The perfect place for your next girls' getaway...

  If you know any quilters, scrapbookers, book clubs, or other small groups that like to do weekend get-aways, this is a perfect spot, so pass this link along to them. PLEASE!

atmarionsplace.com

I've mentioned Marion's Place on here before, but now that the website is up, I wanted to be sure you all really know about this five bedroom farmhouse, that can be rented for events, retreats, and celebrations, or as a great alternative to a hotel, if you are traveling as a group. 

When last weekend's guests arrived, I happened to be there, tweaking a few last-minute details, while owner Cindy Heimerl ran a quick errand. It was a group of women who do a "girls' getaway" every year.  Looking for a place convenient for women travelling from opposite directions, one gal's husband found Marion's through the local chamber of commerce.  From my out-of-sight spot, I got to hear the first reactions of some of them, which ran along the lines of "This is the nicest place we've ever rented." and "This could get to be a habit!" and "Oh, you have to see this room!" 


Cindy's website has a beautifully done slide show of the house, but that was just after the basic decorating, and before Cindy had time to do what she does best, which is layer up the most unexpected combination of fabrics, pretties, and fine art into absolutely scrumptious environments.  I'm still working from a borrowed computer, with no way to crop photos, so I can only show you these few snaps, but hopefully this will give you an idea of what had that group of women oohing and ahhing well into the next day, when they visited downtown, and were overheard by locals who know the place.

Every bedroom has cozy corners for quiet time to yourself, but don't worry, there's plenty of gathering space, as well.  As you will see on the website, the generous sized dining room has a long library table, perfect for projects or eating, and if it's the former, not to worry, because the kitchen has a generous sized table for noshing between creative sessions.

The house isn't only for women, but it certainly has a feminine vibe, with lots of sparkles, classical statuary, and sweet details.  If you are looking for a venue for an intimate wedding, Marion's place is perfect, and even more perfect than perfect, because Cindy happens to be a wedding officiant, on top of being an entrepreneur with fabulous taste, and vision.  Come summertime, there is also a barn (with chandeliers...you just have to see it), that can be rented separately.

Marion's Place is also convenient.  You get the privacy of a farmhouse in the country, but barely five minutes down the hill is a full sized grocery, pharmacy and liquor store, and two more minutes brings you into downtown Belle Plaine, where there's a cafe, a coffee shop, a bakery, and several taverns...oh, yeah, and me!  Two minutes down the hill from here, and you are on the banks of the Minnesota River, in a stretch known nationally for great bird watching.  At the moment, due to Minnesota's very snowy winter, we're known for the only river crossing not flooded for 30 miles in either direction.  Don't worry, Belle Plaine is on a bluff above the river, and Marion's is uphill from here.

I hope you will take a minute to check out the website, and do us the kindness of telling others.  You never know who might have need of a great little get-away spot like this.  atmarionsplace.com

I hope you have a great weekend.  I'm working straight through, doing one bedroom paint job, and touching up festival signs for a local church, plus prepping to have all three Artgirls here at once on Monday.  It's Spring Break, and when they begged for a gathering of the girls, to which I agreed, I'm not sure I was thinking clearly.  Three very smart, very high energy, very creative little girls, playing off of eachother may be the undoing of me...check back Tuesday morning to see if I survived!

Need paint?  check out my portfolio theartofthehome.com

Did google or someone send you here looking for decorating or crafting instructions?  Please feel free to email me with questions.  If it has to do with cooking, sewing, crafting, faux finishes, or decorating, I might be able to help, so don't hesitate.  Really.  dawnmariedelara@gmail.com