Katie Hanes purchased a 118-year-old home with a vision for a pink Airbnb. Courtesy of Katie Hanes

Hanes posing at Rose Cafe in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. Courtesy of Katie Hanes
Katie Hanes, 28, dreams of creating a one-of-a-kind Airbnb, an experience that is “more than just a place to sleep at night.”

After a visit to the all-pink Rose Cafe in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, she imagined a pink palace where guests could create “lifetime memories.”

The front of the house. Courtesy of Kaite Hanes

One night scrolling Zillow, Hanes came across a Portsmouth, Ohio, home listed for $5,000. “I thought it was a typo,” she told Insider.

The porch of the house. Courtesy of Katie Hanes

The 118-year-old house was in disrepair, with a crumbling porch and caved-in ceilings. Hanes’ dad told her they should just tear it down.

The house in a state of disrepair. Courtesy of Katie Hanes

But she felt the house had a unique charm. “I wanted to give it a new life,” she said.

Hanes at the house. Courtesy of Katie Hanes

Her winning bid of $10,111 was accepted in December 2021.

A side of the house. Courtesy of Katie Hanes

Renovations began in January 2022. Hanes has mostly relied on her father’s experience, with 30 years as a professional contractor and multiple home flips under his belt.

A “before” shot of the house. Courtesy of Katie Hanes

He currently works as a chemical operator at a nearby power plant. So Hanes and her father mostly work on the house during weeknights and weekends, sometimes late into the night.

Hanes and her father working on the roof. Courtesy of Katie Hanes

“This is what he’s done his whole life,” she said. “I knew he’d be the one to help bring this project to life.” Renovations so far have totaled $13,000.

A “before” space in the house. Courtesy of Kaite Hanes

Her dad has helped her draw up blueprints that reflect her vision of the all-pink Airbnb. Currently, she has plans to put a photogenic rose-covered wall in the entryway, inspired by the Rose Cafe.

Hanes in one of the rooms she plans to overhaul. Courtesy of Katie Hanes

Hanes also began documenting the renovation on Instagram under the handle @pinkdreamscottage. Initially, she expected only local interest, but now she has more than 300,000 followers.

A bathroom mid-demolition. Courtesy of Katie Hanes

Brands and artists have already reached out pitching pink collaborations.

Another bathroom in need of repair. Courtesy of Katie Hanes

On Instagram, she’s received messages of encouragement from as far away as Australia and has even connected with the daughter of a previous owner of the house.

Katie and her father installing siding. Courtesy of Katie Hanes

Hanes desperately wanted the house to be pink, but discovered siding that comes in the bright colors she loved wouldn’t be suitable.

Hanes hunted all over for pink siding but had to settle for white. Courtesy of Katie Hanes
She settled for white vinyl siding at a cost of $3,500. She plans instead to have pink exterior accents, from the front door to the shutters to the porch.

Hanes’ vintage pink stove. Courtesy of Katie Hanes

She’s already accumulating appliances and furniture that fit the color scheme, including a $65 vintage pink stove from Facebook Marketplace and a $150 pink sofa.

The grandfather clock as it was purchased. Courtesy of Katie Hanes

Hanes frequents thrift stores and bought a grandfather clock for 99 cents. She’s transformed it with the same pink paint her parents used in her childhood bedroom 15 years ago.

The finished clock. Courtesy of Katie Hanes

Friends and family have gifted her items, too, like pink pots and pans. Hanes also took advantage of a 90% clearance sale on Christmas items at Hobby Lobby, picking up pink lights, trees, and ornaments for the Airbnb.

The interior of the home under construction. Courtesy of Kaite Hanes

Hanes does not have a set opening date yet. But she already plans to market the home for bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, friend trips, and even as a photo studio for brands.

Hanes on the porch. Courtesy of Kaite Hanes

Hanes already picked out her first guest though. She wants the woman, who used to live in the house and found her through Instagram, to stay at the pink cottage with her daughter and granddaughter.

Axel Springer, Insider Inc.’s parent company, is an investor in Airbnb.