When setting up your guest room, it’s helpful to consider what you’d appreciate if you were a visitor in someone’s home. For me, that includes a calm, neutral space with thoughtful touches, including the following:

• A beautifully made bed, complete with crisply ironed sheets, a silk pillowcase, a variety of pillows, a lightweight cotton blanket, along with a heavier duvet and cover
• A tray and water in a Mark Thomas Double Bend Carafe — a lovely, understated crystal piece — from Kneen & Co 
• A toiletry basket with toothpaste and a toothbrush, shampoo and conditioner, soap or shower gel, and body lotion — in your guest’s favorite brands and scents
• Matouk white bath towels
• An assortment of current magazines
• A stack of previously read books your guests can read while they’re visiting or take with them 

We hope these ideas inspire you to furnish your guest room with luxury basics and a few personal touches that will make your company feel right at home.

Whenever I travel, I plan for both scheduled and spontaneous activities. That means making reservations in advance for things like spa services, visits to museums and parks, and coffee or dinner dates with family and friends — while also leaving plenty of room for personal time.

Bookshelves offer a great opportunity to get creative and stay organized at the same time. At CMFTO, we recommend a “less is more” approach to styling shelves for a balanced, uncluttered look — and a great backdrop for Zoom calls! 

Whether you’re visiting someone’s home or celebrating a recent move, a personal and thoughtful gift is always appreciated. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:

• A white flowering plant in an attractive container.

Whether you live in the city or suburbs, you can enjoy your own private oasis in the warmer months — and extend your living space — by creating an outdoor “room.”