How to Prepare Your Home for Guests

home design, Marlene Guest Post

These beautiful summer days welcome guests to visit you and your home! Are you ready? Playing hostess is a wonderful, gratifying, intimate way to show love and care for dear friends and family. If only we had all the time in the world to enjoy, as we wish!! Here's how to prepare your home for guests.

The Summary

Today Marlene is showing us how to prepare our homes for guests this summer

From bedrooms to bathrooms, Marlene is providing great home design tips

All of Marlene's suggestions are shoppable via inline, text-widgets

How to Prepare Your Home For Guests This Summer

1. Guest Rooms

Guest rooms are charming – pampering retreats after a day of fun in the sun, with personal accessories to make visits even more memorable. Of course, not sooo comfortable that your guests never want to leave!! You know the 3-day rule!!

Becca Green Floral Cotton Upholstery Fabric (Ballard Designs) | Becca Floral Cotton Curtain Panel (Ballard Designs) | Suzanne Kasler Gourd Lamp (Ballard Designs) | Classic Herringbone Throw (Ballard Designs)

2. Bedroom

Having a comfortable guest bedroom with lovely linens and throw, nightstands or desk filled with fresh fleurs or flowering plant, water carafe, good lighting with favorite books, scented candle or diffuser, clock and pen with themed notepads, cards or stationery are all thoughtful.

How about a little sweet treat for the pillow and lovely dreams?

Missoni Missoni Jill Collection (Bloomingdales) | Missoni Missoni John Duvet Cover (Bloomingdale's) | Addison Ross Powder Blue & Gold Square Alarm Clock (Gracious Style) | Lamp Sets (Overstock) | Vintage & New Asian Table Lamps (Chairish)

diptyque Figuier/Fig Tree Candle (Nordstrom) | diptyque Baies Reed Diffuser Set (Nordstrom) | Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede (Macys)

RL Flag Organic Oxford Bedding Collection Bedding B (2)

Ralph Lauren Workshirt Chambray Sheeting Collection (Bloomingdale's) | Ralph Lauren Organic Cotton Percale Sheets (Bloomingdale's) | Classic Swing Arm Sconce (Caitlin Wilson) | Terrace Side Table (West Elm)

Cotton Percale Sheets are crisp and cool for this time of year…and for some year- round if one sleeps “hot” or lives in warm climates. Layer the bedding – sheets, blanket and duvet…everyone will be happier - all natural fibers please!!

Passions: Carolyne Roehm (Amazon) | Teleflora's Perfect Peonies Bouquet (Teleflora) | LA Rochere Lyonnais Carafe (Neiman Marcus)

Sapphire Assembly of Frames(Etsy)

Quiet moments and areas for repose and privacy are necessities for guests and busy hosts - hostesses too! Enjoy a little tea, lemonade or soda water…and rejuvenate several times a day!

3. Bathroom

Is the bathroom fragrant and complete with fresh, fluffy, absorbent towels…robe, slippers, soaps, shower wash and lotions, tissues, toothpaste & brushes a la spa?? You be the judge - depending on the guest, your means and space, of course.

Some of my very favorites are Abyss & Habidecor’s Super Line Egyptian towel collection in 60 colors, Hotel Turkish towels and Ralph Lauren Terry…of course, any of the many beautiful scents for bath, body and soul from Jo Malone London! Lime Basil Mandarin, English Pear & Freesia, Orange Blossom, Peony and Wood Sage and Sea Salt are a few faves. You and your guest spaces will always be scented beautifully, as a summer breeze!