So you know how I’m always on the lookout for great stories about sustainability and creative building? Well, today I want to share something super cool and inspiring. It sure was for me!
During a weekend trip to Palm Harbor, FL., (just 39 minutes from Tampa or about 33 minutes from St. Petersburg), I stayed at this incredible Airbnb called the Days Off Guesthouse, and after a few chats (and a lot of jaw-dropping moments touring the space), I got to learn the story behind the home from its creators, Steve and Denise Daye. I loved it so much, I asked if they’d be willing to share the backstory for the blog—and they totally did! 🙌 You can check their house out here on their Airbnb page.
Here’s how one man built a solar-powered, storm-resistant, eco-conscious Airbnb over seven years—basically from the ground up.
The Dream Begins (and Demolition Too)
In 2018, Steve and Denise bought the house next door. But instead of fixing it up, they demolished it. Yup, straight to the ground. From there, the real adventure began.
Steve told me:
“I sketched out a drawing of what I wanted, and spent hours with the engineers on all the specifics… After seeing the houses that survived Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Florida, I knew I wanted to build using ICF—Insulated Concrete Form—construction.”
For those unfamiliar, ICF is a super sturdy, energy-efficient building technique that’s becoming more popular, especially in areas that face extreme weather.
Building, Slowly and Intentionally
Steve’s timeline blew me away—not just for how much he and Denise did themselves, but how thoughtfully it all came together:
- 2019: Final plans and permits approved.
- 2020: The basement was dug, ICF blocks were stacked, and concrete was poured. A garage floor became a ceiling for the basement!
- 2021: They got the place “dried in” with roof framing and shingles.
- 2022: Steve installed the electric and plumbing—on his days off.
- 2023: It was all about the finish work—loft beams, iron pipe lighting, flooring, kitchen, bathrooms… the works.
- 2024: Furnishings, appliances, and those cozy final touches.
- 2025: First Airbnb guests (like me!) arrive!
And let me tell you, every single detail has been touched by love and intention.
Solar Power, Smart Tech, and Seriously Thoughtful Design
Okay, let’s geek out for a second. This place isn’t just beautiful—it’s smart and sustainable.
Steve shared some of the features that make the guesthouse truly one-of-a-kind:
- 9.7kW solar array + Tesla Powerwalls
- Each structure (main house + guesthouse) has its own 200amp breaker
- Pex plumbing and a water manifold system
- On-demand hot water
- Kohler digital showers
- Three-zone mini split A/C
- Gigabit Wi-Fi
- Spray foam insulation
- Hurricane windows
- A basement shower and plans for a dry sauna and theater
Every corner of this house has been carefully thought out. Steve and Denise didn’t just build a house—they created an experience.
Steve said:
“There are literally hundreds of little things that Denise and I did to make this building a one-off.”
The Budget Reality (And Why It Was Worth It)
Originally, they hoped to keep the project around $200K. But with pandemic-era material costs, inspiration-struck upgrades (you know how that goes), and doing most of the work themselves over several years, the total landed closer to $550K—including the land purchase.
But they didn’t take out a loan. They paid as they went, using sweat equity instead of a general contractor.
Steve put it best:
“We certainly could have taken out a construction loan and had it finished sooner, but I enjoy working on things and building things I can stand back and be proud of. Our daughters were home for much of the construction and we shared in the blood, sweat, and tears—passing knowledge and skills to them just as my dad did with me.”
🥲 Honestly, how cool is that?
From Vision to Reality
From the first sketch to the final lightbulb, the Days Off Guesthouse is a labor of love, creativity, and grit. It’s also a testament to what sustainable living can look like when you mix modern tech with good old-fashioned hard work.
And now that it’s finished, guests (like me!) get to enjoy the fruits of their vision. Whether you’re dreaming of building your own eco-conscious Airbnb or just love a good story of resilience and innovation, I hope this inspires you as much as it inspired me.
Thanks again to Steve and Denise for sharing your journey so openly. I’ll be sharing some video clips and audio from our chats soon—stay tuned for those!
Want to see more sustainable home builds or get inspired to create your own off-grid getaway? Sign up for my newsletter or follow along on Instagram @TerraOnTheBench.
Got questions for Steve or Denise? Drop them below and I’ll pass them along!
📸 [Before and After images if you’re able to upload them!]
