With a travel theme in mind, Barb combined the traditional with the exotic for an atmosphere of pure

Some houses have a special feel about them, reflecting a history of residents who contribute to the home’s welcoming ambiance. There’s just such a house on Main Street in Grimsby, Ontario that has retained her charm and good looks. She is a grand old soul that has been through hardship, a fire, and a total transformation to her original glory.
More than five years ago, a wistful childhood dream started to resurface for Barb van Pelt. At the age of 10 she dreamed of running a bed and breakfast, after watching the movie Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Barb’s husband, Ron vanPelt, took her for a drive through the Niagara Region in 2000, completely unaware that he had put the wheels in motion. “I knew this was the area,” says Barb. “I wanted to be involved in the wine and dine culture.”
Prior to becoming an innkeeper, Barb ran a successful interior design business in Erin, Ontario. After the fateful drive, she started to think seriously about selling her company. By 2002 the deal was done, and Barb and Ron moved to Stoney Creek to scout out the area. Three months later, they found what they were looking for. With three levels cheap hotels new york city and a widow’s walk, plus a barn, pool and coach house, the van Pelts knew they wanted the property before they even walked inside. The historically designated house dates back to 1846 and sits well back off the main street in Grimsby on an acre-and-a-half of land.
Barb’s background has served her well. While Ron continued with his day job, Barb donned her paint clothes and spent six months renovating and decorating the entire house. “The house was well-designed for a B B,” says Barb.
With a travel theme in mind, Barb combined the traditional with the exotic for an atmosphere of pure luxury. When dealing with a house with wood floors, Barb says the décor starts with the area rugs. Taking her inspiration from the chosen floor coverings, she used bold textures, prints and colours, combined with original antiques and reproductions.
The front foyer is a welcoming invitation into the house, with a small antique roll top desk and wine recommendations printed cheap hotels new york city on a sign. The family cheap hotels new york city room became the library and includes Ron’s beloved pool table. A natural elegance was injected into the living room and dining room, with detailed cheap hotels new york city accessories that augment the complete makeover.
Bathrooms were added to two bedrooms on the second floor, giving each room its own private en suite. By expanding the closet area, a toilet, bathtub and bead board were accommodated. The entry door was angled to avoid making the room look smaller. An antique reproduction dresser houses the sink in the bedroom. The changes went so seamlessly that “everyone thinks they were already there,” says Barb. “They really add character.”
cheap hotels new york city The Rustic Tuscany room imposes daring shades of red, gold and black with a queen-size mahogany sleigh bed. The Vintage Garden room weaves rich tapestries, raw silk and lace into a dreamy retreat. The Allan Suite was named after the previous owners, John and Linda Allan, who restored the home after a fire in 1982. This room is often reserved as the bridal suite with romantic influences of scalloped cheap hotels new york city Victorian lace and gold brocade fabrics on a gracious king-size bed.
The Victorian Safari cheap hotels new york city room on the third floor transports guests to an exotic destination. This suite has access to the widow’s walk and includes a pull-out couch and a four-poster king-sized bed bejeweled in black velvet, royal reds, leopard prints and Dupiani silk.
While the renovations have been primarily paint and wallpaper, the van Pelts plan to move the laundry room to the second level. The coach house is currently rented on a full-time basis, but future reconstruction will convert it to a two-storey guesthouse, or additional rooms with kitchenettes for longer stays. An outdoor hot tub and a spa room in the basement of the carriage cheap hotels new york city house are also on the wish list, as is renovating their own personal suite.
Vinifera, The Inn on Winery Row, officially opened in June 2004. It was part of the Christmas House Tour that year, and dazzled visitors. Family and friends have been privy to taste testing in order to develop the menu for their sumptuous breakfasts. Barb admits that Ron is a great cook, and he steps into his role of host every weekend. The van Pelts have formed alliances with various wineries throughout the Niagara Region and recommend tours, specialty wines and events.