Friday, December 11, 2015

Guests and The Big Green Monster

There was a time when I used to have 10+ people staying in my home overnight for Christmas. Back when the kids were small and their cousins would all sleep over....there were makeshift beds everywhere! 

But kids grow up and have their own lives and families get busier and traditions change. 

I still host my family for Christmas dinner but don't have as many overnight guests any more. 

Mom and Dad don't come back from Florida for the holidays. 

My sister and her family, with her grown kids, tend to travel back home after dinner. 

My other sister may or may not stay for Christmas night with her two boys. We'll see. 

Times change. 

Either way, there's room for everyone in my new house. We can have a big old fashioned sleepover if the cards fall that way. 

I never did share my guest room with you. Do you wonder why?

Because it's naked. 

Who wants to see a naked guest room? 

Well today's the day. Naked or not. Here it is. 


See what I mean? There is NOTHING hanging on the walls. At all. Completely naked. 


I wasn't going to show it to you at all except the sun was shining so beautifully through the windows this morning and I had to grab the camera and start snapping. 


Also, my all time favorite EVER piece of furniture is in the guest room. 

And about a billion plants that I moved out of the living room to make room for Christmas decorations. 

Did I mention I love plants? They make me happy. 


This piece of furniture has been in my last 4 homes. 

It was in my yoga room when I was married. It held my yoga DVD's and workout equipment. 

It had a spot of honor in my living room when I got separated - it held dishes since my itty bitty kitchen had no storage. 

And it was in my kitchen in my last rental. It held dishes and glasses. 

When I bought my house I stressed and stressed over where this piece was going to live. 

Because no matter what, I had to find a home for this baby. 


Do you have a piece like that? I call this one the Big Green Monster. 

I hoped I could use it in my dining room but it just didn't work. Too huge. 

I thought I could use it in my lower level but it didn't work. Too tall. 

But you know what? It works perfectly in my guest room. 


It stores my guest towels and sheets perfectly behind the glass doors. 

Lavender sachets make it smell so lovely when you open the doors to take out a set of clean sheets!

The lower doors hold some other bulkier bedding as well as a few misc items that don't have a home yet. 


It fit just perfectly on this wall next to the window. Don't you just love it?

And you know what? I get more comments on this piece than any other piece of furniture I own. 

Do you know how much I paid for it?

Nothing. It was free. Someone was throwing it out. 

Can you believe that? 


I really need to find something to hang on the walls in here, though. 

Nothing has jumped out at me. 

It will happen in time....you can't rush these things. The layers take time. 

Meanwhile, it's a sunny, happy room and I love having a dedicated guest room. 

When you look out the window you have a view of the horses in their paddock and their little barn. What's better than that?


When you come out of the guest room you meet my little happy fiber optic snowman (thanks, Mom!) and a couple of other little holiday items. 


And the guest bath is right across the hall. 

It's a sunny, happy room also with that skylight above the shower. 


I didn't have to do a thing but paint in this room - the previous homeowners had already renovated it fairly recently. 

Wait, I lied - I changed out the sink and toilet. 


Even the guest bath has some artwork on the wall yet there are many walls in my house that are just crying out for artwork. 


What's wrong with me? I have a hard time committing to hammering that nail into the wall!



So....welcome to my guest space. 

Let me know when you're coming and I'll turn the bed down for you. 


48 comments:

  1. I would love to have a Big Green Monster! I also love how you have incorporated it into your room and filled it with glorious linens and sachets! Truly striking and also useful.
    Just look at you and your green thumb and these marvelous house plants!
    You make every room so inviting and charming.
    Happy Friday!
    xo
    Jemma

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    1. Thank you so much, Jemma!! My houseplants are like my inside garden for the wintertime when I can't play in the dirt outside!! I admit, in the summer they get a little neglected....poor things! But they always rebound.

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  2. The green piece is awesome and so is the guest bed quilt! I love color....and that room has it, naked wall or not! ;)

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    1. It does have color, Kim, that's for sure! I tone it down in the spring and summer and then bring back the colorful quilt in the fall. Maybe by the spring swap-over I'll have something on the walls?? :)

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  3. Oh I can see you have a green thumb. Nice plants. I loved that cabinet in the guest room. So charming. Like the snowman from your mom. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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    1. I do love my plants, always did!!
      My little happy snowman sparkles in the hallway and is so cute as a big nightlight in the holiday season - my mom is equally cute!!

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  4. The Big Green Monster could come live with me anytime...I would never throw out something that beautiful! Glad you rescued it and gave it a home. Have a great weekend :)
    Karen

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    1. I know, can you believe they were just going to dump it? You know, I didn't even do a thing to it except give it a good cleaning! Someday I may paint it....but then again, maybe not!!

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  5. I love your green piece. It is beautiful and it was FREE. Wow.

    I have that same bedspread. Bought it for myself for my bday. this year. I love the colors and it has paisleys and roses. :-)

    I have lots of artwork, and not enough wall space.

    Any guest would be happy to stay in that room, it is serene, a lovely place to rest.

    Happy Christmas holidays ~ FlowerLady

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    1. You're so sweet, Lorraine! Thank you!! I bought that quilt a number of years ago, from Plow & Hearth, I believe. It's been washed and dried I don't know how many times and has held up rather well!! I love it in my guest room with the Big Green Monster - they work well together!

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  6. With the big green monster, lively plants, and a view of the horses, what else do you need? You have a very nice inviting space for your guests!

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    1. Thank you, Lori!! My sister loved waking up to see the horses first thing...she always wanted to have a view of horses out her window and now she can have it at my house!

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  7. Don't feel bad...I'm having a difficult time hammering nails in the walls also....I have several bare-walled rooms because I can't commit...LOL LOVE your big green monster! Absolutely gorgeous!!! And so is the guest bedroom...naked walls and all! So pretty!!

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    1. It's the stupidest thing, Benita - a tiny bit of spackle and the nail hole is gone!! But this is the first time in my life I actually paid someone to paint my house when I moved in and I guess that's keeping me from hammering nails in willy-nilly!! :)

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  8. What a gorgeous piece of furniture...it reminds me of a piece we had in the kitchen when I was very young...wonder whatever happened to it.
    It makes a perfect piece for linens...and it is green, my favorite color!

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    1. I really wanted it in the dining room, Marigene - it holds so many dishes/glasses!! But it's ok, I do love it in the guest room so all is well!

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  9. I love your big green monster! Yes, you should always keep this, or give it to me! ;) Looks great in your guestroom. It doesn't take time to find just the right things for your new house when you move. I've got some bare spots too. I love the skylight in the guest bath, it's a lovely bath too. Have a great weekend.
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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    1. It does, Shelia! I looked at some art from local artists in Vermont when we were away recently and nothing just jumped out at me. I have to love it...I'm not going to settle!

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  10. What a cozy, serene room! Naked walls or not, I love it! I have so enjoyed all your posts this week. I've been swamped at school with end of the semester/testing/Christmas stuff, but your blog has given me such a sweet break during my lunchtime. :-) Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. That's one of the sweetest things I've ever heard, Mimi - thank you so much!! God Bless our teachers....I don't know how you do it!

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  11. I love your guest room, bare walls and all...and all that matters to your guests is your company! Besides, they have that dreamy cabinet to look at and scheme over how they are going to get it out that window and drive off in the middle of the night...oh wait, we're not talking about me are we! ;) Did I mention that I love that cabinet? And free, makes it even prettier! Your home is beautiful and I love all of the plants too!
    I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend!
    Kimberley

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    1. Thank you so much, Kimberley!! I guess if you come to visit I'll have to keep an eye on you in the middle of the night, huh? :) I hope you are having a joyous holiday season thus far!!

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  12. Personally I love your guest room I would feel embraced and snug in your beautifully made bed and that lovely cabinet. I read your feelings about visitors at Christmsas time, I relate. BTW I have been in love with the Velcro 3 M hanging strips and they are removable... I envision for the winter on your naked wall (your words) some kind of texture, quilt, rug, flag, whatever. No nails driven into the wall and easy peasy removal.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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    1. That's funny, Vera, that's exactly what I was thinking - some sort of quilt or similar on the wall to the left of the window. Something in keeping with the old fashioned country theme in that room - the iron bed, the old cabinet, the lacy curtains....I just haven't seen a thing I like yet. I think I need to hit up some antique stores! I am going to keep those 3M strips in mind - thank you so much! xo

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  13. I actually like the nude bedroom as I find nude walls very relaxing. The green hutch is a gorgeous piece and I believe your Christmas guests will be very happy there... Maybe Santa will decide to spend the night.

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    1. Santa is always welcome! I'm sure he needs a little rest from time to time on Christmas Eve!

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  14. That hutch is a beauty, and if you are laying in bed, it's what you see not the wall behind you anyway :)

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  15. That's a beautiful piece of furniture! I can just picture it filled with pretty white linens in your lovely bedroom with all that sunshine streaming in :) And your plants are thriving so well, you must have a green thumb! I just can't keep them alive especially during the winter months! Happy Sunday! Hugs, Poppy

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    1. Hi Poppy! If I had more time the plants would be even happier....but they are still alive so I'm obviously doing something right!

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  16. Free?! Wow... amazing what some people think is trash. It really is a beautiful piece and I can see why you love it so much. I have a really old antique Desk that I use in my office that I have to always find a place for. I took out shelves for it in this house.

    I just finished catching up with you and your home looks absolutely lovely, warm and cozy, inside and out, decorated in it's Christmas finery.

    hugs to you!
    xo,
    rue

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  17. I cannot believe what people discard. I adore that piece and it would be a favorite of mine. I love how you have set it up for your company. I am so enjoying your blog over Christmas. It is so warm, inviting and beautiful. Deb

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    1. Right back at ya, Deb - I love catching up with you and seeing what Simon is up to!

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  18. I love your guest room - I'd glady stay there! That bed is beautiful and of course, so is the "Green Monster". And the view is that of horses? I'm so there! You will find just the right artwork for the walls when it's meant to be. I'm the same way...I wait for just the right thing.

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  19. Beautiful room from that wonderful green hutch to the beautiful quilt on the bed....I love plants too...I am sure your guests love staying in that room you have so wonderfully decorated! Merry Christmas!

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  20. I think your guests will love that room and the big green monster is a beauty!

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    1. My sweetie would say beauty is in the eye of the beholder - and he's right!

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  21. You sure have a Beautiful guest room, but I guess you could need something for the walls. I have too much on mine, it seems, and can't get room for anything, lol. Your green monster is so Beautiful. Looks perfect.
    Hope you have a nice day.
    Love Elzie

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    1. I will find just the right thing some day, Elzie...and then I'll share it here with all of you!

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  22. I love your big green monster and I can see why you love it so!

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  23. I thought this post was going to be about jealousy, but then again, that's the green eyed monster. I'm confused lol.

    When I read that the hutch was free because someone was throwing out,, my jaw literally dropped. What knucklehead would do that?! Their loss is your gain. It's beautiful, and who needs pictures when your guests can look at that?

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    1. I know, crazy, right??? I think the movers laughed at me each time they moved me from place to place with all my freebies and garage sale finds! Oh well - I love those old pieces!!

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  24. Love the Big Green Monster! Fabulous find. The shower door handle is so cool too. I enjoy seeing pics of your home. Very cozy and welcoming.

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