Guest Prep

With the exciting arrival of Eliza Jane just around the corner (3+ weeks!), this past weekend I really wanted to get the guest bedroom ready for my parents.  I legitimately have had this fear of going into labor and that room looking like a tornado had come thru.

There wasn’t a ton to do, just get all the ribbon from the bow-making put away.  It was spread all over the bed so that I could see exactly what I had so that I didn’t buy 5 spools of the same color…because with my pregnancy brain, that was sure to happen!  I had this large lidded jar that was perfect for that task!

Once all the ribbon was put away, I made the bed, re-hung the bird prints above it and re-arranged the two red chairs and small table near the window.

I was pondering what else is needed for this room, since my parents will be here for at least a week once EJ arrives…a trash can is a must (basket, something painted?) and another blanket?

Wondering what are the necessities for a guest bedroom, I wandered to the internet…Martha Stewart would know.  The first recommendation, at which I laughed wholeheartedly, was that she suggests to starch and iron (for hotel crispness) your sheets.  I said to Andrew (my hotel GM husband), “Y’all don’t starch/iron the sheets?! do you?!” (sure that I knew the answer was “NO“).  He laughed and said, “No.  No one does that anymore.”  See.  Martha, you must be bored.

By and large, I did like her recommendations, but nothing was shouting out to me that I hadn’t already thought of…so we must certainly be ready.  Well, except for the trash can.  And maybe a couple of maps for things in the area so that my dad doesn’t get lost on his random trip to Lowe’s or wherever he might attempt to go while on his own.

Any other suggestions from friends out there?  What are things that you have in your guest room that make it cozy and welcoming?