When guests come to stay, you want them to feel immediately at home. And, you likely want to feel at ease and simply enjoy their company. A little planning ahead and a few simple touches can ensure everyone is comfortable. Here is our FORMula for giving your guests a warm welcome.
A Private Space to Rest
This might seem obvious but it’s hugely important for everyone to have their own space to retreat to at the end of the day. If you don’t have a dedicated guest room in your house there are a few ways to create a private space. If your kids have separate rooms, have them bunk together and put your guests in the room with the bigger bed. Make space in a drawer and in the closet, set out some spare hangers and make sure surface tops are clear of kid clutter. Or, create a private space in a common area (like a basement) by installing a simple tension road and curtains to section of a portion of the space for guests.
Personalized Welcome
Welcome your guests with some special little touches in their room. Think about the things you’re always hunting for when you’re travelling: WiFi password, hand sanitizer, spare phone charger, steamer, some light reading material, etc. And, to really go the extra mile, consider adding a few more personalized touches like a simple handwritten note and fresh flowers or greenery on the bedside table. The little things often have a huge impact in making guests feel really welcome.
Fresh Linen
This is a must. Ensure the sheets are freshly laundered and set out a few extra blankets and pillows. Lay fresh towels, including a face wash, hand towel and bath towels on the foot of the bed. And, stock a basket with some basic toiletry items that your guests may have forgotten including body lotion, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, and set that out with the towels. Lastly, make sure the bathroom is well-stocked with hand soap, toilet paper, a plunger and an empty trash can so guests don’t have to ask for these items.
Refreshments
In the guest room, set out a water carafe and a few glasses along with a small basket of snacks (think: dried fruit, chocolates, candies, mints, etc.) In the kitchen, create a little coffee station that is stocked with coffee (beans or pods), spoons and mugs so early risers can help themselves. Lay out some fresh bread, baked goods and a bowl of fruit for impromptu breakfasts and make sure the fridge is well-stocked with easy-to-grab snack items like yogurt and sliced meat and cheese for sandwiches.
Tour
Once guests have settled in, give them a quick tour of the house and review key things about the space. Let them know they can help themselves to items in the fridge and pantry, discuss timelines for meals and be sure to highlight any of the nuances of the systems in your house like the hot tub or a septic system. It’s also helpful to write down a few household instructions so your guests don’t have to memorize everything. Include things like alarm codes, remote control instruction and how the coffee machine works.
What are your top tips and tricks for creating a guest oasis? Let us know in the comments below.
Or, do you need help creating the perfect space for guests? Give us a call.
Weekends spent cozied in the mountains hitting the slopes are one of the greatest perks of winter. But hosting a group of people at your vacation home isn’t always the easiest – or most relaxing – time. That’s why we’ve put together a few tips and tricks to help make your ski weekend go smoothly.
Charcuterie for Apres
When it comes to feeding a crowd – big or small – you can never go wrong with a charcuterie board. The recipe for a charcuterie board varies but staples always include cheese, meats, crackers, olives, dips, pickles and a variety of nuts. Prep as much as you can beforehand and store everything in containers so all you need to do apres-ski is fill out a board.
Rustic and Comfortable Lodge
Having a cozy place to host guests doesn’t necessarily mean a fancy mega-mansion in the mountains. Focus on adding comfortable touches throughout your ski home by investing in quality linens, great bedding and luxe throws that invite guests to cozy up and unwind. Also, make sure there’s plenty of durable, comfortable seating that can withstand wear and tear.
Post-Ski Luxury
After a day spent on the slopes, tired skiers will be looking to unwind and kick-back. If you have a sauna or a hot tub, amp up the luxe factor with a few unexpected touches for your guests like a towel warmer for toasty towels post-soak, a bin of flip-flops for dodging across the deck and plenty of jugs of water laid out to keep everyone hydrated.
Fireplace
What’s a mountain home without a fireplace? It’s the perfect spot to gather for early morning coffee, apres drinks and games throughout the evening. If you’re lucky enough to have a wood-burning beauty, keep it stoked all evening long and have plenty of prepped firewood. Or invest in a gas one, which still adds the ambience and warmth of a fire but with a lot less maintenance.
Non-Ski Activities
You don’t want to exclude non-skiers from the winter fun. Second-hand skates, cross-country skis or snowshoes are relatively inexpensive and easy to come by and give non-skiers an easy afternoon activity to partake in outside. And post-ski, it’s a good idea to have a small collection of books (best sellers and classics, please) on-hand along with board games and decks of cards.
Need some help preparing your vacation home for a ski weekend? Give us a call.
No matter the time of year, there’s nothing quite like connecting with friends and loved ones at a festive fête. As a new holiday season approaches, here are a few simple steps to help you host the perfect party every time.
Choose a Theme
Your options for a theme are endless but choosing one will help guide your food, drinks and decor. Theme the party around a favourite country or region or have a little fun and choose a clever pop culture trend or film. You don’t have to go crazy with the theme either, holidays are themes in and of themselves, as are the seasons: think a midsummer night’s garden party or a fall harvest BBQ.
Set Your Menu
Play off your overall party theme when choosing your food but remember to keep things simple. You want to enjoy the night and not be constantly in the kitchen. Put out an array of platters and boards that you can prepare well ahead of time and then easily refill throughout the party. Opt for simple hor d'oeuvre-style snacks and make sure to have a variety of options to suit dietary restrictions.
Create Places for Gathering
The trick to getting your guests to mingle and chat is to create a space for them to do so by creating smaller conversation areas. Whether you’re inside or outside you can do this by arranging furniture together (think a set of chairs or a love seat and a chair) and laying out a smaller tablescape with snacks so your guests can graze and move around. Add some floor pillows and blankets to add an extra layer of comfort.
Layer Your Lighting
Lighting can have a huge impact on the overall vibe of a party. Leave off overhead lights and layer the lighting throughout the space. Turn on lamps, use dimmers if you have them and fill the space with an eclectic collection of candles. If you’re outside, string lights overhead always feel dreamy and outdoor citronella candles not only keep the bugs away but add an extra touch of whimsy.
Stock Your Bar Cart
Pick a signature cocktail to serve to your guests when they arrive; opt for one you can make ahead of time in a large pitcher to make serving a breeze. Set up a bar area and invite guests to help themselves. Keep wine on ice and set out some basic spirits with a variety of mixes and garnishes. And don’t forget the non-alcoholic drinks – beyond the obvious options, non-alcoholic spirits like Seedlip are becoming increasingly popular, as are alcohol-free cocktails like Wild Folk.
How do you put together the perfect party? Leave us a comment below.
Need some help preparing for your own party? Give us a call.
Sharing a meal with family and friends is a fun and special way to reconnect. All you need is a few key ingredients for a fun and stress-free evening. Here’s our formula to make hosting your dinner party a breeze.
Tablescape
Creating the perfect tablescape doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with your table linens, cloth is a must and a neutral linen fabric always looks chic and effortless. When it comes to the centrepiece, in-season greenery and flowers add life and colour to a table. Try creating one larger arrangement for the middle and then adding smaller vases of greenery around it. Scatter some candles into the mix for easy mood lighting and coziness. Just be sure to keep your centrepieces low so your guests can see each other over the table.
Perfect Basics
A good set of dinnerware goes a long way. If you have a jumble of mismatched or chipped dishes, it might be time for an upgrade. You don’t have to blow the budget to get a quality set, there are plenty of options to suit a variety of styles and budgets. Ceramic is popping up everywhere at more affordable price points and most home stores stock a quality porcelain set. White is always classic and look for a set with clean lines and simple designs. All you need are the basics: dinner plates, side plates and bowls.
Playlist
Music really helps set the tone at a dinner party. Think about it as complimentary background noise that your guests can still have conversations over. It’s best to prepare playlists ahead of time so you can put it on and forget it. When creating a playlist, opt for a combination of new music and classic favourites. Put together multiple playlists that will work at different times throughout the night: upbeat and light for when guests arrive, a little more mellow for dinnertime and back to upbeat if you want to keep the party going after dinner.
Theme for Menu
Have fun with your menu! A theme helps you narrow down the endless possibilities for what to serve. Food can also help set the vibe of the party. Want to make things a little more elegant? Opt for classic French dishes. Looking to have a little fun? Try family-style taco platters for people to build their own. Just make sure to check with guests about any dietary restrictions. While you don’t have to accommodate every single nuance of people’s diets, allergies need to be considered and you’ll want to provide a variety of options.
No-Fail Dessert
One way to ensure your dessert course goes smoothly is to make a dish that you can prepare well in advance. Pies, cakes and tarts are tried-and-true favourites that can be refrigerated overnight. Or try something a little different and go for a cheese plate and dried fruit, berries and cream or a platter of fresh fruit. And if baking just isn’t your forte there’s absolutely no shame in going the store-bought route. (We won’t tell!) Pick up a cake stand or a tiered serving tray to make the presentation a little more special.
It may be cliché to say that the past couple years have been hard. Except, it’s true. More than ever creating a little luxury for yourself at home is key to making the days a little easier. Here is our FORMula for the perfect principal bedroom retreat.
LOW VOC MATTRESS
You spend a lot of time on your mattress. Health experts recommend 7 - 9 hours of sleep for adult women with the average being 8 hours and 27 minutes. (A strangely specific figure, no?) All that adds up to between 2,555 and 3,285 hours a year. Having a comfortable, healthy mattress if you are logging those kinds of hours is important. Check the construction to ensure the chemicals and construction of your mattress are not negatively affecting your air quality. A mattress constructed with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a key way to achieve this goal. We are big fans of natural latex mattresses for exactly that reason.
HIGH QUALITY BEDDING
A system of seasonally appropriate duvet, pillows suitable for your sleep style and sheets that are welcoming and comfortable is essential. Consider investing in both a summer and winter duvet and there are great offerings in silk, Eiderdown and down alternatives available. We always prefer a natural fibre as it breathes better to keep your body temperature comfortable. When it comes to sheets, thread count isn’t the most important factor in quality. The fibre content and construction matter more. We’ve found a few favourites over the years, but whether you choose cotton, bamboo, flannel or sateen – it really does come down to personal preference.
LIGHT CONTROL ON WINDOWS
Considering how you want to dress your windows has a big impact on the overall feel of a room. If you work shifts, the ability to darken a space for your sleeping schedule is important. A layering system of shades to provide both privacy and light control combined with drapery for personality is a winning combination. If complete darkness isn’t required a roman shade in a simple fabric can be clean and efficient without becoming bland. For a high-tech touch, consider motorizing your treatments so they follow a schedule, which is great for security and as a way to wake you up in the morning.
INSPIRING ART
What do you want the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see at night (besides your spouse) to be? Our vote is original art that speaks to you. Selecting pieces that remind you of important moments, or times of pure happiness are wise investments in your heart. We are believers that art looks a lot of different ways. For one person, it might be an original oil painting, but it also looks like a framed quilt from your grandmother, the patterns on your accent cushions, or an upholstered chair with an interesting frame.
LAMP
Living in the northern hemisphere means we don’t always have access to abundant natural light. It is nice to have the option to transition from day to night with softer lighting than your overhead bulbs can provide. Plus, who wants to get up once you are snuggled in with a good book? Choose a lamp with dimmable bulbs and pick a colour temperature of 2,700 - 3,000 kelvin for a soft warm glow. A plug in wall timer makes it easy to follow a schedule, too.
What are your essentials for a perfect bedroom retreat? Drop us a note in the comments below.
And, if you need to elevate your space, give us a call.
