I haven’t posted photos of my guest quarters for a long time because I’ve been using the space for my podcast studio and for a warehouse while we had our online shop that we closed Sept 15. It was full of boxes, and packing peanuts, packing tape, and some products that we kept in stock. It was a big mess. I don’t have photos of the room at its worst, but you can imagine, it was bad. Then my daughter wanted to have her bible study group over, and I had to clear a lot of the mess out of the room. There was still stuff in there, but much less.
Now that we’ve closed the shop, I couldn’t wait to get the room fully cleaned up and ready for a new chapter. What does that chapter include? I don’t know exactly. We’ve discussed renting it through airbnb, but haven’t come to an agreement on that yet. But I decided to redo it with the thought that it might be rented out. So, I’ve gone with a mostly practical look for the room. Either way, I’ve tried to keep an eye on the style of the room, while keeping it practical also.
I’ve ordered some things but wanted to show you what it looks like now, and what I’m planning to do.
Not only did I clear out all of the packing supplies, but I cleared out a work table, extra chairs, and some odds and ends. I’m sad to say, it had become the dreaded ‘junk room’.
So these pictures were taken after I cleared out the extra junk, but before I added the new furniture.
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New Queen Bed
I plan to replace the twin bed with a queen bed. I found a gorgeous upholstered bed for a very reasonable price. Click on the link to see the bed I chose! It’s out of stock, but will be available in Nov 2019. It’s got excellent reviews. I thought the guest room really needed sleeping for two.
I think it’s a dreamy bed and will be very comfortable.
New Leather Chairs
Then I have the issue of comfy seating. Currently I have a French chair in the room, but I want the room to be ready for 2 guests, and I want comfortable chairs that will hold up to a lot of wear.
So I’ve ordered two leather club chairs in Navy. They got great reviews, should be comfy and hold up to wear and tear.
CLICK HERE. The chairs recline, but they don’t look like recliners. I know I normally buy French chairs, but I wanted something very practical for this room.
New Smart TV
We also needed an upgrade for the TV. I found a TV that so far is fantastic. It’s a smart TV with Alexa built in, so there’s no need to add a firestick to access Hulu, Amazon Prime or Netflix. This one was VERY reasonable. It’s an LG, 43 inch and it’s less than 20 pounds. The old plasma TV we had in here was over 100 pounds! The remote has a pointer feature, so you can just point it to your selection and hit enter, much like a mouse. It’s so much easier than having to scroll through the alphabet. CLICK HERE. As soon as the chairs arrive, we’ll be testing them out for a movie night.
Kitchen Chairs
Now onto the kitchen area. I’d like to do new chairs in here also. I want something very practical, so I’m not sure I’ll keep these chairs in the room. But I figure, why not try making some slipcovers first? The chairs go so well with the table. I’ll share the results with you and you can help me decide. If I buy new chairs, I’m considering kubu chairs. CLICK HERE.
I’m also planning to add a new rug in here. I’m looking at several, so I don’t know what I’ll get yet. This rug is very similar to what I am looking at. CLICK HERE.
This is our only guest room, and I found it to be lacking when my mom was last visiting, so I hope the room will be more welcoming with these changes. Everything should be here in about a month, so I’ll be updating you soon. If you have any suggestions for the room, I would love to hear them.
Yes the larger bed will be great for two. Also two comfortable chairs. Nothing else needs changing. It is very nice. I know I’ve seen the bath I just can’t remember where it is. I’m looking forward to seeing it all pulled together.
What a cute space! My only comment is that if you plan to rent it out, don’t have anything in there that has sentimental value. A friend of mine had very bad experience when renting her lake house, so much so that she no longer rents it out. Yours may be quite different however, since it would probably just be couples. Her place was large and probably most of the renters were multiple families with kids.
You are so right Donna! We rent out our mountain house, and it sleeps 10, so there are often a lot of people in the house. I don’t have anything in that house that I am attached to, but still things break. Usually when we go up there I find that something is broken, and some small things have been taken, but the things that are gone were not valuable items. So things have to be replaced constantly, and yes it’s a hassle. We continue to rent our mountain house, but the rental income pays the mortgage. I am still learning to see the wear and tear as a cost of doing business. It’s definitely got a downside. For now, we won’t be renting it out, but who knows, that might change later.
Hi, Anita,
I think everything you’ve planned will only enhance this lovely space! Your ideas will make this guest area even cozier than it is now.
(And, if you DO wind up changing out the area rug, I would be glad to purchase the ABC rug—as well as the dining chairs if you replace those as well! I don’t know if selling items is an option for you, but please consider my offer and let me know your thoughts.)
I enjoy every one of your posts, which have helped me “French countrify” my home.
Thanks Amy! Do you live in Houston? I’ll keep you in mind if I do want to move them on to a new home.
Airbnb was a blessing when my home sold quickly during the process of divorce. I lived for almost 4 months in an Antebellum home in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in South Carolina until the divorce was finalized. The Airbnb homeowner traveled as a Professional Set Designer for Theater Productions all over the world and it was such a wonderful experience in her exquisitely designed house! She couldn’t believe I cleaned the entire place AND washed the bed linens and made the bed before I left. I wanted her to know how much I appreciated her beautiful home during an arduous time.
Your guest room will be such a respite for visitors! The Bergere` chairs you have at the dining table now suit the compact space. Looking forward to seeing your transformation!
What a wonderful guest you are Nan!! Sounds like a dreamy home you stayed in too.
The bedroom I slept in had beautiful shiplap walls painted a metallic-finish dark pewter shade with gorgeous elaborate white woodwork and tall windows over-looking the forest. Dreamy respite indeed!
I love all the changes coming for your guest quarters, especially the bed! We’re moving to a new house after December 31st, and we’re going to need both queen and king beds. This one will join my list of favorites on Wayfair! I have a question—would two of the kubu dining chairs you linked work with my current ladder-back, rush seat chairs (vintage, currently walnut stained) at the heat and foot of the table? I’m thinking of painting my chairs black—the cushions are from Ballard Designs, their black and white, small check print. The table is a trestle table with a grayish stain—almost looks pickled. I’ve included a link to a photo of the chairs and table—which I hope works!
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0fA395Lhx5yl3g3JaR_G9s1ZA
Thanks for doing the research on the television! I hate my huge heavy Samsung which is now 12 years old. I find searching by typing in one letter at a time so frustrating!
Slipcovers for your chairs would be an easy solution, although may have to be laundered often. There are some amazing faux leather fabrics available now in which you could recover the chairs. Much more upfront expense, but just wiping them clean with a damp cloth might be worth it.? I now have two Empire chairs that we recovered for my Mom’s apartment when she turned 90 and began to have some incontinent issues. We used what was available at the time ten years ago, and now that they are mine, I am looking at much lovelier fabrics that are still impervious to the stains and spills of my five grandchildren.
Heather, I ended up buying leather chairs.Thanks for the excellent info! I hope to get photos on the blog soon.
Lovely! When can I come stay? Haha Just kidding…I think I would try the dining table turned so that the corner points to the buffet/chest, instead of having it perpendicular to it. It will lessen the austere straightforward look and make it more playful. Maybe….. If you are a symmetrical person, you may not like it, I think it will break up the flow in a good way. Can’t wait to see it all put back together!
CC