Stay: Honor + Folly (Soon!)
Detroit, Michigan
Within ten minutes of meeting Sharon, the owner of the Marston House from Monday’s post, I was standing in her cutting garden full of wild flowers spontaneously confessing my dream of opening a small bed and breakfast in Detroit.
She said she’s been reading about Detroit, and all the people who are rebuilding the city. She told me to do it. No, she insisted I do it. She told me that there are people who dream and people who do things, and it was that summer afternoon in Maine that I knew I would open Honor + Folly. I’ve been so inspired by all the people and places I’ve been writing about for the past year, I’ve decided to join ‘em. I don’t have photos yet (besides the exterior shot above), and you’ll have to bear with me while I paint, stock, source, sand furniture, adorn walls, make beds, knit pillows and hang a shingle.
This doesn’t necessarily mean designtripper is changing. Traveling is eye-opening and thrilling, and I will always be drawn to the sense of adventure and discovery that comes with exploring a new place. But I also feel a strong pull to be more active and present in my own community, in my own neighborhood. Detroit, for all its problems, is hands-down the most creative, life-affirming city I’ve ever been to (if you don’t believe me, watch this). I’m proud to say that about the city I call home, and I am excited to share it–here and with travelers.
In the meantime, I’ll continue to post regularly about imaginative, thoughtfully designed vacation homes, b&bs, small-scale inns, and family-owned hotels that inspire a different, more intimate kind of travel experience than a big hotel can provide. And who knows, maybe it is possible to be a dreamer and a doer, both. Stay tuned for updates!
05 October 2011 | David G. Said:
Good luck Marine, hope to stay at the Honor + Folly in a near future!!
05 October 2011 | David G. Said:
I meant Meghan, not Marine !
05 October 2011 | Matt N Said:
Wow, Congrats Meghan! All cities, including Detroit, could use a dose of your vision and courage. If I can help at all, let me know.
05 October 2011 | vanessa Said:
A doer & A dreamer. the dream combo. I hope, I wish we can stay at Honor & Folly one day. I wish you all the best of luck in the world. it’s a thrilling project. it’s my dream too, since i’ve been in my early 20′s, to open a pousada or a ryad somewhere, some day… you’ll be an inspiration. xx
05 October 2011 | Amy L Said:
I’m soooooo excited for you! Can’t wait to see how it turns out, although I already know it’ll be great
05 October 2011 | Dorothy Said:
I can’t think of a better place to open this!
05 October 2011 | lee Said:
How exciting!! You’ll do a great job with it.
05 October 2011 | Creeping Beauty Said:
great stuff, good luck & well done.
05 October 2011 | Atelier Turner Said:
Congrats, Meghan! This is exciting news. So happy for you. I guess dreams do come true? Good luck with everything and I can’t wait to see the results and follow along. All the best!
Atelier Turner
05 October 2011 | Quidnunc Said:
I”m a Detroiter, currently in Chicago for grad school. I will most certainly stay there and walk next door to Slow’s to gulp bbq down my throat. Thank you
05 October 2011 | Shannon Said:
Aw! Congratulations~ wishing you much success.
05 October 2011 | Alison Said:
Congratulations! It looks like it will be lovely. Looking forward to coming for a visit someday.
05 October 2011 | Mark M. Said:
Family discounts?
05 October 2011 | Sarah Said:
Yea! Go you!
05 October 2011 | Con Said:
Congrats! Can’t wait to be a guest. Have to have a comfy place to rest after consuming Slow’s world famous mac ‘n cheese
05 October 2011 | Meghan Said:
Aw, thanks everybody! Looking forward to hosting you all (or at least keeping you updated). xo
06 October 2011 | Helen Said:
How exciting! It looks like an amazing space – I can’t wait to see what you do with it. Wishing you all the best.
06 October 2011 | Smith & Ratliff Said:
This is so admirable! Can’t wait to read more. I’m sure it will be an amazing space.
09 October 2011 | Sarah Magley Said:
SO PROUD OF YOU!!! Meghan, you are such and inspiration! Love you and wish you much success! Congratulations! I will have to come and stay!
11 October 2011 | Jamie Said:
I can’t wait to live vicariously through you!!!! I hope to join the ranks of family-run-creative-B&B owners that love the place they live one day soon…I just have to find the place I love most. Best of luck!!!
15 October 2011 | Tim Said:
damn, I need a place Saturday!
18 October 2011 | Deborah Pugh Said:
Yay! I’ve been hoping you’d do this ever since you gave me all those tips that made for a perfect Detroit trip last April. So excited for you, and very eager to book a room as soon as you open. Many many congratulations.
18 October 2011 | jill Said:
holy cow that’s cool!!! can’t wait to see it!
18 October 2011 | tereasa Said:
i am so freaking excited to see what you do. im sure its going to be amazing. congrats. and thank you for being such a driving inspiration!!
20 October 2011 | Shannan Said:
Meghan,
So excited! I can’t wait for Honor + Folly to open it’s door. I wanted to drop you a note to say “thank you”. Recently took a 3 week road trip through france. No itinerary and lot’s of happy accidents. Whenever I got stuck on where to navigate to next. I popped on the blog to see if you had posted any interesting places to check out within a 3 hour drive. Ended up at Maison Troisgros and best of all “La Colline du Colombier”. Magical place and a great escape from Paris. Wouldn’t have found it without you. A place I will continue to frequent on my bi-annual trips to Paris. In fact……you helped make my husband fall in love with France.
Best of luck in your new endeavor!
Best,
Shannan
25 October 2011 | Meghan Said:
Shannan: Thank you so much for your comment. Wow, I love knowing that designtripper directly inspired such a great, real experience. Thanks for sharing.
11 November 2011 | Herman Cain Gets On Detroit Ruin Porn Train For New Campaign Ad | Reviews Said:
[...] and wrote an article titled, “Detroit’s Renewal, Slow-Cooked.” There’s a bed-and-breakfast coming to that strip, which is not the sort of amenity you associate with blasted-out neighborhoods. Here [...]
11 November 2011 | US Presidential Election » Herman Cain Offers Up Detroit Ruin Porn Said:
[...] and wrote an article titled, “Detroit’s Renewal, Slow-Cooked.” There’s a bed-and-breakfast coming to that strip, which is not the sort of amenity you associate with blasted-out neighborhoods. Here [...]
12 November 2011 | Herman Cain Gets On Detroit Ruin Porn Train For New Campaign Ad | My Blog Said:
[...] and wrote an article titled, “Detroit’s Renewal, Slow-Cooked.” There’s a bed-and-breakfast coming to that strip, which is not the sort of amenity you associate with blasted-out neighborhoods. Here [...]
12 November 2011 | Herman Cain Gets On Detroit Ruin Porn Train For New Campaign Ad - Top Rated Online Degree Programs - Online Degrees Direct Said:
[...] and wrote an essay titled, “Detroit’s Renewal, Slow-Cooked.” There’s a bed-and-breakfast coming to that strip, that is not a arrange of amenity we associate with blasted-out neighborhoods. Here [...]