They say that curb appeal is one of the first ways to make a great first impression when selling a home. We are definitely not trying to sell Peacock House, but we do want to enhance its curb appeal. They also say that good fences make great neighbors…
Our resident wood craftsman, Jim, had been itching for a new project and wanted to get back to working with wood. So he decided to put this into action by extending our picket fence to the front yard, using a pineapple motif started long ago by a previous innkeeper along the side of the property.
After he decided to take on the project, I’d catch Jim studying the scenery outside the kitchen window as we were making breakfast for our guests. Thinking he was looking at the ever-changing waters of the bay, I’d comment on what a beautiful dawn was breaking, only to get an absent-minded grunt as a reply. After days of me commenting on the view, I finally caught on to the subject of his scrutiny. He was planning how to build the fence with his need for exacting precision despite our sloping front lawn.
The project was the subject of much speculation by folks in town. We received many questions, (most of them asked with great concern). “Why was Jim leaving the fence posts so long?” (They were six feet tall and would eventually be cut to size in the last stage of the job.) “Were we building a fortress?” “Why did we need a fence?” Eventually they were reassured as the job came together.
We are, no, I am enjoying the finished product. After a coat of a super-primer, Jim painted the fence to bring it to perfection. At least perfection for me. Jim, the eternal self-critic can find some imaginary flaws in it. Our guests seem to like it and are amazed that Jim made the whole thing himself from start to finish.
Why not schedule a visit to Peacock House to decide for yourself?
So, our good fence with a wide-opening entrance is making good neighbors…and is welcoming great guests to the Inn.
Next job: continue the spruce-up by painting the exterior shutters and front door!
