Get Your Home Ready for Holiday Guests
If you want your home ready for guests by Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas, then this is the ideal time to connect with professional decorators to get on their schedules. In the meantime you can work towards completing the smaller projects below, or contact me to schedule a two-hour design consultation to get you headed in the right direction.
Color Updates
A new coat of paint is like a breath of fresh air to your artistic soul, and the right color can affect your mood day to day. I recently did a paint consultation for a client in Columbia, Md. With properly chosen colors, we instantly made the rooms more current. New color can also serve as a better background for the furniture and accessories you already have. And how great does it feel when a friend who hasn’t visited for a while walks in and says, “Wow!”
Seating for Guests
How many people are on your typical guest list? Do you have enough seating in the living spaces? You probably don’t want to have random chairs taking up space all year long, so there are a few creative ways to have extra seating that appears just when needed. For instance, small ottomans are an unobtrusive but handy way to increase conversational seating, and they can be tucked under sofa tables or coffee tables when not in use. Larger ottomans with storage space inside can also do double duty as casual seating as well.
Your dining table doesn’t have to be as formal when hosting larger groups. With parties and big family dinners, some time spent elbow to elbow is okay and you can squeeze in a couple more chairs. Look for complimentary dining chairs found at consignment stores or antique markets, like P.J’s Antiques in Ellicott City, Md. and Ryan’s Relics in Nottingham, Md. Add chairs from a similar time period or a certain style, or ones with coordinating upholstery.
Refreshing the Guest Room
There always seems to be that mad dash of washing sheets and towels just in time for your guests. Or do you run out and buy some new ones in the days before they arrive? My suggestion is to buy some new ones now, wash them and then leave them in the guest room, not with your other linens. Place them in a drawer that you’ve specifically set aside for guests. You can pull out the towels and linens and instantly have space for their clothes.
Put It in Motion
Before you begin, think about which project (or projects) will bring you the most joy. Then, determine your budget. I can help you create a realistic budget for “good-better-best” options and help to coordinate all the pieces coming together at the right time. Holiday entertaining is a powerful motivator for getting these type of projects completed … but remember that a house that brings you bliss is something to celebrate any time of year.
Contact me to get started now!