The B&B industry is taking a break from Presidential politics and contemplating something of much greater national importance…the fate of the doily. In an effort to add some levity to the months of contentious campaigning ahead, the Professional Association of Innkeepers International has created Doily Decision 2012. All travelers are encouraged to weigh in on the destiny of the doily. Are you Pro Doily or No Doily? That is the question at hand for travelers coming for Maine Midcoast vacations this summer.
The tongue-in-cheek campaign comes complete with campaign videos brought to you by the Liberate Your Furniture Super Pac supporting the No Doilists and the Crochet for a New Day Super Pac supporting the Pro Doilists. Click on the links above and watch them for a smile.
While there’s humor in this campaign, complete with a Doily care programs to support the preservation of senior doilies from the Pro-Doily party, there’s a more serious intention fueling it. The purpose of the Doily Campaign is to demonstrate that there’s an inn or B&B for everyone, each with its unique and distinct décor, ambiance and welcome. On Maine’s Midcoast there are four distinctly different and intriguing historic inns in Rockland.
Historic Inns of Rockland are the perfect example of B&Bs running the gambit from Victorian and doily-filled to contemporary and cottage-styled. Step into the Berry Manor Inn and the LimeRock Inn and you are immediately transported to a time when life was simpler and Victorian customs like adding closets to show one’s means was the norm (homeowners were taxed based upon the number of rooms and a room was defined as four walls and a door, thus closets constituted rooms). Doilies, lace, lavish architectural features, and more were signs of opulence in Victorian times and have been preserved in these beautiful Victorian homes turned inn today. Berry Manor’s Cheryl Michaelsen is Doily-Proud, and feels that no Victorian inn should be without its fair share of doilies.
Step into Granite Inn and the décor is decidedly contemporary. Here in this No-Doily inn avant-garde meets contemporary styling with what has been described as a fresh and modern look. Bold, solid colors, shiny chrome and innovative artwork, lighting and linens are more the norm here. Doilies simply aren’t part of the decorating scheme at Granite Inn.
The Captain Lindsey House offers a blend, weighing in as Doily Independent. While you’ll find a doily here and there to protect antique surfaces, they are not a prominent part of the style here. Filled with diversely styled furniture, artwork and artifacts obtained from Captains Ken and Ellen Barnes’ worldwide travels, the Captain Lindsey House décor would best be described as maritime in feel and eclectic in style.
One thing that both the Pro and No Doily parties can agree upon: inns and B&Bs are the better way to stay and in Rockland they are the Rockland way to stay. Where do you stand on doilies? The Historic Inns of Rockland would love to know. Cast your vote at http://www.betterwaytostay.com/doily-campaign/.
