THE WELCOMED GUEST.

Otago Witness, Issue 4066, 16 February 1932, Page 57

THE WELCOMED GUEST.

A guest room may sound a much grander term than a spare room, and some people may prefer to christen the room they set aside for guests differently; top room, pink room, green room, sun room, or whatever you will. But anything is better than spare,” with all the various uncomfortable things that term implies I Whichever way you look at it, it does not convey anything particularly pleasant. You may think of it as something spare or meagre or in its other sense as something extra and not used in the usual way. One feels at once that a spare room will be cold and sparsely furnished, or overfurnished with the junk which the rest of the rooms have rejected. But “ guest ” room! That, I think, implies something special. So does any room that we have bothered to christen.

Let your guest room be a sunny room —a room it will be a joy to wake up in. If the early morning sun does not look in at its window, then suggest sunshine in yellow or warm-coloured walls or hangings. Let the room be fairly large, if possible, especially if it is your only guest . room and must sometimes house two people. In that case, too, it is as well to have two of as many things as possible, certainly two mirrors and two beds, two chairs, and plenty of room for iclothes.

Apart from all this, there are various items often forgotten which are always appreciated in a guest room. ■. A table or desk for writing is always useful, ami should be set in or near a window; Of little use these if the ink is forgotten,or left to dry in its: well. And pen and blotting, paper will not be" amissi . A bedside table is also useful, particularly "if breakfast is to be taken-in bed some:times. A; few books add an air offriendliness .+0 a room; and these should be chosen with tare.’ Let those books be sub'll that ydur'guests will be glad to

read them. You may even care to alter the little library according to the friend who is visiting you. Pictures, if any, should be few and unobtrusive—good prints or small water colours being the happiest choice, or if you want to be very gay or unusual, try a poster. Some of our Empire posters, particularly, make a very happy and cheerful note in a room. But with either pictures or posters there is no reason why they should not be taken down and changed from time to time. Include an armchair in the effects if. you can, for it should be possible (for your own and your guests’ sakes) for them to rest in their room sometimes in comfort. Let there be as- well one upright chair at least. It will be needed for writing, and for clothes at night.

In the wardrobe let there be a few hangers, and if possible some shoe-trees. Such a comfort these things are to the traveller who has not room for them fin a small case. An ash-tray and a paper basket are other items often forgotten but always appreciated. A reading or bedside lamp is a great comfort, and where electric light is not installed allow your guest matches and a candle. It is an unhappy thing to wake up in a strange room in a strange house and not be able to find a light. Let there be fresh water and a glass also; it is equally unhappy to wake up with a dry throat or a thirst and be unable to quench it without disturbing the whole house!

Some large households or small houses cannot run to a guest room, we know, but where many people have rooms to themselves it should be possible for one room to be regarded as a potential guest room. Those fond enough of their friends will be only too willing to give up their rooms sometimes, and will have their rooms furnished with this idea at least half in mind. In such a household most of the larger rooms should be furnished with two beds so that a certain amount of turning and turning about can be done. A camp bed is invaluable, as it can be set up at a moment’s notice without spoiling the effect of a room that in the usual way prefers to be single. bed need be the draughty or uncomfortable thing often imagined. A good mattress and plenty of clothes on the mattress as well as over it will ensure that the most particular sleep comfortably and warm. Divans also are boons and blessings to the rather full household.

If there is no gas fire in your guests room see that it is warmed up somehow on a cold winter’s day. An oil stove may not be ornamental, but it is very, very useful, and, if you wish, you can always remove it while the guest is in possession. Last but not least, see that a few fresh flowers help you to make your guest more welcome. —Answers.