Storytelling
for Places
Branding & Web Design by Katie Zana
Go beyond ‘a nice Airbnb’ people find by luck in a sea of listings to one remembered by name, recommended and returned to.
A recognisable name.
A beautiful brand.
A direct booking website.
An unforgettable experience.
A recognisable name. A beautiful brand. A direct booking website. An unforgettable experience.
G’day, I’m Katie. I help heritage properties, estates and boutique accommodation create a soulful, recognisable brand, direct-booking experiences and an audience they own.
Beautiful accommodation gets booked,
Memorable places get talked about.
Beautiful properties attract guests,
Beautiful stories bring them back.
Stop competing on price,
Start becoming unforgettable
Is your property ready for it’s next chapter?
‘a nice Airbnb’*sought out by name
buried in a sea of listings *many paths to be found by
ever-increasing platform comissions*more in your pocket
storytelling when guests arrive*storytelling before they book
a direct booking website*a direct booking experience
not knowing where to begin*my guidance at every step
This might be a little unusual...
[Photo of handwritten letter / notebook / coffee / countryside]
If you're reading this, you've probably received one of my handwritten letters.
Firstly... thank you.
I know this isn't the sort of thing that lands in your letterbox every day.
For the past ten years I've built a creative business designing websites, branding, marketing campaigns and digital experiences for people all over the world.
Now I'm moving to Ireland.
And rather than simply finding somewhere to live...
I'm hoping to find somewhere I can genuinely contribute.
The dream isn't free accommodation.
It's becoming part of a place for a season and leaving it more beautiful than I found it.
What does a Creative Residency actually look like?
[Illustration / timeline / notebook sketches]
For one dedicated day each week I'll work exclusively on your property.
Maybe that's...
redesigning your website
creating a beautiful booking experience
planning email marketing
photographing seasonal content
designing printed guest guides
creating social media templates
building artist residency branding
documenting the story of your property
launching retreats
improving guest journeys
creating welcome emails
designing signage
creating digital products
brainstorming entirely new ideas together
Or maybe something we haven't even thought of yet.
Every property is different.
That's the fun part.
Why me?
[Beautiful collage of portfolio work / screenshots / websites / branding]
I've spent over ten years helping people transform ideas into brands people fall in love with.
My work sits somewhere between strategy, storytelling, design and intuition.
I don't just make things prettier.
I help places become unforgettable.
Normally my work is commissioned as standalone projects.
This residency is a chance to go much deeper.
To spend months immersed in one place.
To notice the little things.
To slowly build something special together.
[Portfolio button]
Meet Baloo
[Large beautiful portrait of Baloo. Maybe lying amongst ferns or beside an old stone wall.]
Every residency comes with one extremely gentle Great Dane.
Baloo has spent years living on rural Australian properties alongside horses, wildlife and wide open paddocks.
He's calm.
Ridiculously affectionate.
And completely convinced he's a lap dog.
I know a dog won't suit every property.
That's perfectly okay.
For the right place...
I suspect he'll fit right in.
Who this might suit
[Collage of beautiful Irish properties]
Perhaps you're...
• A heritage estate
• Boutique accommodation
• An equestrian property
• A retreat centre
• A wedding venue
• A regenerative farm
• An artist residency
• A family with a beautiful property and big dreams for it
Maybe you've been saying...
"We really should update the website."
"We've been meaning to sort the guest emails."
"Our branding doesn't quite match the experience anymore."
"We've got so many ideas... we just never have time."
Maybe this is your sign.
While I'm in Ireland...
I'd love to meet you.
I'll be exploring Wicklow between:
21–27 August 2026
with additional flexibility around
1–3 September 2026
If you'd like to meet in person, let's make it happen.
Otherwise we'll chat over Zoom whenever suits.
There's absolutely no pressure.
Let's simply see whether it feels like a good fit.
Timeline
[Beautiful horizontal timeline]
2 July 2026
Expressions of Interest open
↓
21–27 August
Meet in Wicklow
↓
1–3 September
Additional meeting dates
↓
September–October
Follow-up conversations
↓
November
Ideal partnership confirmed
↓
Spring 2027
Creative Residency begins
Frequently Asked Questions
How much work is included?
One dedicated creative day each week throughout the residency.
What sort of accommodation are you hoping for?
I'm fairly open.
A cottage.
Converted stable.
Caretaker's cottage.
Apartment.
Cabin.
Something with enough space to live and work comfortably.
Will you still have your own business?
Absolutely.
I'll continue working with my international clients throughout the week.
Your property simply has one dedicated day reserved every week.
Can we collaborate for less than a year?
Possibly.
If everything else aligns beautifully, I'm open to chatting.
Do I have to complete the form?
Not at all.
If it's easier, simply email or call me.
Whatever works best for you.
Maybe this isn't for you...
...but perhaps while reading this, someone popped into your head.
A neighbour.
A friend.
Someone with a beautiful property.
Someone always saying,
"We really need help with our marketing."
I'd be incredibly grateful if you forwarded this page to them.
The very best opportunities usually begin with,
"I know someone you should meet..."
Expression of Interest
[Large warm section]
I'd love to hear about you.
Step One
Name
Phone
I'd like to:
○ Meet while you're in Wicklow
○ Arrange a video chat
○ Refer someone
○ Learn more first
Continue →
Step Two (optional)
Tell me about your property.
Website
Accommodation available
What creative projects have been sitting on your wish list?
Anything else you'd love me to know?
[Submit]
Footer
"I'd love to become part of your place for a season and leave it more beautiful than I found it... and, hopefully, leave you with a property that's even more unforgettable to the people who visit it."