Be Our Guest

Spring brings so many lovely things: warmer weather, birds in the trees, flowers in the garden, and friends from afar who know that this is the perfect time for a visit. In addition to creating the ideal itinerary to show off our favorite local spots (need help creating one for your city? We’ve got you covered!), we love any opportunity to reevaluate our guest rooms to make sure the place we’ve set aside for visitors is as comfortable and welcoming as possible. Whether you look at it as an exercise in maximizing space or a chance to experiment with your taste, you have to admit there’s just something so satisfying about creating the perfect enclave for a friend.

When it comes to a guest room (or any room, for that matter), you cannot go wrong with neutrals. Far from feeling stark or sterile, neutrals create a calming palette anyone can appreciate. Who wouldn’t feel spoiled in the top room by Triangle Interiors? Between the luxurious linens and the fabulous yet functional leather and lucite bench we might never leave. The neutral nook by Wiseman and Gale is equally inviting; we’d love to cozy up under the camel throw. Tyson Geary’s room (bottom, right) is full of wonderful touches. The gray gingham accent pillows and blanket add a homey touch without sparing sophistication, and the stool is both a quaint and thoughtful addition.

A salon grouping of framed antique art adds warmth and interest without straying too far from the neutral vibe, and offers guests an opportunity to play guess-the-ancestor (no need to tell them you’re not related). As shown in the room by Nest & Cot (top, right, captured by TSG: Houston photographer Megan Thompson Lovoi), a few simple elements thoughtfully placed on a dresser can go a long way in saying “welcome to your home away from home.” And a single pale pink bloom is a sweet addition to the neutral beauty designed by Sarah Hamlin Hastings Interiors that will make any guest feel extra special.

A guest room is the perfect place to experiment with wallpaper – there’s something about it that is just so inviting. We love the cheery pink and orange print in MMR Interiors’s room. Nelson Barnum’s plaid guest quarters are anything but stodgy. And the paisley print in the room featured below, right is perfectly complemented by crisp monogrammed pillows by Leontine Linens.

Lavender isn’t just pretty, it goes with everything. We love the floral wall covering paired with a simple white sconce in the room by Sandra Morgan Interiors. The pattern in the Suellen Gregory-designed room makes the space feel done while leaving the sleeping area free of added fuss.

Of course, a guest room doesn’t have to be an actual room. Bright and cheery nooks can easily function as places for guests to rest. While not queen-sized, Jeannette Whitson of Garden Variety’s trundle daybed is fit for a queen. Orrick and Company’s little sleeping space, complete with footed green glass side table and trusty stuffed companion, is a cozy place to rest your head. And who wouldn’t be thrilled to sleep in a pool house as utterly charming as Todd Richesin Interiors’s version? We’d definitely stay an extra night.

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