Bring the B&B home

 

I consider one of Charlottesville’s greatest assets to be its choice of fabulous B&B’s.  One of my favorites, the Clifton Inn , is like spending a night at a friend’s country estate.

We recently spent an evening there, and it got me thinking about how I could make my home feel more like a getaway. I took note of some of the details that made our stay so refreshing and memorable. I’m not talking about room keys and gourmet chefs. I’m talking about the little things like always keeping the table set and relaxing music playing in the background. Those details that make you feel taken care of…

Tea on the porch. Why has tea time become gimicky? I say bring it back and serve it outside on delicate platters with individual tea pots. If even on Sunday afternoons, tea time forces you to sit, savor (keep mini scones and lemon curd on hand), and chit chat. Keswick has tea daily, but you could absolutely do this at home.

One-of-a-kind accessories. A B&B is usually filled with the unique accessories that invite you to look at every corner and lean into every piece of art hanging on the wall. The Clifton Inn has these fantastic chandeliers covered in little shells. I immediately knew what I’d do with the old fashioned brass fixture in my dining room.

A hint of something sweet in the air. Not an overwhelming Fabreeze or Airwick scent, but something natural. It seems that B&Bs always have something organic permeating through the air. At the Clifton, it’s lavender. So much of it, they even have a spectacular lavender martini. You might find candles an easier way to achieve a relaxing aroma, in which case, I highly recommend Seda France.

Most importantly, the bedroom. There are lots of ideas to make your room feel more like a B&B escape. I’ll start with what should be the easiest fix…always make your bed. The convenience of skipping this never outweighs the feeling of slipping into crisply folded sheets.

A surprisingly easy touch…keep port and sherry in beautiful decanters with two small wine glasses beckoning an evening sip.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another nice and easy touch, fresh fruit. Satisfies a midnight attack and adds some freshness and color to your bedroom. Fresh flowers, of course, also add a touch of indulgence and remind you that you are the most important.

 

Slightly more difficult might be bringing in furniture that you might not otherwise see in a bedroom. A mantle (sans fireplace) or love seat could accomplish this. Although my favorite touch might be this piano, an unexpected find in the bedroom below.

The WC. Another detail I noticed at the Clifton was the integration of antiques or some wood furniture in the bathroom. Today’s bathrooms are often so cookie cutter. A wooden table or chair adds a touch of old world organic. Most of the restrooms either have an old pedestal sink or antique buffet turned double sink vanity.

This antique table holds the selection of Molton Brown toiletries, a very easy way to infuse a feeling of escape. A small crystal or silver tray is perfect for displaying small samples, but don’t relegate these to the guest bathroom. Treat yourself!

So,  while the rooms of this B&B are beautifully appointed, the grounds impeccably managed, and the service outstanding, the details certainly add to the experience. And many can easily be brought home.

What do you do at home to make it feel like an escape?

Speaking of…I’m working on a B&B guide. Please send in your suggestions, reviews and photos, and I’ll get one up shortly!