home. the guest room, first of a series
Jun 17th, 2009 by christina
I, like many of you, have a passion for the home. I have a passion for hospitality and guest comfort, for beautiful and edifying spaces, for pride in history and heritage, for tangible peace and the presence of God. I was greatly influenced by my mother, and our dear friend Lois Wilson, who were additionally influenced by Edith Shaeffer and her book Hidden Art. Come stop by our family room and check out my mom’s original copy from 1972.
I recently asked my friend LeAnna to come and take some pictures of our new home. I want to share the wonderful snapshots with you, room by room.
First the guest room. I have an incredible passion for the guest room, and I know it is a true luxury to have one. I was thrilled when the extra room in this new house was considerably larger than our previous home. I am now able to fit a reading nook, as well as a desk/vanity for writing and primping. I want our guests to feel like the entire room is fully theirs, and take advantage of everything in it. I really put effort into being as thoughtful as possible as to what a guest might want, or need. Shirt/pants hangers, shelving in the closet, luggage rack, extra blankets, different pillows, pitcher of water and drinking glass, kleenex, trash can, mirror, lint roller, cozy throws, light reading materials, Scripture, task lighting, mints, clock, stationery and pens, and little surprises to delight the “snoopers.” I am currently lacking an iron and ironing board and an alarm clock, but those things are coming. I also take special delight in the finishing touches like color-coordinating the sheets, etc. It’s those special details that seem to take it from “guest room” to “wait, am I at a B&B?” I like that. ::grin::
You’ve seen to every detail, down to even those exquisite sheets! I love the black/white against the red wood. What do you have framed in there? Old family photos? The pillows on the bed and chair are lovely…
thanks! The bedroom suite is a Baumgardner heirloom and was actually mine as a girl. I love it. The framed pictures are special as well: a charcoal drawing of one of my favorite paintings (Angel with lute) done by one of my favorite friends Alicia, two old pictures of my dad from the 1950s (I think) with two of his prizewinning steer, and our wedding invitation. They are all special and all happened to be black/white/cream/gold, so they were in! I have a little set of portraits of my dad’s grandparents as well, but I’m in the process of fixing the frame. Then those will join the others.
This is SO inspiring to me–right now our “guest room” is just a futon in a room with bare walls! I loved your guest room in Denver, and I want to emulate your sense of purpose and beauty in our spare room eventually!
Well I’m sure your guests don’t mind one bit since you have a brand new adorable baby to entice them!
I loved the room in Denver too – it was decorated with all “my things” – all my little treasures in happy yellows and pinks and greens and aquas! We have one more bedroom here than we did in Denver, so now I have my own “office” space! horay! So those things/that color scheme is in my space now. Pics from that room to follow…..stay tuned!
I love this room! It reminds me of your parent’s home in Los Alamos. I remember rummaging through the guest room closet to find a dress to borrow for homecoming or prom or something like that.
You have done a wonderful job of making a welcoming place for your guests.
I love staying in your guest room. You can see the love and thoughtfulness you have poured into it. Wish you were here to help me decorate my new place.