What do we on vacation: Remodel

The old Victorian bathroom, left, was replaced with a remodeled version that includes an antique clawfoot tub to replace a tired cast iron tub, ceramic tile to replace the vinyl floor, new walls, new ceiling, new baseboard heater, new lights and fresh paint, of course. In other words, this bathroom was a total gut job!

Guests often ask us: What do you do when you’re on vacation? Actually, with so many animals to feed and the gardens to be tended, we rarely get away for more than a day or two each year. (No need to feel sorry for us, though, because anyone who has stayed here knows that as nice as Brambleberry is, one doesn’t need to go anywhere else if you live here.)

Even though we don’t usually go away on a vacation, we do take vacation. And what do we do with those vacation days? We remodel, make repairs and redecorate the bed and breakfast, of course. March is one of our slowest months of the year as occupancy goes and we’re busy delivering lambs. We’re also collecting maple sap to boil into sweet, 100 percent natural maple syrup. So it makes perfect sense to rip the house apart then, when we wouldn’t be turning away as many guests.

Last year we had a commercial kitchen installed so we could get a restaurant license. This makes us one of the few select inns in the state that may serve meals other than breakfast. This year we’re adding a double whirlpool to the Wedgwood room because the demand is there. Our whirlpool rooms are always the first to book. We’re also remodeling two bathrooms and a bedroom, which is going to be a future guest room this fall when our son no longer needs it. Then we will have five beautiful, comfortable, very individual rooms for guests to choose from.

Unfortunately, no remodeling project ever goes as planned. There are always things that happen that are unexpected. Delays and cost overruns always seem inevitable. It is always stressful to get through the project, which seems to extend forever. But it is so worth it to have it done. And it’s a necessary effort and expense that is part of owning a bed and breakfast.

All of this helps us deliver to our guests a high quality, peaceful, relaxing getaway in beautiful, comfortable surroundings. That’s something we find very rewarding.