April 13th, 2012 by Elaine
The spacious, screened in, 3 season porch at Yelton Manor is definitely one of the most enjoyable common rooms at the inn. We serve breakfast there at two round tables that each have 4 comfortable wicker chairs. The dainty Victorian chandeliers, the ferns, greenery and antique decor add to the sense of summer ease. In the evening we light small votive candles that burn until midnight, as the aroma of moonflower vine, trailing the fence outside, prevails. Quite the lovely spot!!!
This year we repaired window sills, replaced all the screens, painted the storm windows, painted the floor and more. We are excited to get it all back together again!!!
This beautiful porch has a sloped roof that makes it the #1 destination in a thunderstorm. The rain comes down the sides in a furious torrent, the smell is delicious and the mighty thunder and lightning bring all your senses alive!!!
We are delighted to continue to keep it beautiful!!!
Tags: Award Winning Bed and Breakfast, Bed and Breakfast Gardens, Bed and Breakfast South Haven Michigan, Best Bed and Breakfast South Haven Michigan, Innkeeper Lifestyle, Lake Michigan B&B Vacation, Lake Michigan Beach Bed and Breakfast, Lake Michigan Porches B&Bs, Life of an Innkeeper, Renovations
February 15th, 2012 by Elaine
Choosing new updated colors when renovating can be unnerving.
Sometimes I have to remind myself to take a breath when the first wash of new color goes up!
What was once a sky blue wainscot will now be olive green.
This will turn the porch from a easy, breezy summer porch attitude to a deeper, elegant ambiance.
I think we nailed it.
Tags: Award Winning Bed and Breakfast, Bed and Breakfast South Haven Michigan, Best Bed and Breakfast South Haven Michigan, Innkeeper Lifestyle, Lake michigan B&Bs, Lake Michigan Porches B&Bs, Renovations, South Haven Bed and Breakfast
February 15th, 2012 by Elaine
The porch renovation goes forward!
You never know how HUGE a room is until you paint it. This approx 450 square feet porch has 18 windows, 4 doors with glass too. That’s a lot of trim and fine line painting!
Robert is Caulk Man, bridging the gap that comes between wall and wool, wall and window, wall and trim, etc. In the case of the old, original ceiling, made of wood slats, tons of caulk there as well. He’s the reason the finished product looks brand spanking new. It took 6 tubes of caulk to satisfy his need for perfection here.
“
Hey, Caulk Man, I see what you did here!”
Tags: Award Winning Bed and Breakfast, Bed and Breakfast Recipes, Bed and Breakfast South Haven Michigan, Best Bed and Breakfast South Haven Michigan, Innkeeper Lifestyle, Lake Michigan Porches B&Bs, Renovations, South Haven Bed and Breakfast
February 8th, 2012 by Elaine
And so it begins.

The last time we renovated the porch we chose a natural, authentic sisal carpet. It created a beautiful transitional look and feel between the plush parlors and the outdoor porch and gardens. We warmed it up with oriental rugs on top, loved it.
Sisal is laid without a pad and is glued to the floor. So the “rip up” was like wrestling an alligator.
Happy to have that over with, now comes the more creative stuff.
Tags: Bed and Breakfast South Haven Michigan, Best Bed and Breakfast South Haven Michigan, Innkeeper Lifestyle, Lake michigan B&Bs, Lake Michigan Porches B&Bs, Life of an Innkeeper, Renovations, South Haven Bed and Breakfast
February 7th, 2012 by Elaine

The Manor’s wrap around “Inside Porch” is a one of many comfortable guest gathering rooms at the inn. The porch has varied pleasures and amusements, comfortable seating and some dining tables too. It is brimming with beautiful books, games, and sweet treats. The porch looks out to the front perennial flower gardens and opens outward to the large 3-season screened in porch.
Today: We moved out every single item on the porch. Tomorrow, the carpet rips up. This week: Robert preps, tarps, screens, scrapes, caulks and sands, makes numerous trips to the hardware store. Next week: Elaine primes and paints from ceiling to window sills, walls and wainscot. The icing on the cake is when the new carpet goes down in a few weeks. Then we put it all back together! Champagne is already on ice for that evening!
Truth is, we enjoy it!!
Tags: Bed and Breakfast South Haven Michigan, Best Bed and Breakfast South Haven Michigan, Innkeeper Lifestyle, Lake michigan B&Bs, Lake Michigan Porches B&Bs, South Haven Bed and Breakfast