Style Freak: The Pampered Visitor

by Pam Edwards on Jan 5, 2012

Styling by Pam Edwards • Photography by Jennifer Dagdagan

Although not everyone needs to be fussed over, there are those of us who admittedly need special attention. When Stephen and I travel, it can be stressful — and we have horror stories to prove it. Thank goodness for the GPS my in-laws gave us, because we now can blame something else for our stupidity. We are very map-challenged and get all turned around and flustered. Since I’m the better driver and he’s an ace navigator, I do a bit of driving while he strains his eyes finding the spot on the map, reads signs and verbally maneuvers me through the streets.

Thankfully, we’ve had the mostly good fortune to be treated well: the decent bed, the home-cooked meal and the gentle guidance from our pals about where to go and what to do when they are otherwise occupied. It is a magical thing when one feels so pampered that when you return home you are truly feeling rested. God bless the host who understands that simple luxuries, good planning and tasty snacks go a long way toward making the traveler feel comfortable and welcome. Here are my own tips and tricks for how to pamper your next houseguest.

After helping guests unpack and whetting their appetites with some tasty snacks from local specialty shops, it’s time for a visit to catch up. I also keep sparkling water and fresh fruit on hand for refreshments while we chat.

Sweet yet spicy pecans set out in an attractive silver bowl are a terrific snack that can lift the weary traveler’s spirits. I would make these myself but the chef who creates this delicacy told me the recipe — and after the thorough explanation I simply asked, “How much?”

I like to splurge on great sheets. They don’t always match the pillowcases, but the high thread count makes up for all that. Memory foam on top of the mattress is just about the greatest invention I’ve ever experienced, and it feels luxurious! We have a good mattress, but once we added the foam it guaranteed a few more stars to our visitors’ ratings.

Because I love saturated, drenched colors, I keep a pretty lively palette in the house and the guest bedroom, but the key is to keep it gender-neutral. It doesn’t say male or female, it just reads as artistic. (At least we hope so.) One friend has a little cry whenever she has to return home because the peaked ceiling of our guest room brings on sweet nostalgic memories of her childhood bedroom. This guest appreciates the smallest gesture so much we finally just named the room after her.

Comfy seating is something I actually obsess about. It might be an age thing, but once one gets a taste of a decent place to plant yourself and put your feet up, it’s hard to go back to anything less cushy. This snug armchair and stool actually don’t match, but both are so well made and substantial that they suit everyone just fine.

We enjoy our friends with children but eventually it’s time for adult talk. We’ve found that kids really appreciate movies on hand and Netflix. I keep headphones handy because our house is on the small side, and the deafening noise of buildings blowing up or screaming horror films can really rattle my nerves. There is a basket of card games, concession-type snacks and assorted sodas. I love spoiling the kids almost more than the adults because the hugs of appreciation are worth their weight in gold. Basically it’s my goal to make sure everyone is comfortable — even the visiting pet.

Netflix, candy and the remote wait for visitors' children.

Breakfast comes in many forms at our house, but one of the easiest is the “hearty breakfast.” I get almost everything out and put it on the table before the guests come downstairs. Coffee, juice, different types of bread and jams or jellies from our garden and a bowl of scrambled eggs from our chickens. A decent brand of oatmeal with all the fixings sets everyone up for a great day. In better weather we all migrate outside, mugs of steaming coffee in our hands and the warmest feelings of being with our best friends.

It's breakfast time!

Most of our friends are big readers, and we spend a lot of time discussing books and even reading aloud with one pair of friends. We have quite a collection of books and recently discovered we had room for even more in the second bathroom cupboard. I try to keep a few current magazines around, but the book reviews in the New York Times are a must.

We aren’t always perfect with our hosting and have made a few mistakes along the way. I am notorious for forgetting that one of the daughters-in-law hates onions and garlic. The chickens have been chased by every dog that ever visited, accompanied by my shrill screams.

But as they say, practice makes perfect, and I think we have it just about nailed. Safe — and pampered — travels to you!

A French Cottage Christmas

by Melissa Labberton on Nov 9, 2011

Milford’s family and dining rooms are decked out for the holidays with her “rustic romantic” style. Photos by Andy Sawyer and Chad Bremerman

When Jane Milford first stepped through the door of a charming 1914 French cottage located on a quiet midtown Yakima street, she knew instantly that “God had answered every prayer I’d had for such a house.”

Milford, who owned a home décor store called Found Collections in Seattle, moved to Yakima four years ago. She now creates the displays in Yakima’s Garden Dance/raindance. When Milford moved here, she wanted to find an older home so that she could decorate it with the antiques, vintage furniture and curiosities she had collected over the years.

Get Your First Friday On!

by Jill St. George on Nov 9, 2011

Photos by Jennifer Dagdagan

I’M A PRETTY BUSY GIRL, so nights out for me are few and far between. But in the name of research, I recently had the opportunity to hit up one of downtown Yakima’s First Fridays — a monthly event that has become so popular it’s spread to some establishments on Yakima’s west side.

The first Friday of every month, many downtown businesses are often full to overflowing, with restaurants, wineries and shops offering specials and entertainment for customers who can walk from hangout to hangout. So I grabbed my notepad and my good friend Andrea, and we hit the town for a girls’ night out.

Spice up Your Holiday with these “Drinks Through the Decades”

by Robin Salts Beckett on Nov 9, 2011

by Andy Sawyer -- Photos in gallery below by Chad Bremerman and Andy Sawyer

The holidays usually mean two things: you’re going to eat too much. And you’ll probably enjoy a drink. Or two.
We don’t judge.

But if you’re tired of the ol’ Gin and Tonic and need some inspiration for your wet bar, look no further. In the spirit of television’s recent Mad Men craze, we did a little research on popular drinks from decades gone by, with suggested concoctions following. It’s easy. Just pick an era, and build a party around it. Your guests could even do what we did on the following pages and dress the part.

For folks who prefer mocktails, just replace the alcohol with a non-alcoholic drink such as lemon-lime or club soda (and please, don’t drive after drinking). Salut!

The Thrill of a Winter Bouquet

by Carol Barany on Nov 9, 2011

An arrangement of laurel, hydrangea, ivy, artemisia, burning bush, the dried seed heads of poppy and iris fill a blue and white container in Barany’s living room. Photos by Chad Bremerman

Two years ago, my husband and I hosted friends from Connecticut during a very cold and rainy week in late October. Roseanne, an avid gardener, suggested that we fill the house with arrangements for a special dinner party that we were planning. I lamented that I had absolutely nothing to contribute, because crisp nights had brought the last late bloomers to their knees.

A moment later, confident and with clippers in hand, Roseanne headed out to the garden. “Who says there’s nothing to put in a vase today?” she challenged. As I followed her through my own garden — one I thought I knew intimately — Rosanne directed me to “cut a little of this and a few pieces of that.”

What she created from twigs, conifers, broad leaf evergreens, berries, pods and even a few vegetables was extraordinary.

Style Freak: Come as you are

by Robin Salts Beckett on Sep 8, 2011

Chopped tomatoes tossed with vinaigrette in a pretty blue bowl make a gorgeous side dish.

By Pam Edwards • Photos by Jennifer Dagdagan

It’s time to show off all your hard work before the vestiges of summer are past, to throw a casual dinner party outside in your yard, deck or patio.