Wouldn't you rather stay in a desert-inspired, rainbow-painted house in Joshua Tree than at some chain motel? Or in a functioning windmill in Portugal rather than a chintzy bed and breakfast? Airbnb commissioned five artists to look at 50 of their most exciting, beautiful and offbeat listings and make birdhouses inspired by those real houses for the thousands of birds that migrate to New Orleans's Audubon Park every year.

The whole process was captured by director Alma Har'el, director of 2011 Tribeca Film Festival Best Documentary winner, Bombay Beach, whose filmmaking style complements the lavish, creative interiors. As much as you like the comforts of home while you're off exploring the world, birds appreciate a warm place to take cover as they're making their migratory rounds.

Along with open communication, cleanliness (of course), and those little welcoming touches that make people feel at home (an informative welcome book or packet can really make all the difference in someone's vacation), a creative home that reflects both the location and the full-time inhabitant is one of the most exciting things about finding yourself in a home away from home. To find your next vacation nest, head to Airbnb.

Maud Deitch is a Senior Content Producer at Studio@Gawker. She has written for SPIN, The FADER, MTV.com and others.

This post is a sponsored collaboration between Airbnb and Studio@Gawker