FURNISHINGS : Preparation Can Take the Guestwork Out of Being a Good Host
When friends and family come calling, your prior attention to detail can take the worry out of entertaining. To ensure guests will enjoy their stay, even before they step over the threshold, ask yourself a simple question: “Would I enjoy being a guest in my own home?”
The guest room is one of the most important parts of making special company feel welcome, yet it is often the most ignored. What most visitors often encounter is the all-too-familiar spare room with various odds and ends stashed in corners and closets.
It’s not difficult to create a guest room that is warm and welcoming. The quality of the bed is key. A bed with a double or queen-size mattress of medium firmness is ideal. Cover the mattress with a fitted, quilted cotton pad to add featherbed-like softness.
Next, consider the quality of the sheets. Pure cotton sheets with a thread count of 200 to 320 are a luxury most people overlook even in their own homes. European cottons are softer because they are produced without chemicals. The extra advantage of this investment is that wear enhances the texture of the material. If properly cared for, they outlast other sheets by many years.
Another choice is flannel sheets. The fibers of this cloth make them warm in winter and cool during the summer. Both cotton and flannel are available in myriad colors and patterns.
Quality linens may need a little extra care, but their richness and luxury are what dreams are made of. Bedding and bed linens that can be washed or easily cared for should be chosen. Keeping fine linens free of soil, dust, bacteria, and airborne pollutants will greatly reduce their deterioration.
In caring for fabrics in the washing machine, allow the tub to fill with cold or lukewarm water first, then add a linen wash or mild detergent such as Ivory and allow it to dissolve completely. If the material is colored, test for colorfastness. Wash on a gentle cycle.
When washing linens by hand, lay a clean white towel across the bottom and over the sides of a tub. This will aid in lifting heavy, wet linens after their final rinse.
Difficult spots and stains can be removed by making a paste of baking soda and water and applying it to the soiled area prior to washing.
Ideally, bed linens should be dried on a line in the open air for a clean, fresh smell and to protect against the excess wear that can result from home dryers. Imagine guests poking their noses into the crisp, clean fragrance of linens dried in the sun at the end of a long day.
A dual-controlled electric blanket or mattress pad is a welcome touch, accompanied by an extra blanket placed at the foot of the bed. Or this might be the perfect time for an excuse to buy one of those luxurious down comforters. Make certain the weight of the comforter is appropriate to the mildness or intensity of our mild winter weather.
Provide two pillows for each guest. To show your concern for individual preferences, one should be firm, the other fluffy and soft. Hypo-allergenic pillows will be appreciated by those who experience allergy problems. Iron the pillow cases to give your visitors a real touch of luxury.
A new bedspread can add life to an otherwise dull bedroom. If you have the funds, splurge. Otherwise, wait for sales and get exactly what you want. Keep in mind that you want your guests to be comfortable and feel at home. Buy a spread that is not just for admiring but that can be sat and rested upon.
Another important element of this special room is the dresser with enough drawers to put away undergarments, pajamas, folded shirts and sweaters. Cover the bottom of each drawer with a liner to keep delicate items from getting snagged.
The top drawer of the dresser can be a gold mine to someone away from the comforts of home. Fill the drawer with items you would find indispensable.
To ensure added comfort, place a night stand at each bedside. The tables need to be a comfortable height, sturdy and large enough to be functional. An inexpensive choice is heavy cardboard night tables that can be found in mail-order catalogues and assembled in a short time. Cover the tables with floor-length skirts. Add lamps and an alarm clock or clock radio.
Many people enjoy a light snack before bedtime. Include a bowl of fresh fruit and replenish it each day. Also, make available several current magazines, a book of short stories or a guide on the sights and history of nearby areas.
A luggage rack is useful for guests’ belongings. Check second-hand stores for an old wooden rack and paint it to fit the mood of the room. Folding racks can also be ordered from catalogues. They are easily stored when guests aren’t visiting.
The smallest of bedrooms can accommodate at least one chair. Hunt for an old one at neighborhood garage sales or thrift shops. Give it a new look by reupholstering or outfitting it with slipcovers. If there is room, add a small coffee table for guests to linger over their coffee in the morning.
Check the bedroom closet for ample space. Refrain from just pushing extra clothing and stored items to one side. An empty and fully usable wardrobe conveys a message to guest that they are not putting you out. Supply hangers and, if you can, a full-length mirror for the back of the bedroom door.
Freshen the soap in the guest bathroom and stock up on an extra tube of toothpaste and a couple of inexpensive toothbrushes for those who forget their own. Stock the medicine cabinet with thoughtful items--aspirin, antacid, a box of adhesive bandages, an antiseptic ointment, mouthwash, floss, talcum powder and a shower cap.
To make it possible for guests to tidy up after themselves, keep a sponge and bathroom cleanser beneath the sink. Sufficient bath towels, washcloths and bathmats should also be hand, as well as a hamper for wet towels.
During their stay, show special guests how much you treasure their company. You might serve your favorite aunt her special blend of tea or provide organic soap or lotion for the friend who advocates natural products.
For the much-admired in-law who is an avid stitcher, buy the current needlework magazine. A library book of fly fishing could brighten your uncle’s visit.
Not only will some of these methods make your guests’ stay more memorable, it will be a joy to create.
Spend a night in the guest room yourself. Then, when you ask yourself whether you’d like to be a guest in your own home, the answer will be an undeniable “yes.”