H O U S E B O O K

We’re happy to welcome you and trust you will have a great stay. Some special highlights of the property are the peaceful, nature-surrounded rooms and the bucolic pastoral land with plenty of space to explore. Please take a few minutes to read through this book carefully, as it contains important information. Though we live on the property, we have designed the guesthouse to be as private as possible. If you have any questions about your stay or are unsure of anything, please don't hesitate to contact us. RJ & John

About Us

Mom, Dad, and 3 boys, ranging from middle school to preschool. In addition to the guesthouse and our home, there’s an art studio (gray building) on the property where we work full-time.

W E L C O M E

Should you need assistance with anything,

please contact John at: (646) 267-4951 

Instagram: @sweetbriarguesthouse

Website: www.sweetbriarguesthouse.com

Scan the QR CODE to view the House Book on your device.

AdDRESS / EMERGENCY NUMBERS

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY please dial 911

NEAREST POLICE STATION

(914) 764-4206 (non emergency)

177 Westchester Avenue

Pound Ridge NY 10576

NEAREST FIRE STATION

(914) 764-5102 (non-emergency)

80 Westchester Avenue

Pound Ridge, NY 10576

NEAREST HOSPITAL

NORTHERN WESTCHESTER EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

(914) 666-1254

400 East Main Street

Mount Kisco, NY 10549

AMBULANCE NUMBER

(914) 764-4545

PROPERTY ADDRESS

233 Salem Road

Pound Ridge NY 10576

CAR SERVICE

Gary (airport transfers)

(917) 817-8174

Maury Rosen

(917) 494-1216

FRONT DOOR / WIFI / TV / MUSIC

Front Door

Locking from the outside: 

1. The Handle needs to be pulled up to the ‘10 o’clock’ position (you'll feel the deadbolts engaged). Let the handle go. 

2. Then touch the keypad with your entire palm to wake it up. Type in the 4 digit code (Code 0021) and hit the ✔ button.

Unlocking from the outside:

Touch the keypad with your entire palm to wake it up. Type in the 4 digit code (Code 0021) and hit the ✔ button.

Locking from inside:

1. Close the door, lift the handle to 1 o'clock position (you'll feel the deadbolts engaged).

2. Let handle go and then turn the dial below to lock.

WIFI

Network: sweetbriar

Password: 20122013

TV

The remote is located on top of the coffee table. Hit the ‘home’ button once the TV is on and wait. Please feel free to connect to your streaming accounts. Netflix is already logged in, feel free to use. PLEX has a lot of movies and TV shows you can watch.

MUSIC 

SONOS speakers in the lounge and dining are Alexa enabled. You can also airplay directly from your phone.

GUESTHOUSE RULES

IN GENERAL

  • NO SMOKING OR VAPING inside the Guesthouse.

  • NO UNREGISTERED GUESTS OR VISITORS allowed on the property. (7 guests maximum.)

  • If anything in the house/property breaks or any major damages occur, PLEASE LET US KNOW IMMEDIATELY and we will remediate as soon as possible.

  • Please do not put suitcases/bags on beds. Please use the luggage racks provided.

  • We want to be respectful to our community, so parties, events, and loud music outdoors in general and during early and evening hours are NOT PERMITTED. Quiet time is 9 PM until 9 AM every day.

  • No photo, video, or film shoots of any kind on the property.

  • Dogs are allowed but must be included in the initial booking. Dogs should be house-trained and well-behaved. Animals should NEVER be left unattended in the guesthouse. No animals on beds, or in the pool. The limit is 2 dogs.

  • PLEASE LOCK THE HOUSE WHEN NOT AT HOME.

INSIDE

  • NO SHOES inside the house; please consider bringing slippers as the lounge and dining area have concrete floors. A mud tray is located by both glass doors.

  • The house has a septic tank system, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING OTHER THAN TOILET PAPER SHOULD BE FLUSHED. Please use the biodegradable waste bags provided for disposal of feminine hygiene products. 

  • Please wipe up spills on the kitchen counter quickly and use heat pads/trivets under hot pots and pans.

  • Equally, the wood floors are an oil finish, not polyurethane. Please wipe up spills quickly.

  • Please be mindful of the dining table’s natural finish and always use heat pads/trivets under hot serveware, pots and pans; coasters for cold drink cups. Wipe away spills and candle wax quickly. Rubbing alcohol will wipe out pen/marker stains, but should be done immediately (rubbing alcohol under the kitchen sink).

  • Please DO NOT leave candles and open wood-burning stove unattended. Please follow all guidelines for using the wood-burning stove (see below).

OUTDOORS

  • Only use tableware designated for outdoors when dining outside (located in the cabinet above the fridge). NO GLASS in or around the pool. That includes beer bottles, wine bottles etc.

  • We spray regularly for MOSQUITOS and TICKS, so they should typically be minimized but not eliminated. Please be mindful of open doors/windows during evening hours. If you use the screen doors, please make sure the AC is turned off.

  • Guest children MUST be supervised by an adult at all times outside of the guesthouse especially in the pool area, inside the pool, and the fire pit.

  • Please keep the common areas (i.e. pool area) clean and remove all belongings when not occupying the space.

POOL

  • For your safety and protection, please read these rules and precautions before using the pool.

  • The pool is open by Memorial weekend and closes sometime in September. Opening and closing dates are determined by the weather.

  • Please DO NOT BRING GLASS in or near the pool. That includes beer bottles, wine bottles, etc.

  • No diving, running, or rough play.

  • Please do not use the pool under the influence of alcohol, or narcotics, or if you are ill.

  • NO animals are allowed in the pool.

  • Children under the age of 14 MUST BE SUPERVISED at all times by an adult. Toddlers must wear a swim diaper.

  • Absolutely no electrical appliances should be used in or near the pool.  

  • Please keep the common areas (i.e. pool area) clean and remove all belongings when not occupying the space.

  • Pool umbrella ‘opening instructions’ are located at the back of the printed House Book and the bottom of this page.

GUESTHOUSE NOTES

POOL is shared with the owners.  Pool towels are located inside the white cabinet in the laundry room.

CELL SERVICE in the area is spotty but we have strong wi-fi service in the Guesthouse and the pool area.

TRASH/RECYCLING Please dispose of your garbage in the trash cans. If trash or recycling builds up, you can dispose of it at the trash receptacles near our house. Dark green is trash (please keep bungee strap on for raccoons), and blue is recycling. Food trash is located under the kitchen sink. Please do not dispose of perishables in the regular or recycling trash bins.

PLANTS live in the Guesthouse. We ask that our guests don’t water them.  We have them on a schedule.

WATER from the kitchen cold water faucet is filtered and safe to drink.

EMERGENCY KIT, reusable SHOPPING BAGS, and UMBRELLAS are located in the wooden trunk by the entrance glass door.

HIGH CHAIR is located in a bag behind the small closet door underneath the stairs.

PACK-AND-PLAY is located in the downstairs bedroom closet, on the floor. There are sheets in a plastic box in the same location.

SLEEPER SOFA bedsheets are located under the bed in the downstairs bedroom. The duvet is located in the bedrooms closet.

IRON ironing board and drying rack are located in the utility closet under the stairs (in a basket).

EXTENSION CORD is located in the utility closet under the stairs (in the basket).

CLEANING SUPPLIES are located under the kitchen sink and inside the bathroom bins.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS (2) one is located under the kitchen sink and the other is in a basket over the washing machine.

NEST THERMOSTATS (2) one is located on the ground floor hallway controlling downstairs and the other upstairs at the landing for controlling upstairs.

GRILL is located at the back of the Guesthouse. Remove the cover and store it on the bottom shelf of the grill. The gas needs to be TURNED ON at the tank before use (remember to TURN OFF at the tank when finished). Please clean the grates with the grill brush after use. Replace the cover once the grill has cooled down. There will be a second gas tank located near the wood stack outside.

EXTRA TOWELS are located in the white cabinet in the laundry room. The pool towels are located there also.

STRING LIGHTS can be turned on/off using the switch on the black smart plug behind the grill.

EV Charger is there for your use. It is a Tesla charger but has a universal plug J1772 on it. Tesla vehicles will need an adapter (that comes with car) to charge.

GAMES and BOOKS are located in the TV room cabinet.

TOWN CENTER of Pound Ridge’s commerce area is called Scotts Corners (10 minute drive). There, you will find a supermarket, pharmacy, post office, gas station, restaurants, coffee shops, and a variety of shopping stores.

TRAIN STATION nearby is Katonah Train Station (Metro-North, Harlem Line). 7858+RC Katonah, New York

FOOD / GROCERY DELIVERY we use Grubhub/Seamless and UberEats for food. Fresh Direct and Whole Foods deliver groceries. Please note that delivery times may be long so plan accordingly.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLIANCES

COOKTOP/OVEN

The oven has an induction range and convection oven capability. Just be aware that induction stove tops can heat up very quickly (quicker than gas in some cases). Keep that in mind when you first start using it. If the screen is locked, simply press on the lock button for 3 seconds. Please refer to the manual located in a white binder inside the TV room cabinet if you’re unfamiliar with an induction range. PLEASE RUN THE VENT WHEN COOKING UNTIL THE SMELL HAS CLEARED.

MICROWAVE

Please use the dome cover when heating food to avoid splatters on the microwave walls.

DISHWASHER

Pods and rinse aid are located under the sink. Please thoroughly scrape food off into the food trash. Rinsing is not necessary. It’s easiest to just press AUTO and then START then close.

WASHING MACHINE AND DRYER

Laundry pods and dryer sheets are located above the machines. Laundry pods go into the drum with clothes (not in detergent drawer).  After turning on the “ON” button, use the dial to select the wash/dry mode.

WOOD BURNING STOVE

Please read the instructions near the end of this house book, before using. It is best to keep the door of the stove closed after getting the fire started until it is time to add more wood.  If you must open the stove door while the wood is burning, please open it very slowly and carefully. Any smoke escape will likely activate the smoke alarms due to the low ceiling. If you get into trouble and the house starts to smoke, open up the front and patio doors and let in as much fresh air as possible until the room clears.  If this happens, you can also call me (646-267-4951) and I can activate a fan remotely.  (More information at the end of this page.) 

TOTO TOILET SEAT

The remote for the seat is located to the right of the toilet in the downstairs bathroom and to the left upstairs.

*Manuals for individual appliances located in a white binder inside the TV room cabinet.

CHECKOUT INSTRUCTIONS

We hope you enjoyed your stay at Sweetbriar Guesthouse. Thank you for coming, we hope you had an excellent time. We look forward to hearing about your stay and having you back.

Please remember that your checkout time is anytime before 11:00 AM on the day your booking concludes.

Our only request at checkout is that you leave the front door unlocked. Other than that, there’s nothing else we need you to do.

WOOD BURNING STOVE

Fire starter, matches, fire poker, heat resistant gloves, brush, shovel and ash bucket are all located under the stove.  Extra firewood stored by the chimney outside.

Call John at 646-267-4951 if you need assistance.

Starting a Fire:

a) Push the left combustion control lever (the Activator) inwards before lighting fire.

b) Place 2-3 logs to fill the bottom of the firebox, place 2 firestarters on top and then 2-3 more logs above them.  Light firestarters being sure that the flames are burning the logs on top.  Leave the door open.  **FIREBOX SHOULD BE ALMOST FULL WHEN STARTING FIRE**

c) Only close the door once you can see that the wood is starting to burn, this could take up to 5 minutes, make sure someone monitors the fire till the door is closed.

d) Slide the lever on the right to the desired burn rate. Plus burns faster, minus burns slower.

Adding a New Load of Wood:

WARNING: Open the door to reload only when the wood has been reduced to embers, otherwise there is a risk of smoke in the house (will set off alarm). When the wood has been reduced to embers and there’s no visible flame, you may add a new load.

a) Crack the door open and wait a few moments before opening the door completely.

b) Push the left Activator in.

c) Once the embers begin to glow red, add the new load of wood in the firebox.

d) Keep the door  slightly unlatched until you see a flame in the firebox. Never leave the door unlatched without constant supervision.

e) Completely latch the door.

CAUTION: The wood should be placed away from door to avoid damage to the glass.

WARNINGS: Over firing the unit may result in overheating and can damage the stove and/or result in fire hazards. The maximum firewood load must not exceed 4 medium sized logs (approximately 30 pounds).  When the stove is being used, the door should remain closed at all times. WARNING: Do not use fire accelerants to rekindle the fire if the first attempt to start the fire failed. Do not open the door. Simply reactivate the Activator by pushing it inwards.

POOL UMBRELLA

For recommendations please visit our Area Guide.