| Whether you know it or not, your guests' view of | | | | household. They sit and stare at the beautiful blue |
| you is very much influenced by your guest room; the | | | | and black lapis lazuli and obsidian traditional ornaments |
| room you invite them to when you have them round | | | | and carvings, and the ornamental canopic jars. |
| for coffee or supper. If that's boring they will think | | | | They sit open-mouthed as you explain the history |
| you are too. Not that that should bother you, | | | | behind each one, and point out the blue scarab beetle |
| because they all probably have the same old boring | | | | topped boxes, and relate the stories behind the |
| guest room and think exactly the same about each | | | | sacred scarabs and how they are purported to |
| other. | | | | protect the dead on their journey to the afterlife. It |
| Why not do something about it? Don't you want | | | | doesn't take much; just a few artifacts and a bit of |
| your room to inspire comment? Don't you want | | | | home work, and you will be the talk of the town. |
| people to find your guest room interesting, with so | | | | If you take time to learn just a little bit about the |
| many conversation pieces that you will never run out | | | | Egyptian people and their customs, you will be able to |
| of something to talk about? Surely you want | | | | sound informative as you explain the ritual and |
| somebody to notice your room, rather than just | | | | mythology behind all of your pieces. This will have |
| enter it and take it for granted like all the other | | | | two uses: you will find out a lot about ancient Egypt |
| boring old rooms they enter. | | | | yourself, and you will be able to impress your guests |
| It's unlikely that you have considered Egyptian theme | | | | with your new found knowledge. This will make you |
| décor for your home, but why not give it a | | | | the most popular hostess on the circuit and they |
| try. Liven it up and give them something to talk | | | | won't be able to wait until your turn comes round |
| about. Forget Roman and Greek: they are either | | | | again. |
| boring or a bit lascivious, but Egyptian is magical and | | | | You need not get everything at once. In fact if you |
| mysterious. What with their animal gods and secret | | | | add to your theme slowly over a period of time, you |
| tombs, not to mention the mummies and the curses, | | | | will have fresh material to talk about every time. |
| and the pharaoh's tombs. | | | | There are lots of Egyptian themed items that you |
| Get your guest room livened up. Throw some | | | | can buy and your conversation pieces will be limitless. |
| Egyptian tapestries over the floor and hang a couple | | | | You can purchase genuine Egyptian antiques and |
| on the wall. Get an Egyptian table as a centerpiece | | | | reproductions. Incense burners are inexpensive, and |
| and you have started. Envisage the scene as your | | | | though ancient Egyptian mirrors are unobtainable, |
| visitor enters your front door, and you lead them to | | | | there are many reproductions on the market at |
| your lounge. You throw open the door and right in | | | | reasonable prices. After all, it is the look that matters, |
| front of them is a life-sized statue of the jackal | | | | not the authenticity. |
| headed god of the dead, Anubis. | | | | If you want your invitations to be the most prized in |
| The walls are hung with plaques displaying old | | | | town, and your home to be the most visited, bite |
| hieroglyphs and portrayals of Tutankhamen with his | | | | the bullet and take the first step towards using |
| child bride. Your sofa is upholstered in gold brocade | | | | Egyptian theme décor to turn your lounge |
| piped with the deep blue braid of the Egyptian royal | | | | into a guest room with a difference. |