Beautiful and practical things to have around the house
Aesop hand wash or body cleanser (with pump) at the kitchen sink, guest bathroom sink and in your ensuite
Scented candles - Diptyque are worth the investment - check out some Diptyque
options here.
An old fashioned bicycle with basket which will inspire you to go shopping like a Parisian
Pretty-and-practical gardening gloves such as these Jubilee ones from Ethel - great for gardening, bringing in wood for the fire, putting out the rubbish, and getting a grip on awkward boxes
Lamps with dimmer switches to enable mood and reading light
A retro fridge from Smeg
A boxset of Audrey Hepburn films and a pretty ironing board cover such as these ones from CityChicCountryMouse's Shop on Etsy will help with the boredom than can be induced from ironing
Handpicked flowers or container of herbs from your own garden on the kitchen table, on hallway tables and next to sinks in bathrooms
A bowl of lemons for cooking, cleaning and delicious extra scent
An Art Deco cocktail stand or Chinoiserie lacquered tray containing Vermouth, Gin, Vodka, Rum, Brandy, Whisky, Cointreau, Tequila, Bitters, cocktail shaker, cocktail-making implements, toothpicks, and at least 4-6 cocktail glasses - we like Riedel - plus olives, anchovies and lemons for garnishes ready in the fridge
Tea towels from Cath Kidston
A folding trolley and folding kitchen steps which can help move and lift items between the car and around the house more easily, and with hopefully fewer injuries
A cherry red KitchenAid stand mixer
A dedicated guest room (if you're lucky!) or a large box for unexpected-and-weary guests, filled with beautiful linen, towels, pillow, quilt, Frette waffle robe and slippers, as well as a bottle of mineral water, eye mask, magazines and books, and mini pack of toiletries. You could even include some chocolates and DVDs (see our recommendations) if you won't be free to entertain them. See more information below.
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Preparing for household visitors
Brunch/lunch/dinner guests:
- Send clear instructions, including a map, if your home is in any way difficult to locate or has tricky parking
- Clean the house and tidy the garden
- Find out if any of your visitors have special dietary requirements
- Plan the menu and do the shopping
- Polish the silver and iron the linen napkins
- Prepare as much of the meal in advance as possible
- If you are doing multiple courses and tend to get flustered once guests are vying for your attention, write a step-by-step plan about what needs to be done as the meal proceeds
- Work out what you are wearing and ensure it's clean and pressed
- Light scented candles or incense
- Set the table
- Have a shower early and freshen up again closer to the guests' arrival time
- Arrange vases of fresh flowers
- Turn on music
- Ensure the bathroom is stocked with beautiful soap and handcream (such as L'Occitane or Aesop), fresh hand towels and toilet paper
- Get as many of the dishes done as you go so that guests don't walk into a sink overflowing with dirty pots and pans
- Put out the general rubbish and compost, and replace bin liners
- Do a final wipe down of kitchen countertops
- Turn on internal lamps and outdoor lights (if arriving at night)
- Be prepared to meet guests at their cars with an umbrella if raining
- Have drinks and hors d'oeuvre ready so that guests feel immediately welcomed.
Remember, your guests are coming to enjoy your company, not to judge you for a competition. They probably won't notice the smeared marks on the glass door or whether there were 3 courses or 5. They just want to have a good time with you!
Overnight guests, as above, plus:
- Dust down theguest room and bathroom
- Remove any items that shouldn't be in there, such as children's toys, paperwork, stored items
- Make the bed with freshly laundered linens, including an extra blanket or quilt for cooler nights
- Lay out towels, bottled water, eye mask, slippers, magazines, books and DVDs, chocolates
- Restock guest toiletries in bathroom including toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, makeup remover, moisturiser, deodorant, razor, shampoo, conditioner
- Check that the hairdryer works
Cut some fresh flowers from the garden and set in vase on bedside table- Ensure guest bathrobes are cleaned and hanging in wardrobe or back of door
- Ensure there are multiple spare hangers in the wardrobe and a plastic bag for laundry items
- Check whether bulbs in lamps and overhead lights need replacing
- Make sure that the bedside clock is on the right time and that alarm setting on the alarm clock is NOT turned on
- Prepare a power board so that guests can charge up items such as laptops and mobile phones
- Turn on heating or cooling prior to their arrival so the room is comfortable
- Tell them where to find the first aid kit (See our suggestions for what should be in the medical version, but also the "emotional" kit!)
- Show them how to use any major appliances such as the coffee machine if you are not going to be around to show them in the morning, and lay out breakfast staples such as cereals and breads.
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