As well as various decorative masonry elements, when the tech gets that far.

It seems like nothing cash flows unless I do a STR, and decorating an Airbnb alone eats up a large chunk of my cash.

We have seen highly decorated smaller homes book well.

That's even better from a lifestyle point of view because you can go to different properties every time, have a much bigger choice of properties and stay in properties that are much more luxurious than those you would be a co-owner in rather than be limited to the ones you own.Mind you, many people buy lifestyle properties overseas but that is because they want to stay regularly in their own house the decoration of which fits their taste and they feel at home, can leave their stuff there,...

For the painting, you can deduct it along with other furnishings and decorations that you've included in the STR to make it ready and available for tenants.

They are decorated in a very stylish manner. 

Change light fixtures, accent walls with pops of paint color / board baton wall or two, updated decor. 

There are places you can save money, but your furniture and decor look cheap and not screaming dream and fantasy.

And mail you send normally will not have that unique decoration attached, so you would also have to deal with that somehow.

You can change the decor, theme out the garage and bedrooms to attract guests.