Between our recent B&B stay in Maine & my general love of hotels, I’m excited to get the carriage house set up as a little B&B/guest house. I love the idea of making the perfect space for someone to completely relax in. This timely post from Stay in the Lines is right on target – fluffy towels, crisp sheets, great coffee. Although we’re 3 hours from the coast, I keep thinking of whitewashed seaside cottages – beams and plaster!
What basics do you think are necessary to make a great guest room?
Jotter // Tea Kettle // Toothbrushes // Cafe Au Lait Bowl // Swedish Sea Salt Soap // Hand Towel // Candle // Ice Bucket
Bedroom: Living Etc // Living Room: World of Interiors
Beyond what you said: assorted teas (not necessarily luxury, but not restricted to Lipton yellow or to blackberry-passion-mint), clean-smelling extra blankets, a couple hangers, unlimited hot water…
Lovely extras: a bench or a little stand to conveniently store an open suitcase, fresh flowers, a welcome note, a few of the owner’s favorite local addresses…?
what Cleo said! I think the thing with a good guest room is too leave enough space/room for people’s stuff, without it looking too bare without their stuff. I personally like light, airy spaces when I’m on holiday, it’s the most relaxing to me. There are already so many ‘new’ impressions when you are on holiday and checking out a new part of the world, that it feels good to have a calm and relaxed space to sleep in. I really like this white/bare wood/grey theme you have going on. It’ll be a great space!
I would love to stay in a guest room like this. I love the journal you picked out, it’s such a great idea to give you guests something to use while they are visiting, then take home after the trip. Glad you liked my post too
Stay in the Lines
Looks great! I like the looks of that soap.
Definitely hooks to hang things: clothes that wrap, scarfs, jewelry etc–a little louche-y get away? Small dishes on the surfaces to put all your little stuff in that has a place at home (glasses, hair ties, rings, glasses)–kind of like the dish your jewelry was put in.
I like to bring nail polish while camping, lol. You know–things to do while you’re lounging around a fire for 48 hours straight. A selection of books and magazines. Nothing too thin paper-wise, to encourage reading in the bathtub. Wait, is there a bathtub? A door mat. Clogs for slippers.
There was something else…whoa I kind of got carried away there. I’ve obviously thought of this, haha!
Kitchens in the rental cottages I’ve stayed in are always so depressing, with leftover, crappy dishes and pots, silverware, knives & servingware, etc. A nicely stocked kitchen is the always the most welcoming thing to me, and I bet you can find a lot of great stuff now during garage sale season!
small after travel snacks like nuts. spare sets of slippers. very white sheets and towels! i am a weirdo and i love my eye mask for naps when i travel. agreed about hooks, lots of easy to reach things. when am i bringing you more armenian burning papers and popping by?
Your guest house is going to be out of this world! Just saw your pictures of the carriage house interior. It has so much potential. After a lot of work. Don’t the best things, though? I can’t wait to see what you do with it, your taste is impeccable.