|
The Monticello Express
The
Monticello Express, Shoppers' Guide and Express Printing Company
111 E. Grand St. P.O. Box 191,
Monticello, Iowa 52310 • 319-465-3555 • mexpress@n-connect.net
Rooms with a view
Monks’ new B&B focuses on Grant Wood, area
scenery
|
by Andrea Dunlap
Express Reporter
MONTICELLO – When Doug and Micaela Monk decided to
turn their house into a bed and breakfast, they were not going to let
anything stop them. After four years of discussion and work, the Grant
Wood Country Bed and Breakfast is open and ready for guests.
"We’ve been thinking, talking about it for
about the past four years," said Doug. "We thought in the back
of our minds we’d eventually like to have a bed and breakfast."
The Monks started redecorating right away, but it was done gradually
while their children still lived at home.
They initially started working on the bed and
breakfast in 2002, and completed it this year. "Last winter we
finally said ‘Let’s go ahead and do it,’" Doug said.
The Monks redecorated two rooms and a bathroom on the
second story of their home, transforming it into the suite–the guest
area of their bed and breakfast. They put in new carpet, new wallpaper
and repainted. "We have 25 different colors of paint in this
house," Doug laughed.
The Monks then had to buy furniture for the suite.
The suite includes one bedroom, a complete bathroom,
a private lounge and an 8-foot by 30-foot second-story deck. The bedroom
has a queen-size sleigh bed and a pillow top mattress and down
comforter. The private lounge has a loveseat, coffee table, television
with a DVD/VCR player, microwave, refrigerator, table and chairs, and a
treadmill. An inflatable mattress is available for families with
children or if two couples decide to visit. There is also a Mickey Mouse
tent for children, who may sleep out on the deck if they wish.
"Kids like stuff like that," said Doug.
Doug said they remodeled the private bath three times
"until they got it right." Dave Berryman and Chad Dusanek
helped tile the bathroom. "Dean Oswald has been great as far as
helping us with the wiring."
The Monks said they plan to have a "gift
corner" with cookbooks from other bed and breakfasts in Iowa,
hand-embroidered dishtowels, postcards and some personal items. Each
guest will also receive a complimentary bottle of non-alcoholic apple
cider.
The Monks decided to redecorate the downstairs as
well due to the fact that they knew guests would be walking through the
main floor. Stephanie Kiburz, formally of Monticello, helped the Monks
redecorate. She helped Micaela with the living room, kitchen and several
other rooms, color coordinating and picking out furniture.
The theme of the bed and breakfast is Grant Wood.
Prints of his artwork can be found throughout the entire house. Some of
these prints are for sale, which Doug has framed himself, and may also
be purchased online at www.grantwoodcountry bedandbreakfast.com.
"I liked the Grant Wood theme, with the colors
and pictures," said Doug. He said he’d come home from work and
they had done work to the house that "totally transformed it,"
such as painting the cupboards in the kitchen, where they also put in a
new countertop.
Doug said the most unique print they own is
"Arbor Day," a famous Grant Wood painting depicting a
schoolhouse which still stands today in Anamosa. The original was
painted around 1938. They purchased the print from an antique store in
Kansas and said it was their first attempt at buying something from Ebay.
"It’s cool because it’s something from this area."
Doug said his favorite feature is the panoramic,
second-story balcony view. "It’s peaceful up there."
"I think it’s the view, but also people have
told me how warm and cozy it is; it is kind of like they’re at
home," added Micaela.
The Grant Wood Country Bed and Breakfast is located
about 20 minutes from Grant Wood’s birthplace. His house, which is no
longer standing, was located just off of Highway 64, east of Anamosa.
The bed and breakfast is 4.5 miles from Monticello and is just off of
Highway 151.
Check-in time is 3 p.m. "We’re going to be
flexible," said Doug. Reservations must be made ahead of time by
calling 319-465-3619.
Check-out time for guests is 11 a.m. A continental
breakfast will be served during the week, and a full breakfast will be
served on Saturday and Sunday morning.
An organic pumpkin flax granola cereal will also be
available. Doug said people like to see unique things at bed and
breakfasts and that something like this would hopefully appeal to
guests.
"A bed and breakfast reflects who owns it. Ours
is informal," said Doug.
"That’s what’s nice about bed and
breakfasts, their themes and experiences," Micaela added.
Another unique feature at the bed and breakfast that
is available to guests is the apple orchard on their property; guests
are able to buy apples if the apples are ready. There are several
varieties to choose from, such as Gala, Braeburn, Red Delicious,
Liberty, Sun Crisp and Yellow Delicious.
An apple cider press is available for making apple
cider if the season is right and the guests are interested.
"We’re not going to do it on a large scale. We’re just doing it
for fun," said Doug.
|
News Article Courtesy of - Andrea Dunlap and www.monticelloexpress.com
Designed by AgapeWebHost.com
|
|
