Archive for the ‘remodeling’ Category

Play-cation…Jefferson Texas Style

August 5th, 2011 by carriagehouse

Caddo Lake

Ugh!  It is the dog days of Summer and the heat has gotten everyone down.  There is only one place that I want to be this time of year…in the water.  Fortunately for me (and for you), Jefferson sits right smack in the middle of two lakes.  There is plenty of water action to keep me wet and cool this incredibly hot summer.

About 20 minutes to west of Jefferson is Lake o’ the Pines with it’s open waters and beautiful Pine Tree covered hill sides.  Lake o’ the Pines is a perfect destination for boaters and fisherman alike.  After a long hot day on the water, you can enjoy one Lake o’ the Pines many beaches and swim or enjoy a romantic picnic.

About 20 minutes to east of Jefferson is the ethereal and mysterious Caddo Lake.  Covered by moss draped Bald Cypress trees, you can spend hours drifting in and out of the many bayous and sloughs on this otherworldly lake.    This location is so beautiful and unique that many different movies have been filmed here, and once you have seen this eerie swamp, you will no why.

Don’t forget that the Carriage House B&B is running a Kitchen Remodeling Special.  $79 for any room, any night.  Since the kitchen is the room that is being remodeled, we are unable to serve breakfast.   This is $60 savings over our regular rate.

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Posted in Caddo Lake, Friends of Caddo Lake, Graceful Ghost, Jefferson Texas, lake o the pines, lodging, remodeling, Specials and Promotions, The Carriage House Bed and Breakfast | Comments Off

Update on the Painting of the Carriage House Bed & Breakfast

August 4th, 2011 by carriagehouse

Dixie and Paint

Last week, the painters were busy scrapping all of the old paint off and we laughed at how awful the place looked.  We kept calling it Jefferson Shabby Chic.  I guess we just figured it just couldn’t get worse…wrong.  This week, the painters came in and put brown butcher paper over the windows of the main house so that they can prime and paint.  So now we are saying the house has that nice abandoned property look.

Our painters have been working amazingly hard the last two weeks.  When you consider that it has been 108 to 111 degrees every day this week and they have worked ALL day long, we can agree they have done an impressive job.  I keep going out and checking on them to make sure that they are alright and not lying unconscience in my yard from a heat stroke.

This past week, they finished scraping and priming the whole house.  They are now sanding down any unfinished edges or burrs and then they will put another coat of primer on it tomorrow.  Next week, we will start painting.  I can’t wait for all y’all to see the new and improved Carriage House B&B.

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Posted in Jefferson Texas, remodeling, The Carriage House Bed and Breakfast | Comments Off

August 3rd, 2011 by carriagehouse

Water Lily

JEFFERSON, TEXAS

WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT

AUGUST 4-7, 2011

*     “INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OF DIFFERING CULTURES OF CHRISTIANITY”

Performed by:  Dan & Charlotte Smelser on period and ethnic instruments

Sunday, August 7 @ 11:00 a.m.

Location:  1st Methodist Church, 305 W. Henderson

(903) 665-3268

 

*       AUNTIE SKINNER’S RIVERBOAT CLUB & RESTAURANT

Thursday,  August 4:  “Karaoke”  @ 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Friday,  August 5:  “Auntie Skinner’s has Talent” Preliminary Round III @ 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 6:  “8-Track”  (Classic Rock N’Roll)  9:00pm-1:00 a.m.

(903) 665-7121

 

*        KARAOKE

Saturday, August 6 @ 8:00 p.m.-12:00 midnight

Location:  The Sandwich Shop, 123 W. Austin

(903) 601-2211

 

*      BINGO!

Location:  Pine Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation, 1307 MLK

Each Monday in August @ 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Prizes & refreshments  -Free-

(903) 472-841

 

*      TURNING BASIN RIVERBOAT TOURS

200 Bayou St.

Tuesday-Friday @ 12:00 noon & 2:00 p.m.

Saturdays @ 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.

(Weather permitting)

Closed:  Sunday & Monday

(903) 665-2222

www.jeffersonbayoutours.com

*      LONE STAR CARRIAGE COMPANY OF JEFFERSON

Historical tours of Jefferson by horse & carriage and Mule Drawn Wagon

Specializing in weddings

Friday-Sunday, August 5-7

(Weather permitting)

Groups and special events available by appointment

Departs from corner of Austin & Market (across from the Jefferson Historical Museum)

(903) 926-8216

www.jeffersontexascarriage.com      

Call for reservations

 

*     JEFFERSON PEDAL POWER

122 E. Austin

Bicycles, Trikes, Tandems, Surreys & more

By reservation

(903) 926-5167

www.JeffersonPedalPower.com

*        HISTORIC JEFFERSON RAILWAY

* Friday, August 5 @ 8:00 p.m. -  Free Ghost Stories & 9:00 p.m. – Ghost Train

(Note:  due to heat conditions, the train may not run on Friday evening.  Final

determination will be made each Friday @ 5:00 p.m.  Please call to confirm.

Saturday, August 6 @ 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. (Day Excursions)

7:00 p.m. – Free Crafts & Carnival

8:00 p.m. -  Free Ghost Stories & 9:00 p.m. – Ghost Train

(903) 665-6400 or (866) 398-2038

www.JeffersonRailway.com

 

*       LAFAYETTE STREET VINTAGE VEHICLES CAR MUSEUM

112 W. Lafayette

Friday & Saturday, August 5-6 @ 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

(903) 240-6180

Call for additional tours

 

*      CULBERSON HOUSE HISTORIC HOME TOUR

403 N. Walnut

(903) 665-7888

www.culbersonhousebandb.com

*  By reservation.  Call for tour times

*    HOUSE OF THE SEASONS HISTORIC HOME TOUR

409 S. Alley

Daily @ 11:00 a.m.

(903) 665-8000

      Reservations required

www.houseoftheseasons.com

 

*    SINGLETON’S VIRGINIA CROSS HISTORIC HOME TOUR

401 Soda St.

Saturday, August 6 @ 1:00 p.m.

(903) 665-3938  (903) 665-8518 or (214) 725-6232

Call for reservations & additional tour dates and times

 

*   THE GROVE HAUNTED HISTORIC HOME TOUR

405 Moseley

Saturday, August 6 @ 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 7 @ 11:00 a.m.

(903) 665-8018

www.thegrove-jefferson.com

Call to confirm tour

*   EXCELSIOR HOUSE HOTEL & JAY GOULD RAILCAR TOUR

211 W. Austin

Tours:  Monday-Friday @ 2:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday @ 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.

(903) 665-2513

Call to confirm tour times

www.theexcelsiorhouse.com

 

*   JEFFERSON HISTORICAL MUSEUM

223 W. Austin

Open daily:  9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

(903) 665-2775

www.jeffersonmuseum.com

 

*    H & D EXOTIC DEER FARM AND OTHER EXOTIC ANIMALS

359 P.R. 5730 & Hwy 729

Open:  Sunday-Friday (Closed:  Saturday)

(903) 665-2238

Reservations required

www.hddeerfarmtours.homestead.com

*   THE GRACEFUL GHOST PADDLEWHEEL STEAMBOAT ON CADDO LAKE

Tuesday-Friday @ 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

Saturday @ 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

Sunday & Monday:  Closed

Pontoon Boat tours at any time with prior  reservation

Location:  Shady Glade Marina, 510 Cypress Drive, Uncertain, TX

(903) 789-2238

www.gracefulghost.com

Call for reservations & additional tours

 

*  BILLY CARTER’S GO-DEVIL TOURS ON CADDO LAKE

Location:  Johnson’s Ranch in Uncertain, TX

(903) 789-3213

Call for reservations

www.caddoguideservice.com

 

*   CADDO OUTBACK BACKWATER TOURS

Personalized Tours of Caddo Lake

Uncertain, TX

(903) 789-3384 or (903) 679-9138

Call for reservations

www.caddooutback.com

 

*   CADDO LAKE PADDLEWHEEL TOURS “THE SWAMP THING”

Uncertain, TX

(888) 325-5459 or (903) 789-2101

Open:  Tuesday-Saturday

Closed:  Sunday & Monday

Call for reservations

www.caddolakepaddlewheeltours.com

 

*   JEFFERSON CARNEGIE LIBRARY

301 W. Lafayette

Monday-Thursday @ 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Friday @ 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Saturday @ 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Closed:  Sunday

(903) 665-8911

www.jeffersoncarnegielibrary.com

Free internet access

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Posted in Auntie Skinners, Bed and Breakfast, Caddo Lake, carriage rides, Dining, Excelsior Hotel, Ghost Tours, Graceful Ghost, Historic Jefferson Museum, Historic Jefferson Railway, Jefferson, Jefferson Texas, lake o the pines, lodging, remodeling, Specials and Promotions, state parks, Steamships, summer vacation, The Carriage House Bed and Breakfast, The Ghost Train, Winery | Comments Off

The Diamond Bessie Room gets a Facelift

March 9th, 2011 by carriagehouse

Diamond Bessie Workers

One of the challenges to owning an old house is that there is ALWAYS maintenance to be done…and oh by the way, the warranty was up over a century ago.  Some of the work can be challenging such as old plumbing but other work can be fun such as picking out a new paint color or new curtains for the room.

I always hated the color of the Diamond Bessie Room.  It was this yellow buttery color that never went with the theme of the room.  We didn’t paint it that color.  It was that color when we bought the place.  The room badly needed a fresh coat of paint since it probably hasn’t been updated in 10 years or better.  However, other projects always took priority to this room getting repainted.  Finally, the Diamond Bessie’s number came up this week and the room is getting a fresh and new color of  paint.  I have chosen a darker, richer color of brown for this room.  I am hoping that this new paint color really amps up the elegance of the Diamond Bessie Room.

This is one of the benefits of staying at a Bed & Breakfast versus a hotel or motel.  We are always looking for new ways to improve our guest experience.  We are always looking at our rooms, our service, our breakfasts, and our packages to determine if it is the best that we can deliver.   Tom and I are always tweaking things so that we can make a stay at the Carriage House Bed and Breakfast the most romantic, the most adventurous, or the most relaxing place it can be for our guests.  That is why we say that staying at a B&B is a Better Way To Stay!

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Posted in Bed and Breakfast, Diamond Bessie, Jefferson Texas, remodeling, The Carriage House Bed and Breakfast | Comments Off

Pardon Our Dust – More Remodeling.

August 9th, 2010 by carriagehouse

Sometimes I feel like I am living an episode of “This Old House”. In fact, I wish I had the budget and the contractors that they have on “This Old House”. We are beginning another couple of phases of remodeling this week. The house may look a little unfinished for a while but the completed product will be fabulous.

Here is a short list of projects ahead of us for the remainder of 2010 and the first half of 2011.

  • Repair and repaint the walls of the Diamond Bessie. We will be painting the walls a rich brown.

  • Repair and repaint the walls of the Ruth Lester (f.k.a Jewel Room). Don’t worry, we are staying the same color.

  • Repair and repaint all exterior walls of all 3 buildings. We begin work on this tomorrow.

  • Repair and repaint all porches.

  • Replace all pedestal sinks with cabinet sinks for more counter top space.

  • Install bathroom amoires in the Diamond Bessie, the Ruth Lester and the Ladybird Cottage

  • Replace claw foot tubs in the Allen Urquhart and Ruth Lester with jacuzzi whirlpool claw foot tubs. This one is my personal favorite.

  • Blow up and completely redo the kitchen. This is a big one!!!

Phew! This is a lot of work. I am not looking ofrward to all of the dust and tripping over the trades. However, the end product will be fabulous.

    Posted in remodeling | Comments Off

    The Transformation Continues!

    November 23rd, 2009 by Skyla Grimes

    OMG! What a week we have had here at The Carriage House. We have been remodeling and updating this old house. I don’t think that our repeat guests will recognize their favorite rooms.

    There really was too much action last week for me to go into a lot of detail. So I will just give you some bullet points.

    • I ordered a new Queen size bed for the Jay Gould Room. The room had a double bed and I don’t believe that most grown adults like to sleep in such a small bed. The new bed will be delivered tomorrow (11/24). I already have a beautiful quilt that my mother made for the bed so I am ready for the new furniture.

    • The mattresses that used to be in the Jay Gould Room has been moved to the Jewel Room. The Jewel Room used to have a Double Bed and a Twin Bed. Now that the Jewel Room has two Double beds, it can sleep four people instead of three. Of course the bedding that was on the twin bed did not fit on the double bed, so I had to purchase all new bedding for that room.

    • The Diamond Bessie Room has a new floor, new furniture and new rugs. We also added a fireplace to the room to make it even more romantic.

    • The Ladybird Cottage has been going through a complete makeover. It now has a new floor, new paint, new curtains, new rugs, new bedding, new furniture, new ceiling fan and a new flat screen TV. We also added a fireplace to this room to amp up the charm factor of this truly pretty room. My mother has been making a new quilt for this room and I will pick it up next week. Chris Garrett, our painter, said the room looked very “spring” like.

    • Kathy Lambert of My Fathers Garden is trowel deep in restoring the gardens. We had all of the old overgrown gardens pulled out about a month ago. The trees were in bad need of a trimming and we had that done as well. Now Kathy is in the process of planting new butterfly and hummingbird gardens. She has the whole project broken into about seven phases and she completed phase one today. She installed some ground cover and new plants between the two carriage houses. Words cannot describe what a difference that made already. The whole project should be complete some time in the spring. Stay tuned for an announcement of an open house to show off our new gardens some time in May.

    What a difference a week can make. I can’t wait until all of you can get out here and see the place! We will be updating the room pictures on the website in the next week.

    Posted in gardens, remodeling | Comments Off

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