We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Moira Sedgwick. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Moira below.

Hi Moira, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

It all started with a feeling—a craving for spaces that felt both intentional and inviting, designed not just for passing through but for truly sinking in. I had spent years immersed in hospitality, events, and design, curating experiences that made people feel something. But when it came to short-term rentals, I noticed a gap: plenty of beautiful homes, plenty of well-run businesses, but rarely both under one roof.

So I built **A Chalet Collective** to bridge that gap. It’s a portfolio of design-driven, deeply considered stays where aesthetics and hospitality meet. I wanted each home to feel not just like a rental but like a space with soul—layered, lived-in, full of details that surprise and delight. A place where guests could unwind effortlessly because the little things (good lighting, the right glassware, a cozy reading nook) were already thought through.

The logic behind it was clear: travelers were seeking more than just a bed for the night. They wanted warmth, personality, and a sense of place. I knew that by applying the same level of detail I had honed in hospitality, I could create homes that stood out—not just visually, but experientially.

What got me most excited was the chance to rethink what a vacation rental could be. To push beyond the basic Airbnb model and craft something that felt curated, personal, and high-touch. The kind of space where you walk in and immediately *exhale*. A Chalet Collective isn’t just about beautiful homes—it’s about the feeling of arriving somewhere that just makes sense.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Moira, the founder of **A Chalet Collective**, a design-driven hospitality brand that creates immersive, thoughtfully curated stays. My background is rooted in hospitality, design, and event production, and I’ve spent years shaping experiences that make people feel at home—whether in a Michelin-starred dining room, an impeccably run event, or now, in a beautifully designed vacation rental.

**How I Got Into This Industry:**
I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of aesthetics and hospitality. After years of producing events, consulting on restaurant and hotel openings, and traveling extensively, I saw an opportunity in the short-term rental market. Too often, rentals were either beautifully designed but soulless, or cozy but lacking in polish. I knew there was a way to combine both: high-design, high-touch stays that felt both effortless and intentional.

**What A Chalet Collective Provides:**
We design, manage, and curate unique vacation rentals that are more than just places to sleep. Our homes are layered, textured, and full of character—designed with a mix of vintage and modern elements, rich with personality, and stocked with all the thoughtful details that turn a stay into an experience.

Beyond aesthetics, we prioritize **seamless hospitality**—ensuring guests feel taken care of from the moment they book to the moment they check out. Every A Chalet Collective home is not just a place to stay but a place to **sink in, slow down, and savor the moment.**

**Problems We Solve:**
For **travelers**, we offer a curated escape that feels more personal than a hotel but more elevated than a typical Airbnb. Every detail—lighting, layout, amenities—is considered to ensure a comfortable, inspiring stay.

For **property owners**, we bring a designer’s eye and an operator’s expertise to transform their homes into sought-after stays that stand out in a competitive market. We handle everything from sourcing furniture to guest communications, ensuring the property is not only beautifully presented but also a strong investment.

**What Sets A Chalet Collective Apart:**
We approach hospitality **like a lifestyle brand**, not just a rental business. Our homes have a distinct point of view—rooted in warmth, beauty, and a deep understanding of what makes a space feel special. We mix vintage finds with modern comforts, prioritize natural materials, and create spaces that **feel lived-in, yet luxe**. Unlike standard short-term rentals, our homes are designed to be memorable, with details that make guests want to return again and again.

**What I’m Most Proud Of:**
The feedback from guests who say, *“This felt like home—but better.”* The sense of connection that comes from creating spaces that aren’t just beautiful but **deeply functional and welcoming**. And the fact that through design, I get to offer people an experience—of slowing down, of being present, of feeling inspired by the space around them.

**What I Want People to Know About A Chalet Collective:**
We’re not just offering a place to stay; we’re offering **a feeling.** Whether it’s a cozy winter escape in the Poconos, a stylish retreat in Baltimore, or a design-forward cabin in the woods, every A Chalet Collective home is a reflection of our belief that **great design and great hospitality should always go hand in hand.**

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

**A Chalet Collective** started as an experiment—one well-designed short-term rental that I wanted to feel different from the typical Airbnb. It wasn’t just about listing a space; it was about creating an experience, a place where design and hospitality worked together seamlessly.

At the time, I was juggling a career in hospitality, event production, and brand consulting. I loved creating immersive experiences but saw a gap in the short-term rental market: plenty of homes were *functional*, and plenty were *beautiful*, but rarely both. I wanted to build something that felt as considered as a boutique hotel, but with the warmth and character of a home.

I started with one property, designing every detail with the guest in mind. From the first bookings, I saw that people responded to the mix of vintage charm, layered interiors, and hospitality-driven touches. Word spread, occupancy rates stayed high, and soon, guests weren’t just booking stays—they were asking, *Who designed this? Can you help me do the same?*

**Scaling the Business:**
The shift from side hustle to full-time business happened organically but quickly. As demand grew, I began expanding, adding more properties and refining the A Chalet Collective aesthetic: cozy, design-forward spaces that feel effortless but are deeply considered.

**Key Milestones:**
– **First Fully Designed Rental:** Seeing it booked out immediately was proof that guests were craving more than just a standard rental.
– **Expanding the Portfolio:** What started as a single space grew into multiple properties, each with its own unique feel but the same core ethos.
– **Property Design for Other Owners:** Homeowners and investors began approaching me, asking if I could bring the A Chalet Collective aesthetic to their spaces. This allowed me to expand from hosting to full-service design and management.
– **Brand Growth & Recognition:** As more guests stayed in our homes, the word spread. People weren’t just coming for a place to sleep—they were coming for the experience.

Now, **A Chalet Collective** is my full-time business, blending my love of design, hospitality, and storytelling into every space we create. What started as a side project has become a brand that stands for thoughtfully designed, high-touch stays that feel like a *real* getaway—beautiful, intentional, and full of personality.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In the early days of **A Chalet Collective**, I poured everything into designing a dream-worthy short-term rental—beautiful interiors, layered textures, the perfect mix of vintage and modern. It booked out immediately, validating the idea that people were craving more than just a generic Airbnb stay. But then, reality hit: a massive snowstorm knocked out power for days, leaving guests stranded and me scrambling to find solutions.

Instead of panicking, I leaned into what I do best—hospitality and problem-solving. I called every nearby rental, found alternative accommodations, and personally covered guests’ expenses. Some were so impressed with the level of care that they rebooked for later dates.

That moment taught me that **great hospitality isn’t about perfection; it’s about how you handle the unexpected.** It reinforced my commitment to designing spaces that aren’t just beautiful but *built* for real life—ones where guests feel truly taken care of. Since then, I’ve implemented backup power solutions, enhanced communication systems, and built a team that ensures our homes are just as resilient as the brand itself.

Resilience, to me, isn’t just about surviving setbacks; it’s about using them to refine, improve, and create something even stronger.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.achaletcollective.com
• Instagram: achalet.collective
• Linkedin: moirasedgwick

Image Credits

moira sedgwick