Mary Andrews 1/23/26 Mary Andrews 1/23/26

The Essentials: Guest Room

How to Create a Welcoming and Comfortable Guest Room
Thoughtful Touches for Timeless Hospitality

There’s something undeniably charming about a well-appointed guest room—a space that feels both refined and restful, offering your visitors a true sense of home away from home. Whether you’re hosting family for the holidays or friends for a long weekend, here are the essentials (and extras) to make your guest room feel warm, polished, and perfectly put together.

1. Crisp, Inviting Bedding

Start with fresh, high-quality linens in classic white or soft neutrals. Layer a duvet, a light quilt, and extra blankets at the foot of the bed for comfort in any season. A mix of down and down-alternative pillows ensures every guest sleeps well.

Tip: Ironing pillowcases and the top sheet adds a tailored touch.

2. Thoughtful Bedside Setup

Include a small bedside table or chest with a lamp, a carafe of water or bottled water, a notepad and pen, and a phone charger. A small dish for jewelry or watches is also a thoughtful inclusion.

Classic accent: A monogrammed linen handkerchief or coaster.

3. Fresh Towels and Toiletries

Provide a stack of clean, fluffy towels and a small set of essentials—think: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, a toothbrush, and even a razor. Present them in a basket or tray for hotel-like elegance.

Elevated detail: Wrap towels in grosgrain ribbon or place a lavender sachet nearby.

4. Ample Storage Space

Clear a few drawers and provide some empty hangers in the closet. Even a simple luggage rack or bench gives guests a place to organize their things neatly.

5. Soft Lighting Options

Avoid harsh overhead lighting. Instead, offer ambient light from a bedside lamp, a reading sconce, or even a small candle (real or flameless). Dimmer switches are a bonus if you’re doing electrical updates.

6. A Mirror and Hooks

A full-length mirror is both practical and appreciated. A few wall hooks or a valet stand add convenience without clutter.

7. A Local Welcome

Add a personal touch by leaving a handwritten welcome note, a local guide or favorite coffee shop list, and a small treat—like seasonal fruit, homemade cookies, or local chocolates.

8. Books and Magazines

Place a few classic novels, current magazines, or a beautiful coffee table book on the nightstand or dresser. Choose topics with broad appeal—interiors, travel, or classic literature.

9. A Touch of Greenery

Fresh flowers or a small plant breathe life into the room. Opt for low-maintenance greenery or a petite arrangement in a glass or ceramic bud vase.

10. A Quiet Retreat

Ensure the room is peaceful—squeaky doors oiled, windows that close securely, and a fan or white noise machine available. A small basket with earplugs and an eye mask is a lovely bonus.

Final Thought:
The key to a truly welcoming guest room lies in anticipating needs with grace and simplicity. With classic textures, calming colors, and thoughtful details, your guest space will exude quiet luxury—and make each visitor feel genuinely cared for.

Mary Andrews 9/30/25 Mary Andrews 9/30/25

Hosting: Play Dates

Since my children were very young, we have been hosting and attending play dates. Sometimes, we host the whole family — the adults spend time connecting with the parents and building our little village, while the children build social skills, explore cooperative play, and burn off some energy. Other times, particularly as my children have gotten a bit older, we invite a friend to play and let his or her parents make use of their day in other ways.

Hosting a play date doesn’t need to be overwhelming — you don’t need special toys or even a designated area for children to find their own fun — but a little planning goes a long way. Here's my simple guide to hosting a fun play date for young children.

Know Your Guests

Before you set a date, consider:

Ages and number of children: Younger kids may need more hands-on supervision. I find smaller groups (2–4 kids) is ideal for smoother interactions.
Personalities and preferences: A shy child might do better with one-on-one play, while social butterflies might thrive in a small group.
Allergies or special needs: Always check with parents ahead of time to ensure you have the right snacks on hand and medications, as needed.

Pick the Right Time

Mid-morning (9 - 11 am) or early afternoon (1 - 3 pm) usually works well for most toddlers and preschoolers who may still be navigating nap times. Older kids can approach playdates with more flexibility. Two hours is the sweet spot — young kids can get overstimulated or overtired if it goes on too long. (When scheduling, it’s also a great idea to share both a start and finish time so everyone is on the same page.)

Plan Age-Appropriate Activities

Having a few ideas in your back pocket will keep the fun going. Some of our favorites include:

Creative: We favor the not-too-messy classics like crayons, Play-Doh, bead crafts, Magna-Tiles and Legos.
Imaginative: Their are endless ways to combine items from the dress-up closet (some of our favorites below) and mini kitchen (even just a basket of pretend food will do!) to create playful scenes. The children often add in animals, trains and trucks to their stories.
Active: If you don’t have a backyard swing set, try setting up a mini obstacle course or throw on some fun music for a dance party. We have made consistent use of our bounce house for years and in warmer months, a baby pool and sprinkler go a long way — even for the “big kids.”
Quiet: Books, puzzles, and a Tonie Box are great options for kids who need a break.

Extra credit: avoid anything too competitive or that requires taking long turns.

UPON ARRIVAL

When guests arrive, I like to remind the children of my name (although “William’s Mom” works, too) and that I am available if they need help.

I find it helps to prompt the children with a few ideas, i.e. “Would you like to show Emma the mud kitchen or your dress up closet?” This is also a good time to remind your own children of areas that may be off-limits, i.e. “We aren’t going to play upstairs today since brother is napping.”

Keep Snacks Simple

Snacks are a highlight for most kids—but safety comes first. Always ask about food allergies in advance and inform other parents if snacks will be provided. I like to have an array of self-serve options out and ready-to-grab on the kitchen counter or back porch. We typically include a few of the following:

fruit, like berries, watermelon, or apples;
cucumber slices, baby carrots or snap peas with hummus or ranch dip;
mini sandwiches or chips and salsa;
cubed cheddar cheese and sliced turkey or salami.

Bonus: keep paper plates and cups on hand — it makes cleanup easy and you can mark each child’s cup (even plates!) with their name so they don’t get mixed up.

Target | Rainbow Plates
*pack of ten, $2*

Prepare for the Unexpected

Even with the best planning, accidents can happen. A few tips to resolve issues quickly:

Have wipes, tissues, and a basic first-aid kit on-hand.
Be ready for minor meltdowns—sometimes a quiet cuddle or a change of activity is all that’s needed.
It’s okay if things don’t go perfectly—flexibility is key!

Wrap It Up Gracefully

About 10–15 minutes before the end, give a gentle heads-up to the children that the play date is winding down and suggest each child choose one last toy or game. You might even offer a small take-home item, like a sticker, coloring page or snack.

Pick a date, text your mom friends, and get ready to make some happy memories!