Dreaming of a White Summer

Summer, that yearly renaissance of travel, has arrived once again! The beautiful weather calls for travelers to venture out and explore both the nearby attractions and far away locales. National parks, hiking and biking trails, beaches and scenic drives will wow and inspire travelers without breaking the bank. The much needed respite season is coming on full force this year, so travelers and innkeepers alike are getting ready for summertime adventures!

A great idea for sprucing up the house this summer is an underestimated design element – white! This clean, sleek and versatile color is the perfect way to redecorate this season, and I especially love white in bathrooms. White tile, tubs, fixtures and walls are all great ways to start with a blank, bare canvas, and the slightest touch here and there of color or texture adds so much to a white room. From experience, I know that using a variety of whites and layering will create a calming and restful space, while using different finishes of the same shade of white will energize a room, as stated in my article, Bright Ideas to Maximize Light. I love Linen by Benjamin Moore, which is a versatile paint that can incorporate other colors into the room, and Dutchlac Brilliant from Fine Paints of Europe, which dries to create a beautiful lacquer finish, perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.

This pure color is a great idea for lightening up your home. White has two contradictory characteristics. On one hand it is a traditional color that has always been used. On the other hand its use is seen in all of today’s magazines, showrooms and decorating exhibitions, proving that white is back on top in color related trends. One of the most appreciated features of white is its versatility. This is a tone that can be combined with any type of decoration. The defenders of this color wildcard define it as an escape route for the imagination when it comes time to decorate your home because it leaves open the possibility of creating very different spaces in your home without being afraid that the walls will not match everything else. There are many reasons to make white your best friend. Its intrinsic brightness is the most effective weapon against shadowy spaces. When you bet on white, you are saying yes to renewed clarity in the living areas. White adds light and helps you think about your home as a true paradise where you can really enjoy yourself.

After all that hard work redecorating, travelers and guests are bound to work up an appetite! Enjoy this summer favorite, Summer Fruit Salad, from the Inn at Lower Farm.

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh seedless grapes
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh strawberries cut into quarters
1 cup fresh peaches cut into bite size pieces
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup low fat sour cream

Instructions:
Combine all the fruit and mix well. Mix the brown sugar into the sour cream. Coat the fruit with the sour cream. Let sit for at least a half an hour. Serve.
An exciting bit of Lanier news is the production and upcoming publication of our next Regional guidebook, Bed & Breakfast Getaways on the West Coast, to be released later this month! This guidebook focuses on the unique and exemplary locales of the entire west coast of North America, from San Diego to Anchorage, and everywhere in between. Breathe taking views, excellent amenities and a plethora of activities awaits the west coast adventurer, and we are quite excited to see our guidebook hit shelves and inspire some epic journeys!

Find below a short list of a few of the Guest’s Greatest Pick Award Winners for 2011. I know all of these exemplary B&Bs would be an excellent place to lay your head after a day of summer excitement!

Best wishes and happy travels!

Pamela

Yelton Manor B&B & the Manor Guest House – Inn of the Year

Heartstone Inn & Cottages – Best Overall Breakfast

The Mermaid & The Alligator – Best Cup of Joe

Homestays at Homestead – Best Wildlife

A Pearson’s Pond Luxury Inn & Adventure Spa – Best for Outdoor Setting

Devonfield Country Inn B&B – Best for Relaxing/Unwinding

Through the Grapevine B&B – Best for Nearby Outlet Malls

Pine Lakes Lodge B&B – Best for Hunting

The First Colony Inn – Best for Summer Sports