colourful rooms. We’ve already chosen the bathrooms and, guess what, absolutely no plastic wall cladding. Because who ever thought that was a good idea? Cheaper is definitely not always better.
The little things you never ask for
Most of what we call important in life is built on the mundane. So what do people never ask for but always love about our properties?
- A choice of coffee-making facilities, because everyone has their favourite. There’s a Nespresso machine, a cafetière and an Italian coffee maker in every property, plus decent fresh coffee. As well as good old-fashioned granules, for those who prefer life uncomplicated.
- Good quality shower gel, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner.
- An expensive mattress. We never scrimp on a good night’s sleep. It is literally why you’re here.
- Big, fluffy towels. Not a tiny square that’s been through the wash five million times and feels like cardboard by this point in its existence.
- Check-in instructions straight to WhatsApp on the day. Because who wants to be searching through a million emails when all you want is the key code?
The world is your lobster
Because of my background in the art world, my favourite thing about designing a home to stay in is the art. I know people like the pieces because so many ask me where I get them. The answer is all online and, by the way, all pretty cheap. There are a tonne of websites for this. Just look beyond the obvious. Not Ikea. Not Dunelm. And definitely not B&Q.
So my absolute favourite piece of guest feedback was when someone wrote and said:
Cheers Beverley. Lovely house. Mega clean and we loved the decor. You can’t beat a huge Salvador Dali lobster print right outside the bathroom.
That made me smile.
The North remembers
As well as the Wirral, we also have properties in Durham. Our first one was a lovely little 2-bed end of terrace with views over the rolling hills. I’ve stayed there many times myself and I absolutely love it. It has a cosy, homely vibe, and you can take endless nature hikes through the Durham countryside right from the front door. You’ll see squirrels and horses and, if you’re lucky, even a peacock.
That’s why we always welcome pets. I’m a massive animal lover myself, and I fully get that if you’re going away as a family the hound is an important part of that. And let’s face it, the dog is going to love the countryside walks even more than you are.
Who stays at Seize the Stay?
Our typical guest varies by location.
In the North West, currently Ellesmere Port and Wallasey, it’s usually people travelling for work. Contractors, riggers, painters and decorators, shop-fitters, nurses, emergency response teams, engineers, film crews and quite a lot of professional golfers. As well as, occasionally, families heading to Chester Zoo for the weekend.
In Durham it’s more about families coming for a break in the countryside, or to visit their children studying at the university.
The wolf at the door
Our logo is Lupita, the wolf. She represents the weary traveller looking for somewhere to lay their head after a long day. If you’ll excuse the woo-woo, my spirit animal is the wolf, so she is very personal and very close to my heart.
If you’re looking for somewhere to lay your own head, whether it’s a work stay, a family break or a countryside escape with the dog, we’d love to host you. Have a look at our properties, or get in touch and you’ll be talking to Renato or me directly.