Home Away From Home

Perfect guest room goes beyond pretty By J.W. Elphinstone THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The holidays are around the corner and this year might be the time to offer houseguests more than a couch and extra blanket. Creating an inviting guest room takes thought, time and a little money, but it will take the hassle out of traveling and leave a lasting good impression. "A guest room has to function. It can't just be pretty," says Kevin Sharkey, decorating executive editorial director of Martha Stewart Living magazine. "The content of a good guest room is evergreen. It never changes." Start with the basics. The bed is the central element in the room, and the place where guests will spend most of their time. Nicole Sforza, senior home editor at Real Simple magazine, recommends investing in a good quality mattress, at least a full-sized one,... [read full story]