What We're Loving This November

It’s that magical time again - the guest room is about to earn its keep. Whether your visitors are flying in from New York, driving down from Yorkshire, or popping over from Paris, it’s your moment to play “host with the most”. Think of your guest room as a festive mini-hotel suite, only with better snacks and fewer confusing light switches.

Start with the basics: fresh sheets (ideally not the ‘spare' ones that have seen better holidays) and a plumped-up duvet worthy of a five-star stay. Add layers - a throw for chilly nights, extra pillows for lounging, and maybe a cheeky hot water bottle for bonus points.

Then comes the magic: twinkling fairy lights, a sprig of evergreen on the nightstand, and perhaps a candle that whispers ‘cosy chalet chic’. Don’t forget the essentials, such as a carafe of water, the Wi-Fi password, and a small tray with festive nibbles (because midnight snacks are universal).

Finally, add your secret weapon - Maison Flaneur charm. A thoughtful book, a vintage trinket, or a playful print that says, 'Welcome home (for a few days’). Holiday hospitality? Nailed it.

Let’s be honest, no room is truly finished until it smells incredible. The ultimate styling secret? Scent. It’s the invisible layer that transforms your space from ‘nice’ to ‘whoa, what is that smell?’ (in the best possible way).

Candles are the easiest route to olfactory bliss - part décor, part mood-maker, 100% essential. Start with the base note of your vibe: warm and woody for winter nights, fresh and citrusy for morning pep, or something musky and mysterious for a moment of allure. Bonus points if the candle vessel looks chic enough to double as art once it’s burned down - good glassware or reusable vessels are very satisfying to collect.

Cluster candles in odd numbers, mix heights, and let them glow together for that soft, flattering light that makes everyone look like they’ve had eight hours of sleep. And always light them before guests arrive - it’s like spritzing perfume on your home.

The right scent lingers long after the evening’s over, wrapping the room (and your guests) in a memory they’ll never quite shake. So, is the ultimate layer cashmere or velvet? Well no, it’s scent, and, darling, it’s unforgettable.