Q&A with Mint House’s Head of Brand Jessica Berkin
New York-based tech hospitality start-up Mint House is pioneering a new type of stay, having recently raised $35 million in a Series B round of financing. Disrupting the boundaries between hotels and short term rentals, Mint House translates the upscale hotel experience into lodging for, what it describes as, “the new nomad”—some of the perks include apartments powered by smart technology, fully functional kitchens with optional grocery delivery services, ample office space with wireless charging, and designated work out spaces. With an emphasis on thoughtfully designed apartments, Mint House even provides guests with the opportunity to shop homeware items found within their rentals by simply scanning a QR code.
We sat down with Mint House’s Head of Brand, Jessica Berkin, to discuss everything from the start-up’s approach to interior design to the ways in which the new WFA (work from anywhere) model is bound to impact the short term rental industry and touch upon Mint House's plans for the future.
Fülhaus
Jessica Berkin
How would you best describe Mint House’s overarching interior design aesthetic? What kind of designs are your customers looking for?
Mint House's interior design foundations focus on a “fresh minimalism” approach. We lead with timeless core pieces, a neutral color palette, and thoughtful design moments that reflect the local culture. Our guests are looking for flexible spaces that can accommodate work, play or something in between so we are committed to providing calming and purposeful backdrops for whatever it is they need to accomplish. Our tech-enabled apartments boast full kitchens, designated workspaces, expansive living and dining areas, and calming sleeping quarters so guests can feel at home.
Fülhaus provided the furniture for one of Mint House’s properties in New Orleans. What style were you going for with the Fülhaus-selected pieces?
Furniture styles vary across our portfolio to ensure we authentically honor the market as well as the building’s characteristics, but our favorite core pieces, such as sofas, beds, and consoles, always remain consistent. Our New Orleans property is located in the city's burgeoning Warehouse District, which influenced our design process. The Fülhaus furniture selection is a mix of industrial and mid-century modern pieces, which complements the building's original exposed brick walls and concrete floors. The colors of our core pieces remain neutral to allow the artwork and decor to shine.
How do you anticipate the short term rental industry changing in light of companies shifting towards WFA (work from anywhere) models? How will this impact design?
We call our target audience "the new nomad" and design our spaces with them in mind— that means prioritizing multi-functional and well-designed workspaces with convenient wireless charging, and an overall "smart" aesthetic that inspires but doesn't overwhelm. We will continue to iterate on our design and overall guest experience as office culture continues to become more decentralized and people begin to work more from the road. For example, our Stock Your Stay program allows guests to pre-order groceries for their apartment and as that service develops, we plan to expand the offering to include more WFA items such as monitors and sit-to-stand accessories.
What key design elements can your guests always count on (e.g. a desk, a comfy mattress, wallpaper)?
We focus on keeping our core pieces, such as desks, consoles, and bed frames consistent. These are typically neutral, high-quality pieces that guests can count on and serve as the foundation for market-specific styling, art, and decor to authentically reflect each location. Our spaces are shoppable so guests can scan a QR code and shop the products and brands that we curate for each apartment, such as Casper mattresses and Fellow Stagg pour-over tea kettles.
Do you think design impacts revenue—if so, how?
Yes, we believe that design, and more broadly the brand, impacts revenue. Guests are more inclined to book and/or return to Mint House when they can depend on quality, consistency, and anticipatory service in inspired, well-designed environments.
What is Mint House most excited for in the future?
We are excited to continue to lean heavily into design and build smart spaces for our guests. We also look forward to fostering both existing and new partnerships with vendors who share our mission to innovate within the hospitality space.