Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style

</a>I remember being a very young adult and watching an episode of the always-chic <em>Everyday Elegance with Colin Cowie, </em>a show that explored ways to infuse your lifestyle with that extra special something… It was the hospitality episode, and it covered everything from guest room design to how to be a good host. And I was hooked. Sure, I didn’t even have a guest room, but it was clear to me that the little things mattered. A vase of flowers by the bed. A friendly note. A special beverage to welcome your company. <em>[from Lonny]</em></p><br/><img alt="the hospitable home Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="748" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/the-hospitable-home.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>The hospitable home</p><br/><p>Whether you live in a mansion or a studio apartment, chances are you will have a friend or relative come and stay with you from time to time. You may offer them their own suite or you may offer them your couch, but the same idea applies: Let them know you’re glad to have them, and spoil them a little. Yes, spoil them! Today we show you how…</p><br/><h3>A Special Arrival</h3><br/><p>From the moment guests enter your home, make it clear that their presence means the world to you. OK, so you may not be thrilled that Aunt Edna will be with you for 5 days and 4 nights, but now is the time to set the tone for her stay. Smile, and give your most sincere open-armed “hello.” If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can tackle this Front Step Greeting DIY, which will personalize the entryway of your home. Hint: Stencils are involved… check out all the details at Wind and Willow at Home:</p><br/><img alt="diy entryway project Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="399" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/diy-entryway-project.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>DIY entryway project</p><br/><p>As Colin Cowie reminds us, have some special beverages on hand. Freshly steeped tea or a delicious juice will do wonders. So will some lemon- and mint-infused water! You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make things elegant. <em>[from OliveAndCocoa.com via Colin Cowie Weddings]</em></p><br/><img alt="refreshments to welcome guests Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="503" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/refreshments-to-welcome-guests.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Refreshments to welcome guests</p><br/><p>If you will be enjoying a meal with your guests when they arrive, make things simple by setting up a couple of serving stations. Set out drinks on one table and food on another. Guests can fix their refreshments, and they’ll know where to return for another bite if they need to get settled in between nibbles. <em>[from Patrick J. Baglino, Jr. Interior Design]</em></p><br/><img alt="buffet pieces in the dining room Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="387" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/buffet-pieces-in-the-dining-room.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Buffet pieces in the dining room</p><br/><p>A well-stocked bar cart is a great way to set a hospitable standard. Make sure there are clean glasses ready to go, and use this space as a place to show a little bit of your style as well! <em>[from Old Brand New via Houzz]</em></p><br/><img alt="vintage bar cart Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="448" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/vintage-bar-cart.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Vintage bar cart</p><br/><p>In fact, you can even keep some beverage staples in this space, including a few bottles of sparkling water. It’s always nice to have something festive and nonalcoholic for company that chooses not to drink the strong stuff. Let guests know that they’re welcome to revisit the cart when they’re parched during their visit. A beautiful flower in a vase dresses up this space and shows your company that you’ve made things special for them! <em>[from Lonny]</em></p><br/><img alt="special touches on a brass bar cart Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="400" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/special-touches-on-a-brass-bar-cart.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Special touches on a brass bar cart</p><br/><p>No bar cart? No problem! A lacquered tray filled with bar essentials gets the job done! Place it on an accessible table and show guests where they can go for drinks as they arrive. A beautiful piece of artwork and a bowl of fresh fruit are lovely accents for this beverage-filled area. <em>[from Lonny]</em></p><br/><img alt="bar essentials on a lacquered tray Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="805" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/bar-essentials-on-a-lacquered-tray.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Bar essentials on a lacquered tray</p><br/><h3>The Guest Room</h3><br/><p>The guest room. It will be your company’s home away from home. And let’s not forget that for many folks, the guest room is actually a “guest couch,” which I can relate to since I lived in a studio apartment for 6 years. Actually, I often took the couch and gave guests my bed. Any way you spin it, make sure this space has a few special touches. A reading lamp, a vase of flowers on a nearby table, and a great magazine or book will get you started… <em>[from Brennan + Company Architects]</em></p><br/><img alt="creature comforts in a sleeping space Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="400" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/creature-comforts-in-a-sleeping-space.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Creature comforts in a sleeping space</p><br/><p>If your guest room sleeps two, consider putting lamps on either side of the bed so everyone can benefit from the reading light before sleepy time… <em>[from Beckwith Interiors]</em></p><br/><img alt="reading lamps on each side of the bed Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="449" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/reading-lamps-on-each-side-of-the-bed.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Reading lamps on each side of the bed</p><br/><p>And speaking of the bed… There’s nothing more inviting than crisp, refreshing linens and an assortment of fluffy pillows. An extra blanket is also nice for those chilly evenings. Your guest bed should make company want to dive in and get the best night’s sleep they’ve had in weeks. After all, the better they sleep, they better you sleep while they stay with you! <em>[from Atmosphere Interior Design]</em></p><br/><img alt="comfy pillows in a modern bedroom Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="375" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/comfy-pillows-in-a-modern-bedroom.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Comfy pillows in a modern bedroom</p><br/><p>Does your guest room have a couple of twin beds? Consider making this space extra special by infusing it with elegant matching details. This next space includes black and white linens and a pair of rope-themed pendant lights. Blogger Cristina Cleveland shows you how to get this look at home at Camille Styles. <em>[by Sarah Dorio for Lonny]</em></p><br/><img alt="special flourishes in a guest room Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="900" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/special-flourishes-in-a-guest-room.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Special flourishes in a guest room</p><br/><p>In fact, adding symmetry to your space is a great way to create a sense of serenity! Matching bedside tables with lamps, dual sets of pillows, and two interesting pictures hanging over the bed get the job done in the lovely space below. <em>[from Studio D]</em></p><br/><img alt="pairs of decorative items in a guest room Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="449" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/pairs-of-decorative-items-in-a-guest-room.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Pairs of decorative items in a guest room</p><br/><p>If your guests don’t bring a laptop with them, give them a space where they can stay connected. If possible, set a laptop on a table in the guest room, or at the very least, if you’re comfortable, show them your home office and make it clear that they are welcome to use your desk chair any time! <em>[from Nicole Lanteri On My Agenda]</em></p><br/><img alt="handy laptop for guests Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="389" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/handy-laptop-for-guests.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Handy laptop for guests</p><br/><p>Included in the “guest room” umbrella is the guest bath. Even if guests are sharing the bathroom with you, make this space feel as special as their sleeping quarters. As Colin Cowie once again reminds us, a beautiful orchid and a few rolled towels will add luxury to the powder room. In fact, you may want to keep these details once guests leave! <em>[from Getty Images for Colin Cowie Weddings] </em></p><br/><img alt="luxurious bathroom flourishes Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="493" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/luxurious-bathroom-flourishes.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="588" /><br/><p>Luxurious bathroom flourishes</p><br/><p>Potted greenery, a canopy-style shower curtain and a little lamp for a warm glow are a few other ways to add elegant, comforting details to the guest bath, as shown below… <em>[from Rosewood Custom Builders]</em></p><br/><img alt="special touches in a guest bath Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="400" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/special-touches-in-a-guest-bath.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Special touches in a guest bath</p><br/><h3>The Great Outdoors</h3><br/><p>If it’s beautiful weather during the visit, chances are you and your company will be spending a lot of time outside. In fact, at my last place, I could always tell when the neighbors had company, because they practically lived outside with their guests. And I was always invited over to take part in the fun! Make sure you have an inviting outdoor space… <em>[from Building Lab]</em></p><br/><img alt="outdoor seating to accommodate guests Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="397" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/outdoor-seating-to-accommodate-guests.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Outdoor seating to accommodate guests</p><br/><p>Now is a great time to bring out those comfy pillows and throws! Below we see the Catalina Sofa with Casters from Crate & Barrel:</p><br/><img alt="outdoor seating from crate barrel Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="600" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/outdoor-seating-from-crate-barrel.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Outdoor seating from Crate & Barrel</p><br/><p>Whether you have fancy chairs or folding chairs, buy or borrow what you need to make sure that everyone has a seat. Of course, company is a great excuse to purchase that nice outdoor seating you’ve always wanted, like the Vista Adirondack Chair from Crate & Barrel:</p><br/><img alt="row of adirondack chairs Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " height="822" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/row-of-adirondack-chairs.jpg" title="Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style interior design 2 " width="600" /><br/><p>Row of Adirondack chairs</p><br/><p>Most importantly, enjoy your time with your guests. It’s not about making everything perfect. It’s about making your company feel welcome. Do you have any tips for hosting guests? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below…</p><br/><p>You’;re reading Hospitality 101: How to Welcome Your Guests in Style,<!-- Social Buttons Generated by Digg Digg plugin v5.3.6,<br/> Author : Buffer, Inc<br/> Website : http://bufferapp.com/diggdigg --><br/>

Hospitality 101: How To Welcome Your Guests In Style

I remember being a very young adult and watching an episode of the always-chic  Everyday Elegance with Colin Cowie,  a show that explored wa...

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