Company's Coming

Written By: Erin Thibeau
Photography By: Kenneth M. Wyner

The guest room enjoys a special prominence in the holiday season, which often approaches faster than we anticipate. Before the hectic days of merrymaking, outfit this space with comfortable furnishings that will make visiting family and friends feel at home. Amid the comings and goings and baking and braising, your guests will find a haven in their well-appointed room, and you might have to keep them from overstaying their welcome.

These photos exhibit a fantasy guest bedroom envisioned by Barbara Hawthorn of Barbara Hawthorn Interiors. She established her namesake firm in 1984 and specializes in “timeless, trend-resistant design.”

Hawthorn created the extraordinary guest room shown here with the help of Italian furniture store Poltrona Frau, located in Georgetown, which supplied the luxuriant bed, sumptuous chaise lounge, and more.

For those who enjoy waking up with the help of a little caffeine, an espresso machine can be a godsend. This model’s sophisticated design uses prepackaged capsules to easily brew espresso, cappuccino, or latte beverages. Your company won’t need to worry about sneaking down to the kitchen in the early hours of the morning.
LavAzza Espresso Point Capsule Machine | Color: All Chrome | $695

Modernize the classic bedroom staple. This burnt-orange leather chaise lounge is not only easy on the eyes, but doubles as a battery-powered massage chair, a sleek alternative to its bulky counterparts.
LARUS Chaise Lounge
Design by Poltrona Frau R&D | Made in Italy by Poltrona Frau
Tilting, with rechargeable battery, massage | All leather upholstered
Available in 104 colors | $10,400

Late-night reading has never looked this good. Hand-blown glass lamps provide soft lighting next to the bed, so your guests can relax before lights out.
Murano Glass DIDO Lamp
Design by Jean-Marie Massaud, France
Made in Murano, Venice expressly for Poltrona Frau | Hand-blown glass, ice-colored rectangular shade | $1,900

Your guests might go sockless with a lavish rug like the circular orange one pictured here. A comfortable area rug can brighten a room and minimize noise from other areas of the house.

Enliven blank wall space with an eye-catching work of art, or a series of paintings, as shown here. These stunning pieces by Giovanni Frangi bring fresh color to the guest room.

Surprise your guests with an unexpected treat. Fill delicate champagne glasses with fresh fruit juice and serve with pastries on a pretty tray.

Whether it’s cartoons or the news, your guests can enjoy some downtime with the remote. This TV is discreetly enclosed in the wall, in good view of the lounge chair and bed.

Hawthorn used V2 PaperForms from MIO, an environmentally and socially progressive design firm in Philadelphia, to transform the bland TV wall into show stopper with these eco-friendly 3D wallpaper tiles. Paint them in your favorite color and hang them on the wall with wallpaper paste or double-sided tape. www.mioculture.com.
$32 for 12 tiles

Accommodate a range of body temperatures with a soft, vivid cashmere throw.
100% Cashmere Blanket | Color: Orange
Made in Italy for Poltrona Frau | $1,600

	Reading Material Stock the guest room with different books and magazines for the avid reader to enjoy during lulls in activity.
	Toiletries Anyone can find themselves in the compromising position of being without a toothbrush. To avoid apologetic requests from your guests, supply them with basic miniature toiletry items: shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, disposable razor, lotion, and soap. You can nab these items during your next hotel stay or purchase them. For a nice touch, arrange them in a basket near a stack of towels.
	Extra Pillows Accommodate your guests’ sleeping preferences with a variety of pillows ranging in size and firmness.
	Bathrobe A comfy bathrobe can make visitors feel right at home. Hang one in the closet.
	Portable Fan A small fan in the guest room can drown out other noises throughout the house and help guests sleep more easily or cool down.
	Clock Radio Whether it’s for easy listening or easy wake-up, clock radios can be a convenient guest room accessory.
	Scented Candles Help your guests relax after a long day of grappling with family or other tourists by placing three or four scented candles on the nightstand or dresser.

Tip: Clear out the surface and first few drawers of a dresser so your guests can unpack. A desk and chair can help those who may wish to work using their laptops.