A New Addition to the Inn

Well, I never thought it would happen, but my barn is finally empty (well, almost). I had my Vintage Market/Garage Sale last weekend and sold just about everything. Of course, I made the prices extremely affordable and just kept my goal in mind. I set out to empty that building and by gosh, that is what I did. I gave things away, too. It was time to purge and begin anew. Now we begin phase two, which is repairing and sprucing up the building to get it ready for my plans. My mind has been alive with ideas as I've scoured through magazines and Pinterest. I am on a very small budget, but we all know that doesn't stop the creativity, but rather brings it out. Once it is all ready inside, I will furnish it and accessorize it. Hopefully by Memorial Day Weekend and the official start of the season here at the shore, I will be ready to open the doors of my new addition....THE BARN AT THE NATHANIEL MORRIS INN. This will be a gathering place for my guests for early morning coffee as well as afternoon refreshments. All the details have not been nailed down yet, but I am very excited about the possibilities. And did I mention that most things in the barn including the mugs you drink from will be for sale? You Betcha!!!!

What the barn looked like before the sale, and a small sampling of what you will find for sale....can't wait....let the fun begin!!!! Keeping Inn touch......

Dreaming of Spring Markets.......

Starting to envision myself on the hunt. It's been a while what with the holidays and the cold weather. I have managed to pick up a few things here and there like the above chairs and the hanging planter. The chairs are so sturdy and beautifully carved and are for sale currently here at the Inn. I am not yet ready to part with the planter as I just got the succulents recently at Terrain and the mason jar lamp has been in a few spots here and there around the house. I put them together the other day in the planter and hung in my kitchen....made me happy. So they will stay for now. I have a barn full of similar things as well as a treasure trove of old boxes, galvanized stuff, tables, wire baskets....well you get the idea. Have signed up to do my first flea in April and I will be having my Vintage Market here in May.

Lots to look forward to in the coming months. The barn is getting a re-do. More on that coming up. There will be many vintage finds in there for sale. Will keep you up to date and inn touch.....

Madame Savitsky

Many people ask how I came up with the names of the rooms at the Inn. We have the Nantucket Suite which is somewhat obvious...a beachy, cottagy feel prevails there. Then there's Sara's Hideaway, Kathleen's Boudoir and Eileen's Garden Cottage....all named for our three daughters. And last but certainly not least is Madame Savitsky's Parlor. This name comes with a little history....pertaining to me, and as it turns out it really does have an interesting history. I will get to the latter after I explain how I came up with the name. Quite a few years ago while at an estate sale in Mendham, NJ I came across a trunk. It was marked five dollars. It wasn't particularly special at first glance just really a box with no markings. Until I looked closer....the label was a shipping label and was addressed to Countess Madame Savitsky. Well of course at that point I had to buy it and my imagination ran wild with who this person was. It was before the days of computers, however, so I really never thought to look her up as it is so easy to do now. I brought it home and put it in a place of honor in what was our first home. I always thought that if I ever had a shop I would call it "Madame Savitsy's Trunk". So that is my history with the Countess and hence the name of one of the rooms here at the Inn. Fast forward to about 20 years later. The other day I answered the phone to a gentlemen wishing to make a reservation in Madame Savitsky's Parlor. I took all his information, we chatted a bit and then he asked...."tell me....how did you come up with the names for your rooms, particularly the one I'm going to stay in?". I gave him the story. His answer to me was, "well I know all about her and she actually was pretty well known in the early 1900's". Well, you could've knocked me over....what are the chances at this point in my life of ever hearing those words? I don't even have the trunk anymore, as in one of our moves it got lost somehow. Her story goes like this.....She was well known for having a Salon in Paris. She entertained many authors including Ezra Pound and James Joyce. She actually translated in French Joyce's novel "Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man". She apparently spent time at Franklin Farms Estate in Mendham which is how I acquired the trunk. Life is amazing isn't it? How our lives are intertwined often without us ever knowing it. And I am almost certain that Madame Savitsky's spirit is up there somewhere in that room! Keeping Inn touch.....

How I Got The Treasure Bug

A big part of having my bed and breakfast is my vintage treasures. I have been buying and selling for many years. I started in high school by going out on Saturdays with my parents to hunt for antiques. They did antique shows and I used to help them set up. That is how I got the bug. I would tag along with them as they went to barn sales in the beautiful countryside of northwestern New Jersey. They would look for glassware and I would look for old boxes and rustic looking things for my room. They always stopped at some little country inn for lunch. I loved the whole experience and never stopped. When my husband asks me when I am going to stop buying this stuff because we don't need anything....well it's in my blood and will be forever. But that is why I have always sold things too. I buy what I love which makes it hard to part with, but eventually most things can go out the door to make room for the next wonderful find. Having a bed and breakfast has been a really great way to utilize and display my "junk". Guests really enjoy the treasures which fill the inn in every nook and cranny. I have a lot of stuff, but I try not to overdo it. But it is a big old country beach cottage built in 1882 which lends itself to old things tastefully arranged. This page will share my treasure hunt adventures as well as list items for sale, so check often so you don't miss anything!

Some of my favorites in the inn now....a quilt from the thrift shop, an old Whitmans Sampler candy crate, and a Bee Soap sign. These are staying for a while as I am not ready to part with them yet! Keeping Inn touch......