Holiday hosting ideas to steal from 10 gorgeous homes

The article presents twelve different guest house plans from the Southern Living House Plans collection, emphasizing Southern hospitality and the desire to provide comfortable and private accommodations for overnight guests. These plans range from cozy cottages and bunkhouses to more modern farmhouses, all designed to offer the comforts of a home away from home while being customizable to specific needs. The article highlights that despite their typically small footprints, these dwellings do not compromise on comfort or style. Each of the twelve plans is introduced with its unique characteristics, square footage, and number of bedrooms and bathrooms. For instance, the "Boathouse & Bunkhouse, Plan #49" is a 376-square-foot cottage with one bedroom and one bath, featuring exposed rafters and wood siding, designed to evoke an old boathouse. Its numerous windows allow for ample natural light, making the small space feel larger. Another example is the "Backyard Retreat House, Plan #2061," an 891-square-foot plan that can serve as both a pool house and a guest suite. It includes a full kitchen, private bath, separate bedroom, and generous indoor and outdoor living areas. "Whiteside Cottage, Plan #1980" is a 430-square-foot guest quarter that mirrors the design elements of a modern farmhouse with a peaked gable, white siding, metal roof, and a welcoming front porch. The "Great Escape Guest House, Plan #2084," designed to complement the 2022 Idea House, is a 357-square-foot structure with a window seat for reading. The "Palmetto Cottage, Plan #2009", inspired by Lowcountry architecture, offers 656 square feet with a welcoming front porch, an eat-in kitchen, and a vaulted entertaining area, all designed for coastal charm and Southern hospitality. The two-story "Bluebird Cottage, Plan #2026" provides 619 square feet, featuring a sitting area, fireplace, and an upstairs loft for guests. The "Idea House At Fontanel Bunkie, Plan #1857" is a compact 317-square-foot cabin that maximizes space with a spacious suite accommodating two queen beds, a full bath, and a kitchenette, complete with a breezy front porch. The "Cedar Creek Guest House, Plan #1450" is a 500-square-foot cabin that extends its living space outdoors with a covered porch and an outdoor fireplace, suitable for year-round use. The "Garden Cottage, Plan #1830," at 540 square feet, is presented as an ideal mother-in-law suite or weekend retreat, featuring a full kitchen, fireplace, and a wide front porch. "Hilltop, Plan #728" is a 539-square-foot rustic cabin suitable for lakeside or mountain properties, offering a private fireplace and laundry facilities. The "Beachside Bungalow, Plan #1117" is a 484-square-foot efficient cottage with a cozy kitchen, living room, and a full-length front porch, perfect for beach vacations. Finally, "Sun River, Plan #644" is a 360-square-foot two-story cabin designed for mountain escapes, with sleeping quarters upstairs and an open-plan living space downstairs. The article emphasizes that these diverse guest house plans offer comfort, privacy, and style, catering to various aesthetic preferences and functional needs, ensuring a pleasant experience for visitors. #GuestHouse #HousePlans #CottageDesign #Bunkhouse #SmallHomes #SouthernHospitality #ArchitecturalDesign #HomeBuilding #TinyHousePlans

Preparing a guest room for the holiday season involves thoughtful touches to make visitors feel comfortable and festive. Experts from the hospitality industry, specifically bed and breakfast owners Tamara Ehlin of The Forsyth B&B and Kim McFayden of Ecoshack, offer their insights on how to achieve this. Their recommendations focus on creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere without necessitating a complete room renovation. Floral arrangements are a key element for adding vibrancy. Ehlin suggests incorporating seasonal white or red flowers, such as poinsettias or amaryllis bulbs, along with natural branches in an elegant earthenware vase. She emphasizes a "less is more" approach to ensure the arrangements appear modern and sophisticated. These floral accents instantly introduce a touch of nature and holiday spirit into the guest space. Scented candles are another powerful tool for setting a festive mood. McFayden highlights the impact of classic seasonal aromas. Recommended candles include the Voluspa Baltic Amber, known for its sandalwood and cedar notes, and The White Company Winter Signature candle, which features hints of cinnamon, clove, and orange. The Homesick White Elephant candle, with its sparkling cassis, champagne, and yuzu fizz, is also suggested for its unique festive scent. To enhance comfort and holiday cheer in the bedding area, Ehlin advises incorporating luxurious textiles like velvet and sequins into throw pillows. She cautions against overly kitschy holiday wording, preferring subtle elegance. Additionally, festive-themed pillows and those made from rich materials are recommended to create an instant holiday feel when guests retire to bed. Warm lighting is crucial for creating a cozy ambiance. McFayden suggests using warm Christmas lights by placing them inside glass jars, vases, or wine bottles. This method provides a decorative yet understated festive glow. Specific products like the Home Accents Fairy LED Battery-Operated Light String and Wondershop lights are noted for their warm illumination. A soft throw blanket is considered essential for guest comfort during colder months. McFayden recommends adding a cozy throw at the foot of the bed, suggesting the plush faux fur ombre throw from West Elm and the L.L.Bean Wicked Plush Throw as excellent options. These blankets provide warmth and a sense of relaxation for guests. Practical amenities also contribute to a welcoming environment. Ehlin stresses the importance of a luggage rack in every guest room, especially during the holidays, to help guests manage their belongings. While not strictly decor, options like the Gate House Furniture Folding Wood Luggage Rack or the Pottery Barn Eco Luggage Rack with Tassel Straps are highlighted for their functionality and aesthetic appeal. Natural elements like pine cones can add thematic decor. McFayden enjoys incorporating natural dried pine cones, either alone or combined with string lights in a glass vase. Various pine-themed items, such as the Afloral Box of Natural Pine Cones, Wondershop Christmas LED String Lights with Sugared Pine Cones, and Crate & Barrel Mini Pinecone Candles, are suggested to subtly infuse a holiday atmosphere throughout the room. Evergreen plants, including the Norfolk Pine or lush cedar garlands, are excellent holiday additions. Ehlin notes that greenery always provides a lovely touch. These plants can be decorated with ornaments or string lights, and garlands can be draped over headboards to create a verdant aesthetic. A coffee or tea bar offers guests a comforting hot drink option. McFayden maintains a year-round setup with mugs, seasonal coffees and teas, and appliances like a coffee maker or tea kettle. Examples include the Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker and the Smeg '50s Retro-Style Electric Kettle, along with specialty coffees like Atlas Coffee Club and Hudson Valley Marshmallow Co.'s hot chocolate mix. Wall art or wreaths can transform the room's aesthetic. Swapping regular wall decor for winter-themed items like a wreath is a simple yet effective strategy. Ehlin favors Twisted Pine hoop wreaths for doors or above beds, while the Balsam Hill Winter Wishes Foliage Wreath and framed Amanti Art Vintage Wooded Holiday Trees Canvas are also recommended. The bed itself should be dressed for the season. Both McFayden and Ehlin agree that the bed is the most important feature. McFayden emphasizes a comfortable mattress topper, while Ehlin suggests bedding with subtle prints or festive colors. The Parachute Down Mattress Pad, Crate & Barrel Celeste Organic Spruce Green Solid Quilt, and L.L.Bean Evergreen Percale Sheet Collection are noted for enhancing comfort and style. An accent chair provides both comfort and practicality. If space allows, McFayden recommends an accent armchair for guests to relax, read, or place their clothes. The World Market Tyley Upholstered Chair and the Grandin Road Phoebe Swivel Chair are cited as examples of combining comfort and style. Finally, a sweet treat can leave a memorable impression. Ehlin suggests leaving chocolates on pillows or providing homemade cookies, candies from See's Candies, or hot chocolate mixes like The OG Original Hot Chocolate Mix. These thoughtful gestures contribute to a positive and lasting holiday memory for guests. #HolidayDecor #GuestRoomIdeas #HomeDecor #BedAndBreakfastTips #FestiveAmbiance #InteriorDesign #CozyHome #SeasonalDecor #Hospitality

This article explores a variety of Christmas decorating ideas inspired by the homes of popular celebrities, offering readers inspiration to create festive and elegant atmospheres in their own spaces. The collection of ideas ranges from natural and minimalist approaches to vibrant and dramatic themes, showcasing diverse styles that can be adapted for any home. Joanna Gaines, known for her farmhouse style, integrates natural elements such as evergreen garlands, faux holly berry sprigs, and dried orange garlands, suggesting readers can create similar DIY orange garlands or scatter dried orange slices for simple centerpieces. Drew Barrymore emphasizes warmth through felt ornaments, encouraging readers to craft their own to match personal color schemes and family personalities. Erin Napier's maximalist Christmas decor features satin bows and colorful bulbs, blending feminine touches with playful elements. The article recommends using velvet or satin ribbons for bows on trees, garlands, or wreaths, complemented by tinsel and vibrant ornaments. Kris Jenner's dramatic monochrome theme is highlighted by solid red trees, a red balloon ceiling, and a red ball pit, inspiring a bold approach with ornaments and accents in various shades of red. Interior designers Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent offer a minimalist perspective, utilizing warm neutrals and textured ornaments to create inviting spaces. Readers can achieve this by incorporating subtle champagne accessories and neutral metallics. Oprah Winfrey’s timeless style is characterized by fresh garlands and large pinecones, suggesting draping thick garlands over staircases, mantels, or cabinet tops and embellishing them with pinecones or ornaments. Shania Twain's playful Christmas decor includes the Elf on the Shelf tradition, encouraging readers to add whimsy with homemade elf ornaments, figurines, and pillows. Kylie Jenner's grand tree with vintage ornaments provides inspiration for incorporating timeless charm through vintage decorations like Santa Claus figures and icicles. Tan France opts for classic red, silver, and gold palettes, advising readers to embrace traditional colors with matching tree skirts or collars. Paris Hilton embraces a pink Christmas tree, reflecting a growing trend for bright and colorful holiday decor. The article suggests swapping traditional red and green for pink for a playful twist. Heidi Klum adds a whimsical touch by suspending ornaments from her light fixture, a look achievable with fishing line to create a floating effect. Finally, Stacey Solomon's Nutcracker-inspired doorway, featuring nutcrackers, garlands, and oversized stars and ornaments, encourages readers to adopt this festive theme, perhaps even topping their tree with a majorette hat. #ChristmasDecor #CelebrityHomes #HolidayDecor #HomeDecorIdeas #NaturalElements #FeltOrnaments #MaximalistChristmas #MonochromeDecor #NeutralDecor #VintageOrnaments #PinkChristmas #NutcrackerDecor