Summer may be synonymous with long weekends away, but don’t forget about the company coming by. Here, design pros show how to create welcoming, cozy spaces for both surprise visitors and longtime inhabitants.
Upstate Abode
Mother-and-daughter design duo Suzanne and Lauren McGrath knew that the interiors of their clients’ mountain retreat in the Adirondacks needed to speak to its surroundings. “The house has such beautiful views from every angle, so we wanted that to take center stage,” says Lauren. “We chose soft, painterly colors and a neutral backdrop to let the outside in.” The eggshell, seafoam and taupe hues yield muted backdrops for a collection of vintage rattan, wicker and twig furniture appropriate to the area, giving the spaces a layered, collected effect. For both the homeowners and their guests (they entertain throughout the summer and play host to an annual family reunion), comfort was paramount: “You can sink into the furniture and relax,” she notes. As such, they outfitted guest rooms in a variety of ways. One features a pair of twin beds, a must in a vacation house, Suzanne maintains, while another has a simple upholstered bed with an Indian blanket at the foot. The designers particularly like to use vintage blankets and coverlets in guest spaces. “It’s an inviting accessory and adds color and pattern,” says Suzanne. “They don’t have to match—it throws things off a little and feels timeless.” The designers also suggest outfitting rooms with a desk and cozy chair for lounging. Adds Lauren, “It’s always nice to have a bookshelf stocked with easy reads, a nice glass on the bedside table and fresh flowers.” For them, small, thoughtful details create a welcoming landing spot away from home.
In upstate New York, Studio McGrath designed a mountain escape with Joan Heaton Architects that boasts sweeping views and interiors that are both relaxed and inviting.
Country Idyll
“The idea was a deconstructed house,” architect Steve Giannetti says of the vision for the Franklin, Tennessee, property he shares with his wife and designer, Brooke. “The guest rooms are separate from the main house and entertainment space, so it feels like its own self-contained world.” While the buildings share a palette that references the greens and earth tones of the gardens around the couple’s 1850s log cabin, the guest quarters make visitors feel transported. “It was inspired by our travels to the Cotswolds, and the quirky places we’ve stayed,” says Brooke. While the open layout feels modern, antique barn wood frames the ceiling; the hearth is clad with rough-hewn stone; Inchyra textiles from Scotland cover the walls and ceiling; and the roll-arm sofa and Gustavian chairs would feel right at home in a cozy English cottage. To welcome visitors, says Steve, “There are always fresh eggs and flowers with pottery from our studio.” There’s even an extra car for guests to use. “It gives them a layer of independence,” says Brooke, and allows guests “the chance to feel what it’s like to live here.”
Cozy Corner
“We wanted it to feel like a warm hug, so everything is very cozy and indestructible,” designer Melissa Rohani says of the multipurpose pool and guest house on her clients’ Ventura County, California, property. She and her partner at Studio Gutow, Lisa Berman, opted for warm, earthy shades with durable tongue-and-groove Douglas fir ceilings, flagstone flooring and raw wood cabinetry that underscores an overall rustic feeling. The relaxed vibe extends to the furnishings, which are mostly vintage and intended for heavy use. “The clients love that their guests don’t have to worry about putting a coaster down or a popsicle spilling on the floor,” says Rohani, who adds, “Everything is uber functional to fit as much in as tiny a space as possible.” The kitchen island, for instance, doubles as a table and can be moved outside for gatherings or for overnight guests to use for work. “Visitors need to have a spot other than a bed,” notes the designer. But when it does come to the bed, the designer advises, “If you can fit a king size, you should.”
