INN VERMONT : ROWELL ' S INN
In addition to reconstructing the porch , the Smiths also touched up the slate roof , broke open the back kitchen area , outfitted the kitchen with new appliances , and redid the plumbing and electrical work throughout the building . “ There was no working electricity when we first came here ,” notes Christina . “ When we finally got the heat working in one of the rooms , the kids would stay in the warmest room while we were there working .” The older Smith children , Dakota and Landon , provided crucial assistance by intermittently lending a hand with the construction efforts . The younger siblings , Montana and Dominic , offered inspirational support for their parents at critical stages in the renovation process , such as when they encountered considerable issues with the plumbing . “ When we started working on the plumbing , my husband turned the water on . It wasn ’ t long before water started streaming out of the ceiling ! We thought that we were going to have to tear the ceiling down , but we worked with a crafty plumber who figured out an effective solution . We hit some hard times throughout the renovation process , but we worked hard and we never gave up . We want to instill values of hard work and persistence in our children , and we ’ re proud that we saw this through together and that they got to play a part in it . They gave me some much-needed encouragement in some of the toughest spots , which meant the world to me .”
Tasteful Rooms and Tasty Food
After the major renovations were complete , Christina began the process of furnishing the inn and beautifying its rooms . The Inn opened its doors to the public in March 2020 , and although the COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted the initial momentum of the business , it also gave Christina a chance to experiment with the inn ’ s decorative layout . On the first floor , the reception desk sits in a room located to the left of the front entrance hall . A glass-encased chest holds historic artifacts from every stage of the inn ’ s past . It is complemented by a scenic painting of the inn by local artist , Nancy Adams , and the inn ’ s original post office box .
Across from the front reception room , the parlor is outfitted with built-in shelves that create an intimate ambience , which is reminiscent of an old country library or study . A floral-patterned couch sourced from a private seller in Fair Haven stands next to an antique radio , which has been repurposed as a decorative fixture . “ I worked with private sellers all across the state to source furnishings for the inn ,” says Christina . “ I also found some amazing pieces at the antique shops in Chester .” In the reception area for the dining room behind the parlor , stained glass windows and a coffee station stand underneath a tin roof with decorative molding . An