Decorating Guides
Get Your Houseguests Talking
Create a conversation magnet with something clever and unexpected
We all love when our houseguests tell us how much they like our homes. Sometimes it’s what keeps us going, right? I’ll be the first to admit that some of my projects get done only because somebody is coming over and I want something new to talk about — I’m a sucker for house-project talk. But what can you add to your home to make it stand out from the rest? Is a bold paint color really enough to get people talking? I’ve found that most conversations in my home start when people come across things they have never seen before — like our weird stove that’s sheltered by a house of bricks with the oven off to the side (see photo at the end of this article). It’s a fun way to get people to chat about things other than work or yesterday’s weather.
Imagine showing up to a new friend’s house for the first time and knocking on a door like this … you’d know right away that this person is going to throw a great party! This is an easy and budget-friendly way to add something fun to your own home. A quick online search for stencils will yield endless results, and stencils make for a fun weekend project.
OK, check this out: Isn’t that library that’s cozied up into that little slanted area the coolest thing ever? I’m sure this is a magnet for conversation. Something like this is a great way to keep guests in the kitchen (if you want them there) while you are busy cooking.
The stained glass window does a lot for this space. I’d love to have my glass-artist friend make me a piece! I’m not so sure about energy efficiency, but you’d be dancing whenever you saw this anyway (at least I would be), so it would all work out in the end. But really, if you want something like this and are concerned about energy, you can always place stained glass over an existing window. Easier than adding or replacing a window, right?
Speaking of windows, I am absolutely smitten with this room divider. I see old windows on Craigslist all the time. If you’re interested in doing this but can’t find windows of matching sizes, just get whatever you see, paint all the frames the same color and lay them in a square on the floor. Make up for any large gaps by hanging art or open frames in the middle. Get creative!
When I saw this, I instantly thought about my basement. We can’t decide if we want to close off our stairs or leave them open. This pretty much solves that problem! P.S.: I’ll be sure to have a bottle of glass cleaner on hand at all times.
And now that we have the sides of the stairs figured out, what should we do with the space underneath? Oh, I’ve got it — how about a bathroom! Seriously, this is genius. I’ve seen stairway closets that house paint or sports equipment, but never a bathroom. It’s a very clever small-space solution too, I might add.
If you don’t need another bathroom, why not turn the empty spot under the stairs into a fun area for kids? The coolest part is that you can get away with painting it bubble gum pink and not wonder if it will work with the rest of the house. The kids will love it and will remember your house forever. I know this because my aunt had one, and it was so much fun. Plus, we’d keep ourselves entertained for hours on end, and the grown-ups never bothered us.
I love how the curtain panels on this doorway make it look like an ordinary window. Is there anywhere in your own home that you can do something like this? It’s a nice way to hide clutter without having to explain what’s behind the door that you refuse to open. Just act like the curtains are window treatments!
“Hey, Erin, where’s the salt?” “Oh, just pull on that hunk of molding. No, I’m not kidding — really, it’s in there.” I’m totally using this idea somewhere in my house. Supersecret storage compartment!
Adding a pullout area to write or work on will make a world of difference if you are as disorganized as I seem to be. It’s so nice to just pull it out and start writing without having to move a bunch of stuff first. Anything to make life easier!
What fun or creative things have you added to your own house? Are they the highlights of your house tours you hoped they would be?
More: Secret Passages and Hidden Spots
What fun or creative things have you added to your own house? Are they the highlights of your house tours you hoped they would be?
More: Secret Passages and Hidden Spots
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