We had a small, empty corner in our dining room that housed a chair that turned into a catch-all for our junk. It was a bit of an eyesore and a poor use of space. So, with a bit of Joanna Gaines inspiration, I made plans to make a coffee bar! What would be more hospitable than a special corner stocked with everything coffee and tea related? I started with an old sewing table that belonged to my grandmother. It was pretty beat up so I cleaned it off and gave it a fresh coat of paint. My darling husband gave me this Magnolia mug rack for my birthday. We got a small piece of granite that looks like carrera marble for the table top. We hung the mug rack and set up the table with my espresso maker, Chemex, and a mug full of spoons. We were in business! I loved the progress we made, but I knew we could do better. The blank wall above the table had potential. I went browsing around a local antique shop and found some amazing brackets. They were perfect for some shelves. They were black, but a bit beat up so they looked vintage. They matched the sewing table base perfectly. I just bought some wood, cut it, stained it, and attached the wood to the brackets. Then we hung our shelves. It looked great! Then I got to style them. Over the summer I found some lovely glass canisters at an antique shop down the shore (East Coast speak for a town by the ocean, usually in NJ). I filled them with coffee beans and put them on my top shelf. I used the bottom shelf to house my charming Downton Abbey teapot from World Market, as well as a sugar bowl and my precious little cow creamer. I love it!

The coffee bar is always a statement. People love the design and complement our antiques and various mugs. The coffee bar really gets to shine for brunch. We love hosting brunch with friends and family. It’s the best time of day for people with young kids- it doesn’t require a sitter and it’s usually before afternoon naps happen. Everyone lines up to use our coffee bar and takes time picking out the perfect mug. It also makes the daily ritual special. I love seeing the cute layout as I pass it during the day.

There’s also flexibility. For example, we hosted a Quizzo night at our house a few months ago. My husband hired our area’s quizzo queen to come and we invited friends to come and form teams. It was so fun! For this night, I switched out the coffee bar for a wet bar. I brought down all the liquor, mixers, and pretty cocktail glasses and displayed them on the shelves and table. I put all the coffee supplies away. I also had an ice bucket out so people could make themselves a cocktail in between rounds. Everything they needed was in one place, and it looked pretty. I don’t want to seem overly focused on people’s reactions.

It’s not about making your house look perfect or magazine-worthy. It’s about hospitality. I believe having everything our guests need in a clean, attractive setup makes them comfortable. It’s just my way of loving them. I go to the trouble of making the little details nice because I want anyone who comes through our door to feel valued and loved. It’s my way of saying, “You’re always welcome here, and we’re so glad you came.”

When my husband and I were engaged, we went through a 7-week marriage prep series with a mentor couple. The material was great and the couple was so supportive. During marriage prep we decided part of our mission as a family was to have a home of hospitality. What the heck does that mean?

Well, good question. The short answer is we want everyone who enters our home to feel welcomed, honored, and comfortable. What a nice idea! But how exactly do we do that? Doesn’t everyone want that? I’m sure no one invites people over and has no desire for them to be happy or welcomed. Who would do that? What we’re going for is intention. I don’t want people to think, “Wow. She’s organized.” I want them to think, “Wow. We feel so at home here.” I want them to feel valued. I don’t want a pat on the back to show off my skills. I want people to feel important, to feel worthy of a fuss. Don’t we all need that reminder? We are all worth fussing over. This isn’t just about how you present your home for the annual Christmas party. This is about welcoming people in regularly. It’s about always being ready to host, never turning someone away who arrives unexpectedly. You’re not just opening a door; you’re sharing your life with them. The decor, the photos, even the paint colors. All of this is a reflection of the home’s inhabitants, so show them who you are! Share life with them!

Our home has been used for so many occasions. We’ve had various birthday parties, Christmas gatherings, family holidays, Bible studies, marriage prep, quizzo, quiplash tournaments, fantasy football drafts, baby showers, you name it! Friends ask us to host meetings or parties because our home is always ready. We welcome people without hesitation (for the most part) and we love that. Even my introverted husband is passionate about this. He wants people to come to our home so we can show them love and support.

We have so many cherished memories with family and friends within these walls. I also want to add that we don’t have a large home! We live in a city twin home that is plenty of room for us but by no means big. I think there’s a misconception that you need lots of space to be a good host. There are ways to make a big impression in a small space. People can be comfortable and close. Our house might end up a bit cozier and less glamorous, but it’s home. We like being close. We like bringing people home.