Hot Drinks Station: Making Guests Feel at Home
To me, nothing is quite as soothing or homey as a warm cup of goodness clasped between your hands. Can I get an “amen”?
My most amazing parents are flying in today {jumping up and down} from New York to visit us in FL for the first time. So, in preparation for their highly-anticipated arrival, I set up a special “hot drinks station” in our guest room. What do you think?
My inspiration came from the Parker Family, a wonderful family of seven in Wheaton, IL, who Mark first met back in his college days. They are one of the most loving and welcoming families I know, and a role model for me in terms of hospitality. When you’re in their home, they make you feel like a special guest, all the while making you feel like part of the gang; it’s a fantastic balance to strike.
During our last visit to their home, we got in late at night – – like everyone’s-in-bed-asleep late at night. We crept downstairs to the guest room, tired, weary, and needing…well…a bit of comfort. And what did my eyes behold when we opened the guest room door, but a Keurig coffee machine, a carousel of K-cups, and a stack of mugs, inviting us to have a cup of Sleepy-Time tea before bed. Sigh. And boy did it ever deliver on the comfort.
That experience clearly made an impression because we ended up investing in a Keurig B-40 (got a great deal with a rebate and 20% coupon through Bed Bath & Beyond…though I’m linking here to my Amazon affiliate shop, for full disclosure) and our very own carousel, which I stocked with a variety of K-cups. Thus, my vision for a hot drinks station in our guest room started to become a reality.
We picked up this cutie cabinet from Home Goods last week; although we’re thinking it might need to be repainted in a blue wash to better match our minty walls, it provides the perfect staging area for the hot drinks station, not to mention the storage for our guests’ clothes if they want to unpack! (Another way guests feel at home.)
And the teacher in me felt the need to write out a set of simple instructions for operating the Keurig. It’s not rocket science; heck, it’s not even science, but for first-timers, it can be a little daunting. Remember the font I created of my own handwriting for my DIY Clothing Labels? Well, I used that font to add some personalization to my typed instructions, printed it out on cardstock, “laminated” it using clear packing tape, and voila! Clear and inviting…I hope!
I added some boxes of tea bags and of course, honey – – my favorite sweetener for tea.
And on the other side, my favorite sugar dish and coffee mugs from Crate & Barrel along with an antique tea cup.
And all atop our Crate & Barrel table-runner. (Can you guess where we registered?)
Oh, the peanut M & Ms, you ask? Just a sweet treat for munching on. And maybe I had to refill the dish after eating half of them in the process of setting up my hot drinks station…and so what if I did?
Just a few more hours until I drive to the airport to pick up my parents. My excitement is nearly impossible to contain. I keep dancing while cleaning.
I’m eager to see my parents for the first time since early August, eager to show them our new digs, and eager to see the hot drinks station in action, doing what it does best: making our guests feel at home.
P.S. The Thinking Closet has reached 50 followers! Wow, the fact that anyone other than my family care to follow my blog amazes me. Thanks to all of my readers out there across the globe. You inspire me to keep creating.
Update!
Check out my new-and-improved Hot Drinks Station along with my Beginner’s Guide to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. {And find out why we moved the station out of the guest room and into our main living space….}
I have been going crazy trying to find your creamer in these pics! I have the sugar “bowl” but cannot find the matching creamer anywhere. Could you please tell me where you got it? Thanks! Your coffee station looks great!!
It was Crate & Barrel back in 2009 when we got married (it was on our registry). You can see if they still make them or if not, take to eBay to see if anyone is selling theirs! Best of luck. And thanks for the kind words, Jessica!
I love this idea. Always fun to have something different
Thanks, Amanda! You can actually check the blog tomorrow for my “new-and-improved” hot drinks station! 😉 Stay tuned….
We did feel right at home! Thanks so much for putting this together…and now we can enjoy every time we visit you! xxoo
That’s right! It’s ready and waiting for Lisbeth later this week, and for you in December! Will have my K-cup carousel properly stocked with an assortment of caffeinated and decaf coffee, as well as yummy chai!
Oh, to have a room dedicated to guests. (sigh) Then to be a guest with a hot drinks station? I think I need to visit Florida, stat! Another great job, Lauren!
Yes, do visit! Maybe around the holidays so we can watch A Christmas Story and share many a laugh while sipping hot drinks. Sound good to you?
pinning this idea! I have a drinks station in my kitchen, but one for the guest room is a fab idea.
Oh, and btw, I’m a twelve-cupper — nothing says ‘love you’ like hot cuppa refills.
12 cupper?! You are allowed that and more as you raise and homeschool your 8 kids. Seriously, you are a rockstar! (And thanks for the pin love.)
I love the color of that cart! I had to click and see the full post, because I love using this shade of green. The drink station is so cute! Not quite sure which party I found you at. There’s a party at my place if you feel like linking up! jedandivy.blogspot.com
Although the green doesn’t quite match our minty walls, it’s really growing on me. Maybe I won’t need to cover it in a blue wash after all! And thanks for the tip on your party. 😉
You are featured this week on Busy Monday at A Pinch of Joy! I hope you will stop by and grab a Featured Button from the Button Box on the sidebar this afternoon. Pinned. Can’t wait to see what else you’ve been working on!
Charlene, thanks for featuring my project on your blog and for the pin. That brings me more than a pinch of joy!
What a lovely way to welcome your guests! Just wonderful. Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Thank you for hosting! Will definitely be back for future parties.
This is soo cute:) Love it!
Gracias, Erin Anne! I had so much fun putting it all together.
Your hot drinks station was featured today at Think Tank Thursday, it’s such a great idea for your guests! Come grab a featured button if you like.
http://www.joyfulhomemaking.com/2012/10/welcome-to-think-tank-thursday-2.html
That’s vundebar! Thanks, Ms. Margo!
Simply charming. Love green things. 🙂
It’s becoming my new favorite color, especially for decorating!
What a nice idea! Who wouldn’t like that? Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Krafty Kat!
This is a cool idea! I’m going to share it with my mother, so when my husband and I visit, she’ll have a nice hot drink station set up for us! 🙂 Thanks for sharing @ Submarine Sunday!
T’onna @ http://www.navywifeypeters.blogspot.com
Ha ha! That’s the way to do it, T’onna. 😉
Wow! What an awesome idea and such a beautiful way to display it!!! I think I may just have to try this for our next guests. Great to see another FL blogger…and not to far either. 🙂 Pinning this so I remember it and following along now so I can see your other great ideas. 🙂
Thanks for the pin and follow; just started following you, too! Florida bloggers…unite!
That’s a lovely idea found you va Mighty craft Mondays
I’m so glad the Parkers inspired me to create it!
This is such a wonderful idea! Anyone would love to stay there. Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday 🙂
That’s my hope! We’re eager to have visitors in our digs…maybe this will entice them!
so lovely. thanks for linking up.
xoxo
ash!!!
Thanks, Ashley! Thanks for hosting such great parties.
This would make me feel so welcome! I think it’s a wonderful idea! We LOVE our Keurig so much! It’s the best. I’d love to have you link up at my party, Creative Me at The Southern Institute. Here’s the link: http://thesoutherninstitute.com/2012/10/creative-me-linky-party-7.html/
I hope to see you there if you have time to add another linky party! It’s a great group of inspiring ladies and a really great community!
Blessings!
Jenny
Yay for Keurigs! So far, we’ve been thrilled. And I linked up at your party; thanks for the invite.
This looks great! Your parents will love it! I hope they have a wonderful stay!
Rebecca
http://www.heronscrafts.blogspot.com
Thank you, Rebecca! Checked out your blog; love your embroidered New York pillow (though I’m a bit biased having been born and raised in NY). 😉
This is such a cute idea! I came from the fivedaysfiveways link party. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Glad you came by; thanks for the encouraging feedback!
I love the green color!
Hey, I have a weekend link party I’d love for you to join if you’d like:
http://westernwarmth.blogspot.com/2012/10/weekend-warmth-6.html
Thanks, Bobi
Thanks! Go green! And thanks for the invite; will definitely pop on by.
As the first beneficiaries of this hot-drinks-station I strongly endorse it! We’ve gone through lots of different hot drinks already. The set-up made us feel so special and welcome! Your directions for the Keurig were very helpful. I was so touched to see one of my mom’s tea-cups (from the china set we used growing up) there, too! The cabinet is such a lovely, tropical touch; great for guest storage and makes us feel like we are truly on vacation. You and Mark are amazing hosts and you have made us feel like your casa is our casa!!
Thanks for initiating our hot drinks station and really making good use of it! I feel utter confirmation that this project was a good idea and is here to stay. I’ve so enjoyed our visit together! Just wish it didn’t have to end.
Ooh me next, me next! I can’t wait to experience the hot drinks station for myself! Save some special Keruig coffee for me! 🙂 Plus, I love that last picture. It’s so profesh! Should be pinned all over pinterest!
We cannot WAIT to have you in our home, Bartle. Whenever you have a break from school and work, let’s book it! You can have all the K-cups you want.
And thanks for the kind words on the pic! I’m having way too much fun editing my photos on Pixlr. It’s free and online. Try it…you won’t be able to stop!
Ooh Pixlr! Never heard of it, but sounds like it will be my biggest new distraction! 🙂 Thanks for the tip! And yes, a trip soon…spoke to MM and PP and got my wheels spinning on how to make it to FL. Maybe a combo trip to see the Lankers and Catheys!
Oooo! You can borrow our second car if you need it to make the trip south – – depending on our works schedules, maybe we could join you!
I love this idea but I’d like to have this in my own bedroom though. I can just see my self waking up in the morning and sipping my tea in bed while reading my emails….. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Haha, now you’re talkin’!
Such a wonderful idea! Hope they enjoy their stay! Thanks for sharing at the Pomp Party! Hope to see you back next week!
You’re so sweet to stop by, Jill – – I know you have a lot of links! And thanks – – we’re having a blast.
What an awesome way to say “Welcome!” Love this…we are moving to FL at the end of this year and will have an actual Guest Room…have to do something like this!
Yay for moving to Florida (we love it) and yay for having a guest room! It’s such a fun part of hosting to be able to offer guests their own special space.
I SO love this idea!!! I must try to set up something like this before our Thanksgiving houseguests arrive! Thank you! 🙂
Thanks, Katherine! I totally recommend that you try it. We’ve made over ten hot drinks since their arrival, so I’d call that a success!
Great drink station! That is such a great idea to have it in the bedroom, especially for guests. I love Homegoods! We have a a huge TJmaxx with Homegoods in it…it’s the best. There are so many great finds there. I don’t go there often though, because my money would be gone…
Thanks, Vanessa. I’m sort of new to the Home Goods train, but it’s clear to see why it’s good to limit your visits there; it was so tough to refrain from buying too many furniture pieces and stick to what we actually needed.