In the heart ofAndrew Wyeth country, on the road between Winterthur Mu-seum and Longwood Gardens, this country-house inn is set on 5½ acres be-hind a split-rail fence. It is surrounded by estates, beautiful gardens, and miles of country roads. The hub of the inn is a pale yellow—colored 1826 Federal plaster-over-doublebrick house with dark green shutters. There’s a Victonan-style veranda across the front. In back are the Spring House and Car-riage House, buildings that were con-structed about 10 years ago but designed to match the character of the main house.
Swedish-born Ole Retlev and his wife, Patricia, both former ski instructors, owned two different inns in Mt. Snow, Vermont. But, as Ole explains, “There’s more to draw travelers here on a year-round basis.” So, in 1986, they moved to the Brandywine River valley and opened the Fairville Inn.
The rooms are bright and airy, appealingly furnished with Queen Anne and Chippendale reproductions. Before the fireplace in the living room are two blue settees, with a large copper-top coffee table between them. The flowered draperies and potted plants give the room an understated “relaxed formal feel,” as Ole calls it. The bedrooms in the main house, all ofquirky size and shape, are done in light, elegant country colors and are carpeted. You will also find four-poster beds, canopy beds, settees, writing desks, floral wallpapers—and fresh flowers. |