From Washington to Chautauqua: a Bed & Breakfast Odyssey, or;
How to Go Home to Grandmas

When Joyce and Scott opened Brasted House Bed & Breakfast adjacent to Chautauqua Institution in the summer of 2000 it was with the thought of providing guests with the experience of coming home to grandma’s house. Going home to Scott meant coming to Chautauqua Institution and spending time with his Grandmother Brasted (Gladys Viola).

While walking across Bestor Plaza on their last day of vacation in July of 1999 Joyce and Scott decided to recreate Grandma’s home. After finding the circa 1860’s Victorian farmhouse, barn and land that now comprise Brasted House they went home and packed. After remodeling it from a retirement home, they moved in and opened the B&B.

“This was quite a change to adjust to”, says Joyce as we enjoy a cup of tea and homemade gingerbread in the sitting room. “We come from Washington D.C., a large metropolitan area where you may or may not know your neighbors. Here you meet people you know everyday in the grocery store, the bank and the recycling center. That friendly feeling permeates Chautauqua County and adds to the charm of the place when people come to stay with us.”

“The move was also a change for us professionally. We come from high-pressure careers in DC. Scott was a lobbyist and I was the Christmas and garden buyer for a large regional home center. We like to say that I was paid to shop and Scott was paid to talk. Now we can relax and enjoy the time we get with our guests.”

And speaking of enjoying guests, the two members of the household who seem to enjoy guests the most are Anna and Picasso, the resident cats. Liter mates, they are brother and sister. They made the move with Joyce and Scott and seem completely comfortable with their roles as official greeters at Brasted House. “No one loves guests as much as Anna and Picasso. They believe all guests are here to see them. Some guests ask about the cats when they arrive before saying ‘Hi, I’m Bill’ when they arrive”, says Scott.

After further probing, it was obvious that neither Joyce or Scott would trade their decision or their new career. “It took me 20 years to convince Joyce that this was a good idea”, remarks Scott. “We used to sit on the screened porch in our house in Bethesda with our friends and talk about how we would run a bed and breakfast. Joyce was always a little skeptical. I think she felt she would be scrubbing floors while I was visiting with guests. Now we both scrub floors and we couldn’t be happier.”

So they are home at Grandma’s. And their home, like grandmas, always includes scrumptious breakfasts that satisfy the soul as well as the body. “It has to be delicious, fresh and homemade,” says Joyce as she puts the finishing touches on Eggs in the Clouds in the kitchen the next morning. “From the beginning our breakfasts have always featured freshly ground fair traded coffee, only the best of teas and all organic ingredients. The morning starts with Scott’s homemade granola, yogurt, fresh fruit and juices and continues with an entrée and baked goods hot out of the oven.” And as I am finding out, fascinating conversation.”

Over the course of six years they have gained greater and greater control of all the pieces that go into making their breakfasts. They have continually worked to find just the right mix that makes each breakfast special. Joyce has even uncovered several vintage Chautauqua recipes they have adjusted to modern ingredients and brought back to life, including today's Eggs in the Clouds and Birds Nest Pie.

“But the hardest item has always been the granola”, says Scott. “We tried many brands of granola but never felt that any were up to our standards. So we decided to take matters into our own hands and develop our own special recipe for granola. The result is Brasted House Bed & Breakfast Granola. The recipe took us over a year and a half to perfect, but we both feel that it is as good as can be now”.

Now when they serve breakfast the granola is a star. Guests take seconds and thirds. They buy some to take home and call and e-mail to buy it and have it shipped to them after they return home. Some give it as gifts.

“After the granola, the most challenging thing about breakfast has been learning to cook for several different dietary restrictions”, says Joyce. “We have had to become familiar with diabetes, lactose intolerance and Celiac Disease. All are a challenge, but Celiac Disease is the most challenging. Everything has gluten in it. But after much research we feel comfortable cooking for almost any diet.”

Lingering over coffee for a few minutes after breakfast is finished rewards guests with conversations that can range over a broad expanse of topics. Often the conversation turns to the Chautauqua Institution, which is just across the street or the local history of why and who lives here. Joyce and Scott are a cross between local historians and local boosters for their quiet rural area. They are always happy to discuss their adopted home with guests or find them just the right activity to make the day perfect.

This dedication to perfection at breakfast extends to every other facet of a guest’s stay at Brasted House Bed & Breakfast. Each room is different and distinct. Each has a unique quality and is decorated around a homemade quilt, most hand made by Joyce. So nights at Brasted House are just as scrumptious as the breakfasts, cuddled under a quilt made for your comfort and luxury, on wonderful soft cotton sheets dried on the line, freshly ironed cotton pillowcases and the most comfortable beds you will ever sleep in.

“When we bought the building it was a retirement home. The floors were covered in carpets over plywood and the original charm had been covered or modified to allow them to handle 17 elderly adults living here. We knew the old bones were good and that the old house was still there, but it took a leap of faith to go in and find them”, explains Scott. “We were especially worried about the floors. Even after we pulled up all the old carpeting and plywood and linoleum we could not tell if the wood floors were worth keeping. Thank goodness for Mayshark Builder’s Jerry Ruff. Jerry spent weeks on his knees painstakingly bringing the white pine floors back to their original glory.”

This is only one of many challenges Joyce and Scott met and conquered in the process of creating Brasted House Bed & Breakfast. With the help of Architect Richard Peebles, Joyce and Scott were able to put a private bath in all seven guest rooms. One is even an ADA compliant handicapped accessible bath. And when two rooms seemed too small to use after a new back staircase was installed, Richard suggested a way to combine them to create a lovely two level room. Gladys Viola, as it is called, is now the most popular room in the Inn. It has been home to many newlyweds and couples celebrating anniversaries.

“We especially love newly weds. We have had the pleasure of sharing several bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions with our guests. We have also hosted family reunions and other special events here at the Inn”, explained Joyce. “And we are always happy to share these happy occasions at our B&B. They are the best experience. It is so good to see a group of people together enjoying each other’s company at a special event. Everyone is happy to be there and hopefully we can help promote that magic.” With five sets of china, more than four sets of silver, crystal and antique and heritage linens, talk about home to grandmas.

And speaking of the Inn being handicapped accessible, Brasted House also features a brand new ramp that comes from the parking area directly to the front porch and meets the front stairs from the parking area. “We wanted to make sure that anyone coming into the house enters and experiences the Inn in exactly the same way, no matter whether they walk or ride, so we made sure the ramp and the stairs end right next to each other”, Scott explained. “This idea was extended to the inside of the house with the elevator opening right next to where the front stairs land at the second floor foyer. This makes the house feel the same for everyone who comes here.” And yes the Inn really has an elevator.

Brasted House Bed & Breakfast is located just steps from the center of Chautauqua Institution at 4833 West Lake Road in the Town of Chautauqua, New York. You can visit them (and the cats) year-round. They can be reached toll free at 888-753-6205 or by e-mail at stay@brastedhouse.com.

Joyce and Scott are New York State certified EMTs and members of the Chautauqua Volunteer Fire Department. So now you can feel doubly safe when you stay at Brasted House Bed & Breakfast.