Contact: Kinsay Noris, Marketing Director
Phone: 828-264-1299

A beautiful lady, just waiting for someone

By: Sara Pitzer

          When Tessa Russo saw the Taylor House the first time, she said, "It's a beautiful lady, just waiting for someone."

Her husband, Bernard, admired what he calls "the classical old house," too, and says, "We fell in love with this part of the country." And so Tessa and Bernard became innkeepers a year ago.

         They're not your average mountain innkeepers. Tessa is French; Bernard is Italian. They found Taylor House while visiting Bernard's sister, Marie, one of the relatively new innkeepers at nearby Mast Farm Inn. They've all come from the Caribbean to what Bernard calls "The Caribbean of North Carolina."

         Under Russo's guidance, renovation and remodeling hav turned the Taylor House Inn into a beautiful lady Tessa envisioned, including revived grounds and herb garden. The decor of the rooms includes handmade quilts and antiques. Two adjoining rooms in the main house are especially suited to families.

         This place is well-suited to group events, including weddings, and welcomes them. One quirky offering allows guests the opportunity to rent and drive a Porsche during their stay, making arrangements through the inn's rental system. See the Club Ferdinand Collection Porsches (www.cludferdinand.us).