Guest Room, Part II: Guest Baskets

We have enjoyed numerous visitors this summer, and I was inspired to add a personal touch in our guest rooms for friends and family to enjoy. The idea came about after a guest mentioned that she missed her robe, which she had left at home. I was perplexed that she never noticed the guest robes hanging in my guest room closet.

I decided I needed to leave a note for new visitors, letting them know about the supplies we have for them, since I don't always remember to tell them. That idea turned into a basket filled with:

• A personal welcome note
• A typed/saved info sheet which includes:
• where to find towels, toiletries, robes, a hair dryer, sunscreen, fan, luggage rack, extra blankets and pillows
• how to adjust the room's temperature
• the address and password to our wireless network
• Bottled water
• Snacks
• Pre-stamped postcards
• A local map

So far, I've set the baskets out for our last few visitors, and they've been a huge hit. Here's how they look:

Nifty idea, right? Do you have any traditions for your guests?

4th of July (Exterior) 2011

As promised, here are some shots of our exterior, all decked out for the 4th of July. I hope you enjoyed a festive day, too!

4th of July (Interior) 2011

Happy almost-Independence Day! Here are some pics of our interior decorations. I made most of them; tips follow each picture. Are you ready for the holiday?

 

The Study decor is simply 2 large vases purchased from Michaels, with 3 large flags in each. For the center decoration, I found the 8x10 photo frames at the dollar store, placed a piece of scrapbook paper in each (blue background with white stars), then added the letters, which I had glittered red.

 

The centerpiece is made of styrofoam spheres, with red, white and blue silk rose petals hot-glued to them. I made the extra-tall hurricanes from glass candleholders glued to wooden candlesticks. The stars inside of them came from Hobby Lobby.

I filled glass apothecary jars with stars from Hobby Lobby, basket shreds, and spheres which I had spray painted red, white and blue.

 

This wooden star was originally a Christmas ornament, purchased after Christmas on clearance. I taped it off into 3 sections and painted each section with acrylic paint. Then I drilled a hole in the bottom, and inserted a dowel and wooden base that I had spray-painted black.

 

The word "FREEDOM" is made from 7 separate wooden letters from Michaels, to which I applied craft glue and then red, white, and blue glitter.

  

These stars were also originally Christmas decorations, purchased on clearance after Christmas had passed. I simply taped off the bases and then spray-painted individually for the 4th of July.

I have not decorated our exterior yet; the Las Vegas sun is too damaging to put decorations out in advance. I promise to post them soon!

Let me know what you think; I'd love to see what you did to make your home festive for the 4th!