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’Tis the Season for Guests Arriving. The tree is trimmed, the stockings are hung, and the doorbell is about to chime.

Family and friends are on their way to spend the holiday with you and yours. But what can you do to make your overnight guests feel right at home? Think, “Boutique Hotel” and you’re well on your way.

We gathered a few of our favorite things reminiscent of a boutique hotel in our House Guest Checklist:

BEDROOM

1. CRISP BED LINENS
You can never go wrong with crisp, white sheets.

2. FRESH FLOWERS
I say every room should have fresh flowers! It brings life and beauty to everything.

3. PERSONALIZED TOUCHES
To make your guests feel at home, think of the little things that make a big difference, like this personalized TV guide. If you know your guests love traveling and history be sure to include picks such as the Travel Channel, National Geographic, and the History Channel to their personalized TV guide. They will notice your hospitality and thoughtfulness!

4. WRITING DESK OR VANITY
Placing a mirror above a writing desk adds versatility, as this desk can now be used as a vanity for the guest while they are getting ready for the day. We love having one furniture piece that can be used in different ways.

5. PRETTY STATIONARY
Note cards and pencils or pens placed on the desk completes the “Boutique Hotel” feel.

BATH

6. FLUFFY TOWELS AND POSH BATH MAT
Who doesn’t love fluffy white towels and a soft, cozy bath mat?! Anything reminiscent of a luxury hotel is key in making your guests feel right at home.

7. MORE FRESH FLOWERS

8. LUXURIOUS TOILETRIES
One of our favorite places to find pretty packaged soaps and lotions is World Market. You can instantly add color and luxury with special soaps like this.

9. COORDINATED COLORS
Touches of the same colors used in the guest room(s) makes the bathroom feel connected to the bedroom – even if it is down the hall.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this checklist and that you have a wonderful holiday with family and friends!

If you’re planning to build a new home or start a renovation project, there are those important, yet sometimes confusing decisions you’ll need to make. Especially when it comes to selecting what things are made of, like kitchen and bath plumbing fixtures – even the things you don’t see, like valves and cartridges.

You know you want everything to be beautiful, but the variety out there can be a bit overwhelming. Here are some helpful hints to take the guesswork out of the process. There are several different metals and options regarding just what your faucet or fixture is made of. There’s brass, steel, zinc, plastic…but which one should you choose?

Here’s a quick-glance list of the pros and cons of each:

BRASS
Long lasting
More expensive

STEEL
Tend to rust
Less expensive

ZINC
Least expensive of the metal options
Least durable of the metal options

PLASTIC
Very low cost
Very limited life-span

Valves are the next thing that you must ensure is of good quality. What you can’t see matters. Brass workings and valves are the best of the best, while plastic and steel are not known for their durability. Ceramic, being impervious to sand and sediment, is the best quality for cartridges.

VALVE TYPES:

COMPRESSION VALVES
Two-handle faucets
Washers wear out over time
Washers are easily replaced

BALL VALVES
Single-handle faucets
Reliable
Difficult to repair

SLEEVE-CARTRIDGE VALVES
Lift-and-Turn faucet
Wear well
Easily repaired

CERAMIC-DISK VALVES
Both single and double-handle models
Extremely durable
Rarely leaks
Easily repaired

Selecting the best materials will help your new construction or remodel project last in the most beautiful way.

The next step is to select the finishes. There’s a wide-range of options, which we’ll introduce in Series II of “Helpful Hints – Kitchen and Bath Fixtures.”