i
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Ilaria - Community Manager

Question of the Week: What are your best decorating tips?

Hi everyone,

From matching carpets and curtains to company logos sewn into the towels – it’s often the little touches that make your property stand out from the rest.

What are your top decorating tips?

Do you put flowers in your entrance so guests arrive with a smile? How often do you redecorate your property? Do you decorate your bedrooms a little differently from each other?

Share your top tips below to help other partners make their properties look more beautiful than ever.


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Salih 4 years ago

Dear Booking.com team

Listing on North Cyprus Famagusta / Property : Ingate in Famagusta / Ismet Inonu Bulvari , 88, 9900 Famagusta, Cyprus. = is not a legal property, Its made on greek title not a turkish one , this not right to take reservation from booking.com. We request to close to take reservations from you.

Ingate in Famagusta also dont have extranet (becouse its on north cyprus but not on a Turkish title, the title is greek)
Reservations come from one of travel agency via booking.com

here is the copy :

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: yeni rez : *** ***
Date: 2019-04-18 05:26
From: Terracota Cyprus <***>
To: reservation@ingatehotel.com

Oteliniz adına tarafımza gelen 1 adet yeni rezervasyon bilgilerini
aşağıda bilgilerinize sunarım;

MİSAFİRİNİZDEN 69EURO SİZ ALIN LÜTFEN!!!!

Müşteri İsmi: *** ***

Müşteri Tel ;+*** [1]

Giriş Tarih :18/08/2019

Çıkış Tarihi : 19/08/2019

Toplam Gün Sayısı :1

Toplam Kişi Sayısı : 2 adults, 1 child (5 years old)

Oda Sayısı :1 Adet

DELUXE DOUBLE OR TWIN ROOM WITH CITY VIEW-69EURO*1GECE=69EURO

Meal OptionsBreakfast is included in the room rate.

***

Links:
------
[1] tel:+***

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

Nice topic!

The interior we have is colourful and simple.

We went with the Dutch theme: Red White and Blue.

And a neutral colour for curtains, think linen.

The table top is from IKEA and the frame underneath my husband welded.

That is so strong, it will last forever. We sand it every year, and oil it.

The kitchen is plywood and will also last a long time, it needs some oiling again soon, but that's all we do to it.

Flowers: I don't buy them, but when in season I get them from the garden. They are crazy expensive to buy here in New Zealand. So guests will find home-made bouquets.

I tend to keep things simple since that suits the 60th style we have.

The atmosphere is "scandy" as someone described it. Lots of wood, even the floors, with some metal furniture, art on the wall makes it warm, and the bedspread adds the finishing touch, which is home made and natural. The natural elements are bringing a nice balance to it all. Also the cushions are made of linen.

The blinds are linen colour, but I just had someone complain about the "see-through" risk, (not that anyone walks there at night time) but I will make sure the linen curtains will be added. That will add to the cosiness of the space. The sofa is velvet and needs upgrading after 4 years of use it became thin. So that will get a new jacket and inner. The lamp we found in an Auckland shop and was a great match with the red and looks very good with the wooden floor and the blue sofa.

I would advise, don't use more than three colours at once to give the space some calmness.

I am trying hard to keep my pictures the same as the interior, so I swop pictures after I have changed something. ( making sure the online presentation on the listing is the same as reality, not more, not less) And adding ART has proven to give the space a "lift" and something personal and special. Hope you like my sewing art.

Oh and did I mention coffee? The coffee grinder on the wall is both practical, colorful and fun, and the smell when you make your own is definitely a drawing-in factor. Many guests comment on it. A very expensive coffee machine is absolutely no necessity for a successful stay.

Greetings,

Aaltje B.

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

These clogs are ceramic and wood and are very mini, seeing them on the table they appear big, but about two cm big. They are glued next to the door post and give a nice touch.

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

Oh dear, I may have to redo this picture, since it appears on the wrong angle, *too long and it turned by itself ) but you get the idea. I shall see if I can take a better one tomorrow. And I will include the Auckland lamp.

Pretty woody interior, but people love it and it feels like Scandinavian holiday, though we are in the South of New Zealand with a mix of Dutch colours. I will stick to this theme. My favourite holiday home. It was a pleasure to create.

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hi!-Aaltje-B- you are so creative. Your sewing art is incredible. Lovely colors. Your house is very cosy with beautiful little touches that makes it very special for your guests.

Look Aaltje I have same Holland clogs!!! I adore them. In the second picture the clog is from wood and it had inside a sewing kit but I have removed it.

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

Hey Maria, that is really Dutch! We often take a pair with us to wear on the farm, but they only have a short life. (soft wood) so really, best is for decoration. (And taking them in luggage is heavy too!)

But Michael, how did you get the huge Pharao to your house? It is giant.

You can't go around that one, hehe.

What is your guest house' decoration looking like, Maria?

Greetings

Aaltje B.

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

My dear Aaltje B.

My house is an ordinary village house with unexpensive simple furniture but with love ambiance the moment you step in. Luxury in simplicity!!! My colors are very warm and close to nature. No curtains so I can admire the view of the blue sea and the mountains in the morning and in the night when going to sleep feel like I am under the stars and when we have a full moon who can sleep.... I have little souvenirs like the Dutch clogs, here and there reminding me of the exciting memories I have from traveling with my husband and friends.

Aaltje I believe that if people are nice and friendly than everything becomes beautiful.

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

Ooh that is very nice, Maria. Warm and inviting. Is this the guesthouse with the fireplace....So it does get cold in winter?

And do I see a piano?

Love the high ceiling too! And the real wooden beams. We pay the earth to have that made in NZ. Most are artificial now. Lucky you!

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

And yes, in the end it is about nice and friendly (and clean ;) But if hosts can't be there, the "nice and friendly" should radiate through the property. To do that you need the following ingredients:

A warm heart,

A precious heart,

A radiant heart,

A unique heart,

A determined heart,

A transparent heart,

A loving heart.

If you have a heart like that, all the other things fall into place. And guests will just know: The place has a good heart.

Greetings

Aaltje B.

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fluff 4 years ago

Speaking from a hotel POV,

Simple, clean, warm, WASHABLE and easily repairable basic decoration. Colour added by soft furnishings that can be easily cleaned or replaced as required.

The right lighting is also very useful to create a comfortable enviroment.

@ Aaltje B.

A confession, I don't know why but I always read your name here "Auntie B" !

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Aaltje B No there is no piano. My son is a composer and he plays piano but unfortunately we don’t have one. It’s a dream....maybe some day. Wood is fantastic but too expensive. My father was a carpenter and I love wood. Our house is up the hills so it does get cold in winter. It usually snows once or twice a year and sometimes even more. Heating is too expensive. I
I love your nice and friendly recipe . I think I have all the ingredients handy so tonight I will cook since my guests are arriving in a couple of hours for Easter time.
Well said my dearest.

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

Hahaaaa Fluff,

Aaltje in Dutch is pronounced as Aaltjuh

Since many break their tongue over it, I made it Ella in New Zealand.

But if you want to call me Auntie, go ahead, Fluff, haaaa, quite honoured.

My twin is called Dientje (Dientjuh) and many call her Dina. So there you go. Names....It's quite special and personal. Most of the time people are quite proud of their names since they are given by parents and that is very unique.

Greetings from Auntie Aaltje. ;)

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Aiboutiquehotel 4 years ago

Hi team

Namaste and warm greetings to everyone from Kathmandu Nepal.

It reflect the sign of good luck and make customer feel good vibe.

Welcome to Kathmandu Nepal.

See you soon.

Greetings from

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hi! Aiboutiquehotel thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures with good vibes.
Take care!!!

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Aaltje your name is certainly very special. Pronouncing it is a little hard like you said. Ella is so easy but I prefer Aaltje even though after so many months I cannot spell it right.
Cheers!!!

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

The flowers must smell so nice coming into the house at Aiboutiquehotel !

Maria: My name is actually typically Dutch because,

Aaltje means little Aal

Tafeltje means little table

Autotje means little car (auto) etc.

To add this tje thing to a name is really cute. or je Brechje, Martje, Marietje, Jantje, Daantje, Dientje, Aaltje, hehe.

I have never seen this use of grammar in the English language or in any other language. So we must have a rich language.

Not to speak about all the exceptions.....

Nice talking to you again Maria.

Greetings

Aaltje B.

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Shikwari Game … 4 years ago

We completed a new suite last August. I did all the soft furnishing myself as this is quite an expensive outlay if others do the work; I have time and enjoy it. We went with a Black and White pallet with mustard yellow accents. All our guests have love the room. Each of our rooms are a different colour. Some have more antique furniture which was done by the previous owners but all the colour was us. I can live without coulour. The room must also work so there is place for luggage and hook for clothes in the bathroom. I have been to many place where I had to place my clothes on the toilet or on the floor. Can't understand why establishments do this.

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

Dear Enquiries. Thank you for posting your photo! That looks very tasteful and inviting And spacious!! No lack of room here!! You have done very well by doing the furnishings yourself since that is hard work. You could certainly advertise with tasteful spacious rooms. (Guessing the other rooms are similar). I also have this set-up for my beds and guests can request twin (two times one) or super king bed. I am amazed at the number of people who request twin beds. And have to be creative with all the bedding - and storage for summer/winter. It keeps us on our toes.

Now the guests, haha

They will come.

Wishing you lots of enjoyment hosting,

Greetings

Aaltje B.

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fluff 4 years ago

@ Auntie B ;-) [normal service will be resumed on next post]

Referring to your delightful "tje" suffix for little.

As you know English is not just a Latin/Greek mix but has much Viking/Roman/French/others? woven in as well. To whit, we have stolen the French suffix "ette". (Even the name Annette means little Ann)

So we can say tablette (though we now pronounce it tab-let), kitchenette, cigarette etc.

Aren't languages great when you dig a "little".

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Aaltje B. wow!!!! even your name has its personal and interesting story....

Thanks for your giving us all this information.

fluff, I love digging in languages. Our grammar is full of digging.....Greek children have hard time in schooll with having to dig in ancient Greek and Latin.

Smile....

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hi! -Shikwari-Game-Reserve your place is warm and cozy. I love your pillows and bed spreads.

My Studio has only a big king size bed and a double bed which is more appropriate for big children or for couples that like sleeping cheek to cheek with amazing view to sea, mountains and stars...

Cheers!!!

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

Hey Maria,

View...I think you shared a picture once with your amazing view! That is what attracts guests.

And you may also have birds singing?

Going slightly off track here, since we're talking decorating, weren't we..haha.

Decorating, a big yes, since we don't want hospital like / clinically looking spaces.

But it is easy to overdo it, and who is doing all the dusting and cleaning...

This is a fine line also.

Clutter free is the main thing to me.

Enjoy your guests Maria. Wishing you a great season.

We are busy preparing, a few more weeks to go, then you will not see my face so much for a while.

Preparing for holiday can be quite stressful, so will make notes during holiday about great experiences! :):)

Many greetings for now.

Aaltje B.

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

Making notes during holiday about great experiences, to counteract all the stress preparing, I meant. This will make it worthwhile.

And then decorate the house with the best photos I took overseas, who knows one for the guesthouse.

Greetings,

Aaltje B.

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Rialina2002 4 years ago

Like Aaltje said in one of the comments "Simple, clean, warm, WASHABLE and easily repairable basic decoration. Colour added by soft furnishings that can be easily cleaned or replaced as required." I have had guests eating some oily stew ON the bed, even though there is a dedicated eating area, and I had to through away bed cover, sheets and mattress cover... which fortunately had a plastic underlining. I have had guests knocking pictures off the wall. So really it does not inspire me to go out of my way anymore!

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

Hi Rialina,

Thank you for your reply.

The washable comment is so true, and yes, It inspires me to create a special page in my visitors book, to tell them: Food at the table, please. Not on the bed.

Red tomato and fat stains are notorious for longterm prints to remind you of careless behaviour.

Would they do it in their own houses? Since you see it often in advertisements and films, how people spoil themselves with breakfast in bed, juices, wines and all.

In New Zealand, many people don't have tables to dine at. The average home has a couch in front of TV. That really annoys me. Apart from eating it is also great for doing games, and have a really good talk or discussion.

So having a table with good dining chairs invites them to sit there eating food.

Wishing you lots of tidy and careful guests, Ria :)

Greetings

Aaltje B.

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Martina Stoecker 4 years ago

Room Poseidon's decoration..... easy, clear and welcoming.......

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Aaltje B. Thanks for your kind comments. Yes my view attracts guests and makes them to want to stay more and more. Birds are singing all the times, especially in Spring, don’t forget the roosters waking us in the mornings....ha..ha...
Country living....
Wish you all the best.

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Martina, white and clean with simple and friendly decoration.
Very welcoming....

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Rialina2002 4 years ago

Martina, that room is gorgeous, but I hate to think the upkeep of all that white. Aaltje, I have a dedicated eating room adjacent to the room, with table, chairs, fridge, toaster oven, electric kettle, coffee maker, plus pantry. If people do not use it, as far as I am concerned, it is because they are careless and rude.

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Forgetit7777 4 years ago

I believe that having a theme when decorating makes it easier.

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

Hey Fluff,

Ah, I never realized that additional French "ette" means little, but of course, you are right! And I should have known since learned French when in high school for five years!! Pardon me! Love language! But never learned Greek. But that's another story.

Have a great summer Fluff, I am off to Holland soon. Feeding my cultural hunger again and meeting family, and having spring and summer for a second time. Not bad!

Cheery,

Aaltje B.

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Magradzetamar74 4 years ago

Hello, Hello
My Guest House is called Green House. It's on the Black Sea Shore and at the same time, it's nestled in woodland.
Therefore the theme we have is related to the green color.
Most of the decorations are plants.

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Green...green...green Plants are very nice. I love taking care of them and watch them grow day by day...
Thanks for sharing your green great house...

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Magradzetamar74 4 years ago

My Green House New Year decorations were also mostly green :-)

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Oh! how beautiful!!! Green color is very exceptional...
Take care...