A Guest Retreat

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The ornament of one's house is the friends who grace it." Whether the friends who grace your home as overnight guests are a beloved set of grandparents, an old college roommate, or a friendly out-of-town business associate, it's likely that you want to be able o provide them with a wonderful guest room getaway.  Creating a welcoming retreat which will make your guests feel comfortable, relaxed and pampered goes a long way towards ensuring that their visit will be enjoyable for both of you.

How you decorate and appoint your guest room is a very personal choice.  It can be an enjoyable undertaking and a confusing experience at the same time.  The best way to start, as with any decorating project, is to define the style that you want to use and the overall feeling that you wish to evoke in the room.

If you find yourself having difficulty getting started, consider things that make you feel relaxed and nurtured.  Look through wall covering books, magazines, and fabric swatches for inspiration and color direction.  Think about your favorite rooms, either in your own home or someone else's, and figure out what it is about those rooms that appeals to you.
Decorating a guest room presents the perfect opportunity to do something that is a little more unique, thematic or whimsical than what you are inclined to do in the rooms that are used on a daily basis.  It's a chance to express your passions and share the things that bring you joy.

Do you have a favorite tropical vacation destination? Bring a bit of that home with you, by creating the look and feel of that paradise in your guest room.  The resort look has found its way into homes not only along the coastlines, but inland as well.  Popular for its relaxed style and a touch of British Colonial formality, rooms in this genre appeal to visitors.  Bamboo furniture and palm frond motifs found on accessories and fabrics exemplify the look.  Soft sage greens mix with neutral beiges, and a sprinkling of clear reds, blues, corals and earthy browns tie together a tropical color scheme.  Resort-style rooms are light on accessories and rely on one or two strong pieces of art to complete the look.  Rich pillow trims and small wicker pieces can add a touch of sophistication.

Guest rooms are also the perfect place for showcasing family history and heritage.  Choosing a historical theme not only inspires a gathering of heirlooms and photographs, it also invites guests to learn more about you and your family.  This about this: What collections have family members accrued?  Are there garments that hold special meaning, such as a great-grandmother's wedding gown or a favorite uncle's military uniform?  Think about displaying these in the guest room, then add a treasured chair or table along with photographs which can tell the story of your family's culture or adventures.

Would you prefer to treat your guests to a step back in time and across the ocean, by creating an Old World retreat?  The look of a European getaway can be achieved with a dramatic bed canopy, tassels, faux-finish wallpaper, and a bold Jacobean print accented with at least five different complimentary prints on the bedding, pillows and window treatments.  Mount a dramatic architectural element such as a fountain, plaster relief, or a piece of decorative iron on the predominant wall for maximum impact and a real touch of Old World class.

Whatever decorating style you decide upon, it is paramount to keep in mind the need to convey a welcoming feeling, comfortable accommodations and amenities that will make your guests know you are glad to have them in your home.