Get The Look: A Guest Ready Update

Creating a cosy and welcoming space for Christmas visitors using lots of texture, plenty of layers and a warm neutral palette.

The Joie De Vivre paywall is lifted today as this post contains a sponsorship.  If you like what you read and want to read more, then I would love it if you would consider becoming a free or a paid subscriber!

This post is sponsored by Freemans, the perfect place to find beautiful things for your home to update your space. You can find my full Styled curated home edit on the Freemans website now, from gorgeous Christmas decor through to cosy throws and stylish accessories.

Christmas is coming! Yes, it really is. Despite the fact that it feels like the heating has only just come back on, the big event is a mere 43 days away and I have been starting my planning in earnest. We live in York and the rest of our family are based in the South in London and Berkshire, so we are well versed in guest stays. We have a variety of visitors coming up during the month of December, mostly due to the Christmas Market which is well worth a visit if you’ve never been - even the hardest of festive hearts will be thawed by the twinkly lights, mince pies, acres of fudge stalls and mulled wine. Anyway, this year they are coming up with their shopping lists to get in the Christmas spirit and so it was a great opportunity to give The Barn (which we converted into accommodation from it’s previous garage incarnation) a glow up and make it guest ready for the masses.

It doesn’t take much to create a cosy and welcoming space for visitors. I wrote about this a few weeks ago in details on Design Dilemmas; from adding texture with mixed fabrics through to reading matter and a nice plant, it’s easy to elevate even the blandest of spaces with a few key pieces to make the room feel as if it’s been carefully planned out. So I hit The Barn with a refresh and it’s made a huge difference.

• Swapping out the white bedding for a caramel check makes the space feel warmer (the fact that it’s seersucker and is therefore non iron is an added bonus).

• I used textiles in mixed materials - a boucle knot, a frilled velvet cushion, a soft knitted throw - which added layers to the bed and drew the eye.

• The large wicker tray for essentials is a super practical piece with multiple uses; I’ve used it for snacks and magazines but it would look equally good as a central coffee table piece with candles or books.

• The basket next to the bed is perfect for adding magazines and books - this one came as a set of three, the largest of which would be super for bedding storage.

• The Yorkshire weather is not the most reliable so adding a long furry hot water bottle to the mix is a great idea (although I give it two minutes before Ella my daughter steals this on her next visit).

• The Barn doesn’t have daily footfall so using a large faux banana leaf plant is time efficient, adds greenery and it’s also less likely to die on me (this is a common occurrence in my house, unfortunately).

• The candle is beautifully scented and comes with a lid for when not in use which is super practical (although again, ditto as per the furry hot water bottle).

• And finally, I kept to a cosy seasonal palette of neutrals and natural textures, creating a cohesive space that feels welcoming.

---

All of the items I have selected for this bedroom update come from my Freemans Styled curated home edit which, over the next few weeks, will also cover festive decorating and Christmas tablescapes. And you can find links for all of the products that I used in my Guest Ready Edit below!

1.Natural rattan round tray £20; 2. Hestia glass fish vase £18; 3. Smoked walnut & maple large candle £19; 4. Faux banana plant £99; 5. Olive double frilled velvet cushion £17.

6. Natural cable knit throw £50; 7. Ginger boucle knot £26; 8. 4 piece mug set £16; 9. Caramel seersucker gingham duvet set £30; 10. Set of three seagrass baskets £72.

---

I’ll be posting my festive decor and Christmas tablescape over on my Instagram feed using more of the products from my Styled curated home edit over the next few weeks so keep a look out! And in the meantime, let me know which of the above is your favourite piece. My own? The fish vase which can be multitasked as a water jug next to the bed.

---

Quick Note: This is a free sponsored post for subscribers but you can also become a PAID SUBSCRIBER to receive four free posts a month but also a minimum of four EXTRA posts a month (including a weekly Design Dilemmas) plus Chat threads so you can join our blossoming community. Plus, for a limited time only, if you take out an annual paid subscription, I’ll send you a free signed copy of my book, Resourceful Living. I would thoroughly recommend it!

As always, HUGELY appreciative that you are here and reading - if you have enjoyed, then please do HEART like, comment and share using the recycle sign - it really does help with visibility on this excellent platform.