February, of course, brings thoughts of Valentine’s Day, the most romantic of holidays. Or at least it should be. The reality, as we all know—the kids, the bills, the dog vs. cat, the kitchen that never seems clean—sometimes intrudes upon a couple’s best-laid plans for wine-and-dine romance.
So what better way to ensure that a romantic evening unfolds according to plan than by entrusting reality to grandma or a sitter for a night or two and then making a couple’s getaway? You need not go far; the Childress-Ray House in historic downtown Murfreesboro is one such romantic Valentine’s destination. A newly renovated and beautifully furnished home on the National Register of Historic Places, the Childress-Ray House is located just off the main square with its shops, restaurants and pubs. Built in 1847, the house’s thick plaster walls provide plenty of privacy while its wrought-iron fence ensures security. The enclosed grounds include a beautiful garden, a charming veranda, an extant root cellar and an original stable. The home contains the main house and three adjoining apartments that were added in the 1940s. The home also contains most of its original hardwood floors, moldings, fireplaces and light fixtures. Sandi Baylis purchased and updated the property in 2014 and made it into the charming B&B it is today.
All three apartments are available during the month of February and are cozy and quaint. In the upstairs Magnolia Suite, snuggle up with your significant other on the comfy sofa or the antique canopy bed. You may also choose from the cozy Gardener Suite or the downstairs Coy Dunson Suite, the biggest of the three apartments.
During your stay, stroll the grounds and check out the original 1800s kitchen and fireplace, potters shed and the two front porches. Or gather 'round the fire pit on the light-strung back patio with a hot toddy. The parlor in the main house is accessible to all guests and is an ideal space to have a chat or just settle in beside the wood-burning fire with a good book. Sandi, the host, wants to help you make your stay a memorable one, so feel free to contact her with any inquiries and requests. She’ll happily sit and chat for hours with you or just as cheerfully respect your request for privacy. You can reach her here at sandilbaylis@gmail.com.
Sandra Baylis, herself a cancer survivor, is proud to partner with Nashville Wine Auction. Use the phrase "a toast to the cure" when booking a romantic suite during the month of February and enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine with a portion of your guest fee going to battle cancer.
