Lorry Perkins
Writer, Travel Blogger
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Bed & Breakfast | Ashtabula, OH | The Dreamcatcher Inn | Near Lake Erie
We recently stayed at the Dreamcatcher Inn in Ashtabula, OH, and were amazed at the exquisite attention to detail in this newly renovated 1890s home. Once we met the Innkeeper, Lorrie Lloyd, we began to understand the intricacies woven into the spectacular design and purposeful placements of cherished furnishings from years of living in exotic places around the world, extensive travel, and pieces preserved from familial treasures.
Lorrie, tell my readers a little about your background and how it influenced the creation of this magnificent home and bed & breakfast.
In 2008, I helped my sister run her exclusive Inn located in Sonoma, CA, for several months. Meeting people from around the world was wonderful and a great learning experience. While traveling, I prefer staying in a B&B rather than a hotel; I enjoy seeing how they interact with their guests and their beautiful homes. I looked forward to owning my own B&B for many years. Truthfully, I didn’t think it would really happen. As I prepared to retire from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, I wasn’t sure where I wanted to live, but I KNEW what I wanted to do. I came to Ashtabula to visit family and saw a dilapidated house that tugged at my heart. In 2019, I purchased and renovated my 1890 Victorian home for the next two years. Because I have finally realized my greatest desire, I call my home The Dreamcatcher Inn. While living abroad, I purchased unique furnishings for my future B&B.
The bed in our room was super comfy, and the well-equipped bathroom was enormous. I exclaimed that the heated toilet seat was life-changing for me. Please describe in detail the rooms and amenities that are available.
My home won a historical renovation award a couple of years ago. To protect my handmade carpets and for health and cleanliness, my home is no shoes. I also do not allow smoking on my property. I incorporated central heat and air, which is unusual for 130-year-old buildings. Every room is well appointed with vintage furniture, comfortable mattresses, beautiful art and décor, and rugs from various countries. It has five bedrooms and four full bathrooms. I currently use three rooms and two baths for the B&B. On occasion, I may offer my attic space, which has a queen bed, a full bath with a large soaking tub, and a big screen TV. It has slanted attic ceilings, a ceiling fan, and is rather whimsical.
One bedroom is located at the front of the house. It is furnished with a mixture of Asian and Middle Eastern décor, has two double beds and a large-screen TV. This room must share a bath.
The next room is quite large, with a queen bed, Belgian tapestry bedding, beautiful oil paintings, and furnishings from Germany. It opens up to the original bathroom with a claw-foot soaking tub, double sinks, and Japanese décor. The crowning feature of this bathroom is the Japanese toilet with a heated seat—a must for cold Ohio nights. This room shares a bath with the double room. These two rooms are perfect for family or friends traveling together.
The last room has a queen bed with a beautiful European Schrunk, desk, art, and mirrors. The large glass-enclosed walk-in shower is perfect for two. This bathroom also has a Japanese toilet with a heated seat and double sinks.
The house is equipped with Wi-Fi and beautiful books and magazines. There are several seating areas throughout the house with comfortable chairs, chaise lounges, sofa, and rocking chairs. There are three furnished porches (in good weather).
We’ve stayed at several B&Bs and enjoyed a wide variety of breakfasts. Still, the breakfast you served, consisting of a homemade broccoli quiche, bacon, scalloped potatoes, banana bread, and a lovely croissant, was worthy of a 5-star hotel. You most definitely could earn the moniker of the “Martha Stewart of Ashtabula.” All kidding aside, I know you love to cook, and it shows. Tell my readers more about your love of cooking, where you find your recipes, and what type of ingredients you use.
Coming from a family with five children – we all did our share of cooking and baking. Many of my recipes are passed down from generations of family. I have always loved collecting cookbooks and have my favorites. The special dishes always bring smiles to friends, family, and guests. I use mostly organic fruits and vegetables (some from our garden or the farmer’s market), butter, quality oils, and farm-fresh dairy products.
My sisters, who conveniently live next door, keep me stocked with homemade bread. They are also on hand to help with the cooking and cleaning. My favorite breakfast foods include vegetable quiche, scrambled eggs, home-fried potatoes, bacon or ham, freshly baked muffins, fruit parfait, croissants, and cinnamon rolls. I also have a selection of gourmet teas, coffee, and fruit juice. Meals are served on dishes from Poland, Japan, England and Czechoslovakia.
Our visit was in the winter, but you mentioned your vision for the outdoor spaces around your home. What are your plans and ideas?
The front yard is surrounded by a hand-forged wrought iron fence fashioned after a 150-year gate I brought from Germany. In the spring and summer, the yards are well-manicured and awash with color from the myriad flowers and trees. Being newly renovated and landscaped, the gardens and flower beds continue to grow more vibrant each year. The backyard has a pergola patio with a bench swing and hammock. The larger patio has seating and a table for outdoor meals. Future plans include a gas fire pit and hot tub. For further outdoor fun, we have a cornhole game.
I had the pleasure of meeting your sister, Vickie, who owns the Serendipity Massage Studio across the street from you. She offers Swedish, deep tissue, reflexology, aroma touch massage, and more. Have you considered how your businesses may complement each other in the future?
We look forward to offering a package deal that includes bed, breakfast, and a massage. How convenient it would be for our guests to walk out the back door, cross the parking lot, and find themselves in a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind massage studio. Click here to learn more about Serendipity Massage Studio and schedule an appointment.
What else would you like my readers to know?
The Dreamcatcher Inn is within walking distance to Walnut Beach on beautiful Lake Erie and the many restaurants and unique shops in the historic Harbor area. If you like vintage, Fat Sally’s is right around the corner. It’s hard to leave empty-handed. Ashtabula is less than 10 miles from Geneva on the Lake, the Coney Island of Ohio.
You don’t have a website because you are in the beginning stages of offering your lovely home to travelers, so how should they contact you for reservations?
I may be reached by phone or text at 440-789-3730. By summer, I should be on Facebook and have a working website where guests can check availability and book a room online.
Meet Lorrie Lloyd
Lorrie was a Navy brat who grew up in Fallon, Nevada, and San Diego, California. She enlisted in the military ~ and was in one of the last battalions of the Women’s Army Corps. Lorrie was a soldier for eight years and remained with the government, working as an Executive Officer for the US Army Corps of Engineers until her retirement in 2019. During nearly 35 years of service, she had the pleasure of spending 13 years in Japan (two different occasions), 11 years in Germany (two different occasions), five years in Israel, and nearly four years in Afghanistan (two different occasions). Three years in Brooklyn, NY (a foreign country in and of itself). She is blessed to be the mother of three amazing sons. In 2010, all four served in Afghanistan at the same time. Lorrie has a degree in Psychology. She enjoys cooking, baking, and hosting friends and family in her beautiful home. Lorrie’s hobbies include reading, sewing, scrapbooking, and other crafts. She enjoys making her yard beautiful and walking and riding among nature.
Lorry, thank you for sharing your experience in my home B&B! You were my second guest. I enjoyed hosting your spur of the moment visit to Ashtabula. You shared beautiful pictures! I truly hope we meet again! Happy travels.
We can’t wait to visit again! My mouth waters when I think of that banana bread you made!
I absolutely can’t wait to visit Lorrie, the sister’s and the B&B🙏🏼❤️. In Hawaii we practice the “no shoes” rule in the house so that caught my attention. Hummmm…. As I look at some of the decor in the B&B, it brings back memories of hanging out with Lorrie on lazy Friday afternoons on the streets of Kabul, having Gyoza in Tokyo, and even Spam in Kauai…. I’m certain there are many others who have traveled these roads with Lorrie, instead of writing it in a book, for me, this B&B is the book.
Mahalo ia ‘oe no na ho’omana’o Thank you for the memories🙏🏼
Lorrie is an amazing host! We can’t wait to go back!