Category Archives: Decorating

What Should My Inn Blog About?

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What should my inn blog about, you ask?  Since each inn is unique, your blog should give readers a better understanding of your particular bed and breakfast.

Is your location a relaxed beach setting, a scenic mountain location, a rural country farm, a contemporary urban inn, or something else entirely?  Entice your website visitors to stay at your bed and breakfast.  Pictures are a very visual way to attract vacationers.

Why do people visit your local area?  What local leisure activities can guests participate in?  Does your area have any local tourist attractions?  Blogging about this will give you fresh content and keywords for search engine optimization.  Moreover, knowing this information helps you target different types of guests:

Do you offer any special packages or retreats?

How does your inn serve breakfast?  Some B&B inns have their own restaurant.  Some bring breakfast to your room on a tray while others have a common dining area for guests.  At some bed and breakfasts, guests can choose from a menu what they would like to have while at others everyone the same delicious gourmet cooking.

Be sure to ask guests if they have special dietary needs.  Your blog can feature pictures of your breakfasts as well as recipes of guests’ favorite dishes.

What kind of amenities can your guests enjoy?

Potential guests also like to know more about the owners, innkeepers, and staff members of bed and breakfasts.  Be sure to put their pictures on your website including their name, a couple sentences about what they do, and what they recommend guests try when they visit.  You could even feature staff members that receive a lot of compliments from your guest feedback.

Be sure to tell guests what you, as an innkeeper, love the most.  Let them know that you will be attentive to their needs, but also give them the privacy they desire.  If you have a historic bed and breakfast, be sure to share your inn’s history.

Do you have any accreditations or affiliations?  Membership in a bed and breakfast association and/or having received a certain award or level of distinction will set you apart from other bed and breakfasts.

Do you have your own bed and breakfast shop?

How does your inn celebrate the seasons?

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Winter

How does your inn celebrate holidays?

You can even write about remodeled or redecorated rooms.  Improvements to your inn are worth talking about.  Previous guests may want to return based on your description of the new changes.

Do you offer any incentives for frequent stays and/or referrals?  Reward your guests for returning and recommending your B&B to friends. On the topic of frequency, be sure to have a frequently asked questions section on your website.

Let guests know how to connect with your bed and breakfast on other social media websites. Have a presence on one or more of the following websites can make a big difference in your visibility online.

 

When you share your blog on social media, this lets people know more about you and your bed and breakfast inn.  Give website visitors an “inn-side” look at your B&B from behind the scenes.  Having a blog and being active on social media is a great way to draw more attention to your website.

Don’t have the time or desire to write a blog or stay active on social media?  Let Kristi Dement and her team at Bed and Breakfast Blogging do all the hard work for you.  Her clients see results with consistently booked rooms.

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Activities, Amenities, Associations and Ratings, Blog and Social Media, Conferences, Decorating, Events, Food, Gardening and Lawns, Guests, Kristi, Marketing, Promotion

Bed and Breakfast Curb Appeal

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Have you seen that HGTV Channel show called Curb Appeal?  That informative show is full of tips on how to attract people to want to come inside your home.  It is about becoming the best looking house in your neighborhood.  As a bed and breakfast owner, your goal is to look so appealing from the curb, that those passing by will want to book a stay.

The last thing you want is for people to visit your website that shows your bed and breakfast looking at its best, only for them be sadly disappointed when they visit and see that it has not been well maintained.  This is why first impressions are very important.

Useful Curb Appeal Questions

  • Do I have an attractive sign displaying the name of my bed and breakfast?  Well made signs can attract the attention of others from the road.
  • Does my home look inviting?  You want it to look loved and cared for, just as you will do for your guests in showing them hospitality.
  • Is there a clear path to my front door?  Guests should not be confused about the main entrance to your bed and breakfast.
  • Does my front door look welcoming?  You may need to refinish it and add a coat of fresh paint.  You may want to feature seasonal wreaths on it. Some even inns have front doors with stained glass.
  • Is there an outdoor focal point that tells guests where to look first?  This could be a fountain, bench, walkway, tree, or anything else attractive.
  • Do I have an attractive way to distinguish the boundaries of my property from that of my neighbors?  This could be fencing with landscaping inside your yard.  Or it could be trimmed hedges that add an attractive border.
  • Is my lawn well-manicured?  The key is to consistently mow and fertilize so that it is easy to maintain and you have the greenest turf on your street.  If your yard needs to be revitalized, talk to some local lawn care companies.
  • Do my windows sparkle and shine?  Make sure that windows are clean.  If they need replacing, go green with energy efficient windows.
  • Do I need to have anything repaired? This means looking at things like your roofing, gutters, decks, and siding.  Make sure that nothing is rotted.  Have regular pest inspections performed.
  • Are my driveways and walkways safe, clean, and attractive?  This could mean power-washing, repairing brick as well as repairing stonework and concrete.
  • Do I have any dead or diseased plants or trees that need removing?    Trim shrubs, prune overgrown plants, and remove dead trees and their stumps.
  • Do I have a variety of evergreens and flowering shrubs?  Group plants by height and layer the groups for visual interest.  You can also vary the colors and textures.
  • Is there something that sets my yard apart from others?  This could be a gazebo, a pond, a fountain, statues, porches, and swings.
  • Do I have plants in pots or urns in eye-catching places like near steps and walkways?  Some people prefer a symmetrical look at the front door with the same thing on each side of the front door.
  • Do I have a garden of some kind for guests to enjoy?  This could be a flower garden, rock garden, or a vegetable garden. You can even grow your own spices to flavor your meals.
  • Do I have a plan for irrigation?  Depending upon your climate, ideally you have sprinklers for hot and dry times of the year.
  • Is everything that is painted on my property look clean and bright?  You never want guests to see cracked or peeling paint.  It is amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do to revive the look of something.
  • At night, will my guests be able to see when they return to my bed and breakfast?  There should be enough outdoor lighting that it is safe and attractive for guests to come back to your inn.  Any paths they should walk should be well lit.

It is important that your property gives them a great first impression and sets your guests at ease that they made the right choice to stay at your bed and breakfast.  Help them feel sure of their decision from the very moment they see your property.

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Decorating, Gardening and Lawns, Guests, Promotion

Bed and Breakfast Bathrooms

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Bed and breakfast bathrooms can really enhance the experience of your appreciative guests.  Your unique decorations, attractive colors, magnificent materials, fancy fixtures, luxurious linens, and plush amenities all make a big impression on them.  Likewise, it is important to have complimentary bathroom supplies made available in each guest bathroom.  Your guests will remember your attention to the details.

This blog post features links to our corresponding Pinterest pages.  These Pinterest boards show photos from a variety of bed and breakfasts as well as of various products and ideas.  Given its visual nature, Pinterest is a great way to showcase your bed and breakfast.  Share pictures of what your inn looks like (both inside and outside) as well as share pictures of your delicious food and special events you host, such as weddings and tea time.

Be sure to decorate your bathrooms in a way that complements the look of the corresponding bedrooms and overall theme of your place.  Guests will expect the décor of bathrooms to be different depending upon the style or location of your bed and breakfast.  The following are just a few suggestions and there are many more decorating options available to the bed and breakfast owner.

  • Beach bed and breakfast bathrooms
    •  feature shells, starfish, sand dollars, sea horse, fish, coral reef, a captains wheel, anchor, or surfboards
    • have water, sand, or coral colors
  • Farm bed and breakfast bathrooms
    • feature roosters, cows, horses, gardens, corn stalks, or seeds
    • have farm colors like grass green, barn red, or sunflower yellow
  • Historic bed and breakfast bathrooms
    • feature pictures of previous residents, antique furniture, vintage signs, or a claw-foot tub
    • colors like black and white (like old photos) or rust

There are a variety of materials used in bathrooms, including:

  • Brick
  • Carpet
  • Glass
  • Rugs
  • Stonework
  • Tile
  • Wallpaper

Fixtures, such as:

  • Cabinets
  • Lights
  • Mirrors
  • Showers
  • Sinks
  • Towel bars and hooks
  • Tubs
  • Vanities

Linens:

  • Robes
  • Towels (double loop with high thread count)
  • Washcloths

Luxury amenities and other extras like:

  • Candles
  • Columns
  • Fireplace
  • Flowers
  • Furniture
  • Heated bathroom floors
  • Jetted tub
  • Lounging area
  • Murals
  • Plants
  • Shelving
  • Skylights
  • Television
  • View
  • Wine (chilled)

Guests will be thankful for complimentary bathroom supplies, such as:

  • Bath gel
  • Bath mats
  • Cotton balls
  • Cotton swabs
  • Drinking glasses
  • Hairdryer
  • Lotion
  • Make-up remover pads (to avoid stains on your washcloths and towels)
  • Mouthwash (travel size)
  • Shampoo and conditioner (travel size)
  • Shower cap
  • Soap (soap bars should be individually wrapped)
  • Tissues (with lotion)
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste (travel size)
  • Toilet paper (individually wrapped rolls)
  • Waste basket (with throw-away liner)

You may want to reward your guests by having a frequent stay and referral program and give discounts for those returning again and recommending your B&B to their friends.  Keep in mind the image your bed and breakfast seeks to portray to your guests: comfort, luxury, eco-friendly, and more.  The possibilities are endless as to how you decorate your bathroom and what amenities you offer to your guests.

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Amenities, Decorating, Guests

Bed and Breakfast Linens

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As owners of bed and breakfasts, you build your brand based on the quality and level of hospitality you offer to your guests.  This includes guests’ first impression of your place and their individual guest room down to the look and feel of your sheets and linens.

As many of you know, the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) is an organization for bed and breakfast owners and innkeepers as well as vendors in the hospitality industry.  The following are a few of the companies that fall into the PAII Vendor Membership Category of “Linens, Bedding, Towels, and Accessories”:

  • Berkshire Amenities Group (Gene Faul)
  • Comphy Co (Mia Richardson)
  • Turkish Towel Company (Barton Brass)

Innkeepers should strive to provide an experience above and beyond their guests’ expectations.  Thus, choosing quality linens for your bed and breakfast is of great importance.  Create an environment where your guests will not want to leave.  This will encourage them to come back as soon as they can return.

Here are some tips to help guide you when selecting your linens. Before you start buying linens for each bedroom, make note of how many beds you’ll be fitting within each room as well as their respective sizes (twin, queen, king, etc.). Make sure you have extra pillows for your guests as well as a couple quality blankets for each bed.  One blanket can be placed on the bed between the comforter and the top sheet while the other blanket can be put in an accessible guest drawer or closet space.

When choosing the quality of your bed linens, ensure that the material is 100% natural content featuring a thread count of at least 500. Consider choosing white to avoid any fading colors. White also has the advantage of looking crisp and clean while giving an airy and welcoming feel to the room.

When selecting your bathroom sets, make sure you select plush, 100% cotton towels with a dense loop. Anything below these quality standards can detract from the guest experience. Also ensure that you have the correct sizes, including bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths.

Coordination is key. Colors should play off each other to give a natural flow from the bedroom to the bathroom.  What matters is the perceptions of each guest. Whatever you end up choosing, make sure the bedroom and bathroom colors complement each other.

Be sure to provide a generous number of towels, to give your guests the feeling of comfort and luxury.  By having an extra amount of linens and towels, they will last longer.  When your towels are plush and sheets are smooth, your guests are more likely to remember their positive experience (including restful sleep) and return to your inn for another visit.

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Amenities, Associations and Ratings, Decorating, Guests

Rosemary House Bed and Breakfast

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Rosemary House Bed & BreakfastRosemary House Bed & Breakfast

The first bed and breakfast to be featured by Bed and Breakfast Blogging in 2015 is none other than Rosemary House Bed and Breakfast of Pittsboro, North Carolina.

Voted “Best B&B in Chatham County” for three years in a row!  This historic bed and breakfast is a 1912 Colonial Revival home with five cozy guest bedrooms.  Each bedroom has its own private bathroom.

Haven room, Rosemary House B&B, Pittsboro NC

The Haven Room

The Haven Room is a haven and more.  Their only first floor room, with a fireplace, queen bed, flat-screen TV, and two comfy chairs. It is decorated in soothing shades of teal and peach. Local artists painted the trompe l’oeil window, the desk, and the marbleized mantel. In the huge bathroom you’ll find an original mural and a 2-person BainUltra tub; let its therapeutic bubbling waters massage away your cares. Separate tiled shower.

Retreat room, Rosemary House B&B, Pittsboro NC

The Retreat Room

The Retreat Room is an upstairs corner room, with a fireplace, sofa, flat-screen TV and queen-sized four-poster bed, decorated in shades of rose and navy blue, with an artist-painted antique vanity. It features a luxurious sunny bathroom that contains a therapeutic bubbling 2-person BainUltra tub and a separate tiled shower.

Meadow room, Rosemary House B&B, Pittsboro NC

The Meadow Room

The Meadow Room is a two-room suite named for its large sunny windows and floral fabrics in rose and seafoam. The comfortable bedroom has an iron queen-sized bed. The beautifully decorated adjoining room holds a loveseat-twin sleeper and flat-screen TV. Up to three people can sleep here. Meadow’s bathroom contains an antique refinished claw-foot tub with a shower attachment.

Willow room, Rosemary House B&B, Pittsboro NC 27312

The Willow Room

The Willow Room is a guest favorite. Its blue-and-white color scheme reminded us of the Blue Willow china pattern, hence its name. Located on their second floor, it contains two antique spool beds, both full-size, flat-screen TV, and a bright sunny double window. A comfy chair and beautiful hand-painted dresser. It can sleep four. Tiled bath with tub-shower.

Holly room, Rosemary House B&B, Pittsboro NC 27312

The Holly Room

The Holly Room is a comfortable and cheerful sunny corner room on the second floor. Queen-sized Windsor bed and tiled bath with tub-shower. Its decor is sage green and red toile.

Rosemary House front porch.For those wondering how the bed and breakfast got its name, Rosemary House Bed and Breakfast is named for the herb rosemary, traditionally the herb of friendship and remembrance.  This bed and breakfast is a great place for conversations with others in common places such as the porch with its comfortable rocking chairs, but this B&B allows privacy for those wanting to rest and relax.

This lovely B&B is just outside the famous Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Triangle:

      • 33 miles to Raleigh
      • 32 miles to Durham
      • 17 miles to Chapel Hill

Yet there is plenty to see and do right in the local area of Pittsboro!

  • Central Pittsboro is registered on the National Register of Historic Places, with over 100 contributing properties ranging in date from 1780s to 1949.
  • Browse the quaint Downtown Pittsboro shops
  • Chatham Marketplace is a small, friendly, fun store in an old label mill, about 1/4 mile from their B&B; a nice deli, great breads, wine, & produce
  • Five wineries located within twenty minutes on the Heart of NC Wine Trail
  • Spend an entire afternoon at McIntyre’s bookstore in Fearrington Village
  • For lunch and dinner, dine at these popular local Pittsboro restaurants
  • One minute away: is the beautiful new Chatham County Public Library
  • Relax and restore at one of Pittsboro’s two wonderful day spas: Beautiful You Spa and Nail and Spa at Bell House
  • See beautiful and smell fragrant flowers at Orchard Gallery which is just a few miles from their B&B
  • Tour the 55-acre Carolina Tiger Rescue home to approximately 140 animals representing 11 species of threatened and endangered carnivores from around the world
  • Stay put at their B&B. Enjoy a late breakfast. Rock on the porch, listen to the birds, and read a book.

Karen Pullen, author of Cold Feet

Did you know that innkeeper Karen Pullen is an award-winning published author?  Her newest novel called Cold Feet is available for purchase on Amazon.  She is a member of four mystery writers’ organizations.  Karen is a natural at bed and breakfast hospitality.  She cooks a fresh gourmet breakfast each morning for her guests in addition to offering Afternoon Tea at Rosemary House.  Afternoon tea is vegetarian, served on English bone china, with individual teapots tucked into cozies, and filled with fresh-brewed tea of their guests’ choosing. Tea comes with assorted little sandwiches, a tiny quiche, fresh-baked scones with lemon curd and jam as well as tiny desserts like tea cakes and pecan tarts. Belgian waffles with strawberries are a Rosemary House specialty.Afternoon tea at Rosemary House is refreshing, delicious, and civilized.

Rosemary House Bed and Breakfast is a proud member of the North Carolina Bed and Breakfast Inns Association.  Make your reservation today!

A Tour of Rosemary House Bed and Breakfast of Pittsboro, North Carolina

You Tube Video Credits
Photography by Dr. John Shillito, Peter Scherman, and Karen Pullen
Music:  “J.S. Praludioumin C” played by Anton Steklov

Posted in Activities, Associations and Ratings, Decorating, Food, Guests, History

Bed and Breakfasts in December

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The Queen Victoria at Christmas - Cape May, New Jersey. Bed and Breakfast Inn

The Queen Victoria in Cape May, NJ during Christmas time

Bed and breakfasts, in December, can put on a spectacular display of holiday cheer. This is the best time of year to decorate your B&B. There are so many creative and festive ways to do so. The Queen Victoria in Cape May, New Jersey has exquisite outdoor Christmas lights! I love how they outlined their bed and breakfast to highlight that their inn has three floors and they hung lit garland with red bows on the fence all the way around their property.

#Holidays | A winter welcome at Another Second Penny Inn, Stonington, CT. #bedandbreakfast #travel

Decorative Doorway at Another Second Penny Inn of Stonington, CT

Another Second Penny Inn hung garland and put up a wreath with a red bow on their reflective glass door. The snow falling in Connecticut just adds to the bed and breakfast’s winter look.  They are located on a leafy, scenic road just 3 miles from Mystic and 2 miles north of Stonington Borough.

Their 1710 New England home offers friendly, romantic, and spacious accommodations for their bed and breakfast visitors. Winner of the Best Breakfast in New England, owners Jim and Sandra Wright, offer deluxe five course breakfasts on weekends and holidays and delicious Continental Breakfasts on the other mornings.

Curious about how this inn got its name? They offer this Ancient Persian saying to explain, “If you have two pennies, with the first, buy bread for your stomach and with the second, buy hyacinths for your soul.”
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Morehead Manor Bed and Breakfast of Durham, NC adds to the festivities with this holiday garland draping down our stairs. We welcome you to be our guests! http://www.moreheadmanor.com

Morehead Manor Bed & Breakfast of Durham, NC adds to the festivities with garland & bows decorating the stairway


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Morehead Manor of Durham, North Carolina was recently named the Best Black-Owned Bed and Breakfast in America by Black Enterprise magazine.  Innkeepers Daniel and Monica Edwards decorate their inn festively every year.  The garland and ribbon going down their staircase is but one area of the inn in the Bull City.  Within walking distance for their inn is the Durham Performing Arts Center which has holiday performances including the fortieth year of performances of A Christmas Carol! Durham is also the Tastiest Town of the South so between the delicious gourmet breakfasts at Morehead Manor and award-winning restaurants, your appetite will be more than satisfied!
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Christmas by the fire at York Harbor Inn in Maine

Christmas by the fire at York Harbor Inn of Maine


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The York Harbor Inn family of Inns in Maine is comprised of six separate lodges. The Main Inn offers twenty-two guest rooms. There are also two ocean view restaurants as well as lovely banquet and meeting rooms. Many luxury rooms feature ocean and beach view decks, fireplaces and/or Jacuzzi tubs. The York Harbor inn recognizes that people’s dogs are part of their family and they offer pet friendly rooms in their Harbor Crest building.  The picture of their Christmas tree by the fire is gorgeous.
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Victorian Christmas Getaway: The Empress Bed & Breakfast

Stunning Dining Room of The Empress Bed and Breakfast in Little Rock, AR


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Bob Blair and his wife Sharon Welch-Blair are owners of The Empress of Little Rock, in Arkansas. They have been open for nearly twenty years and they love their guests! “Anyone who loves people, enjoys welcoming them into your home, looks forward to a day of tasks and events of all kinds (everyday a new day), and works with a great crew should become an innkeeper.” Their enthusiasm for entertaining is evident when you look at their multi-award winning AAA four diamond rated bed and breakfast!  Every guest room at the historic inn has its own themed tree to create magic throughout the entire mansion. Bob and Sharon display their mementos and antiques in each room so you feel like you are not only experiencing the past, but are cherished guests of The Royal Family.
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#Holidays | The twinkling lights of the tree at the White Oak Manor, Jefferson, TX. #bedandbreakfast #travel

The twinkling lights of the tree at the White Oak Manor in Jefferson, TX.


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White Oak Manor is an historic bed and breakfast in Jefferson, Texas.  Innkeepers Dave and Tammy invite you to join their warm and friendly atmosphere.  It is especially beautiful to visit them this time of year with their festive holiday decorations.  Jefferson is always filled with love, laughter and friendly faces.
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So how does your bed and breakfast celebrate the holidays? Feel free to make comments about what food you prepare for guests, special ways you decorate your inn, and anything else you do to make this time of year extra special.

Posted in Activities, Associations and Ratings, Decorating, Events, Food, Guests

Your Website Needs Pictures

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Your website needs pictures.  If this web page had no pictures, would it have caught your attention as well?  You need to wow your potential guests with amazing professional photographs showing them the experience they will have if they stay at your bed and breakfast.  Your website needs pictures:

  • Outdoor pictures
  • Gardening & Landscaping
  • Breathtaking Views
  • Guest Bedrooms
  • Guest Bathrooms
  • Gourmet Kitchen
  • Your Breakfasts & other Delights
  • Common Areas
  • Grand Staircases & Fireplaces
  • Porch, Balcony & Deck
  • Your Antiques & Collections
  • Your Events such as Weddings & Concerts
  • Innkeepers/Owners
  • Area Attractions and Area Events

The old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words” is right!  For search engine optimization purposes, be sure to label your images with the relevant keywords. Capture their love of what your inn and local community has to offer with awesome photos!

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Decorating, Events, Food, Gardening and Lawns, Guests, Promotion

Bed and Breakfast Gazebos

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bed-and-breakfast-gazebos

As bed and breakfast owners, you know it is the little things that make a big difference.  Did you know that just by adding a gazebo to your property, you are making it more appealing to potential guests?  Attractive landscaping, including bed and breakfast gazebos, enhances the look for your bed and breakfast.

A gazebo is sometimes octagonal or tent shaped and can be free standing or attached to a garden wall.  It is typically built with wood and has standard roofing materials.  It can be open on all sides or have netting to keep out bugs.

Gazebos have a variety of styles and serve a variety of purposes:

  • A quiet place to enjoy the view outdoors
  • Provides shade
  • Shelter from rain
  • Ornamental feature in landscaping lawns
  • In weddings, it is used for exchanging vows and cutting the cake

If you have a gazebo, do you feature it by landscaping around it and by using it for outdoor events?  If you do not have a gazebo, is there room for one and do you know your reasons for adding one?

You don’t have to be a professional builder in order to build one yourself. They can also be purchased from home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot.  It would be great to feature pictures of your gazebo on your website. You can also talk about its construction in a new blog post.

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Amenities, Decorating, Gardening and Lawns
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