Historic Inn, Former Mansion, Addison County, Crystal Palace Bed and Breakfast, Bristol, Vermont, About the Inn

About the Inn

The story began with William and Minnie Lawrence (see History page).

About the current owners

Stacie was looking for something to do with her time since all of her kids had left their home to attend college. She was used to preparing portions at meals that would have fed the Vermont National Guard. With just Stephen to take care of she needed to take care of others. That resulted in a search to find a Bed and Breakfast which would allow Stacie to use her magnificent culinary talents to the benefit of others. Stacie is very used to the concept of taking care of others having worked in the service industry for 22 years prior to the purchase of this beautiful house.

Stephen and Stacie were married in October and every year for their anniversary they spent time at someone else's Bed and Breakfast. It had been a dream they had planned for at least the last 10 years that they would find themselves in a position to own their own Bed and Breakfast. With the children having left the home it was now time to start a new chapter in their lives. From the time of first thinking about finding a Bed and Breakfast to the actual closing was a mere 4 months, this was truly meant to be.

About the house

The Crystal Palace is in Addison County and registered with the Vermont State Register of Historic Places. This lovely old mansion owned by Stacie and Stephen has been restored to its original splendor of white and red cherry, butternut, ash, and quarter oak, finished to a grand sheen by the owners. The house is located conveniently two blocks north of the traffic light at the village green. A lovely piazza which gracefully wraps around the southern and western façade of the house is furnished with wicker and beckons guests to come and sit awhile at this very special place.

The interior is rich in natural wood trim, mostly oak, with a generous sprinkling of mahogany and maple. Previous owners have either left the house in its original condition or did a wonderful job restoring it to its original grandeur.

In the first floor entrance hall the oak dado is unique. The quarter-sawn oak is cut to look like wood blocks or brick, an unusual decorative effect in wood. This leads to the two parlors located on the first floor. Stephen and Stacie have followed the old tradition of having two parlors – one for themselves and one for guests. The guests' parlor is a grandly romantic room with curved wall and windows, a rich oriental carpet and period antiques. The private parlor features the house's original fireplace and mantelpiece in all their glory. Three six-foot wide pocket doors separate the front hall, the two parlors and the dining room.

The house is creatively decorated by Stacie with antiques acquired throughout their marriage either from family members or purchased at auctions. Those items that needed attention have been lovingly restored by Stephen. All of the chairs in the house with caned seats were also re-worked by Stephen. Another love of Stephen's is plants and they will be found many places throughout the house.

In the backyard there are two magnificent maples that were planted by Mr. Lawrence as gifts to his bride, Minnie. They are called the 'Wedding Maples'. A gazebo has been built in the middle of the gardens to further enhance the beautiful setting of the back yard.

Finally in the back yard is a large carriage barn that Mr. Lawrence used in support of his horse business. This is a future project to be fully developed by Stephen and Stacie into more rooms for the Bed and Breakfast.

Stacie & Steve take great pleasure in sharing Mr. Lawrence's expression of love with their guests.


	About the Inn The story began with William and Minnie Lawrence (see History page). About the current owners Stacie was looking for something to do with her time since all of her kids had left their home to attend college. She was used to preparing portions at meals that would have fed the Vermont National Guard. With just Stephen to take care of she needed to take care of others. That resulted in a search to find a Bed and Breakfast which would allow Stacie to use her magnificent culinary talents to the benefit of others. Stacie is very used to the concept of taking care of others having worked in the service industry for 22 years prior to the purchase of this beautiful house. Stephen and Stacie were married in October and every year for their anniversary they spent time at someone else's Bed and Breakfast. It had been a dream they had planned for at least the last 10 years that they would find themselves in a position to own their own Bed and Breakfast. With the children having left the home it was now time to start a new chapter in their lives. From the time of first thinking about finding a Bed and Breakfast to the actual closing was a mere 4 months, this was truly meant to be. About the house The Crystal Palace is in Addison County and registered with the Vermont State Register of Historic Places. This lovely old mansion owned by Stacie and Stephen has been restored to its original splendor of white and red cherry, butternut, ash, and quarter oak, finished to a grand sheen by the owners. The house is located conveniently two blocks north of the traffic light at the village green. A lovely piazza which gracefully wraps around the southern and western façade of the house is furnished with wicker and beckons guests to come and sit awhile at this very special place. The interior is rich in natural wood trim, mostly oak, with a generous sprinkling of mahogany and maple. Previous owners have either left the house in its original condition or did a wonderful job restoring it to its original grandeur. In the first floor entrance hall the oak dado is unique. The quarter-sawn oak is cut to look like wood blocks or brick, an unusual decorative effect in wood. This leads to the two parlors located on the first floor. Stephen and Stacie have followed the old tradition of having two parlors – one for themselves and one for guests. The guests' parlor is a grandly romantic room with curved wall and windows, a rich oriental carpet and period antiques. The private parlor features the house's original fireplace and mantelpiece in all their glory. Three six-foot wide pocket doors separate the front hall, the two parlors and the dining room. The house is creatively decorated by Stacie with antiques acquired throughout their marriage either from family members or purchased at auctions. Those items that needed attention have been lovingly restored by Stephen. All of the chairs in the house with caned seats were also re-worked by Stephen. Another love of Stephen's is plants and they will be found many places throughout the house. In the backyard there are two magnificent maples that were planted by Mr. Lawrence as gifts to his bride, Minnie. They are called the 'Wedding Maples'. A gazebo has been built in the middle of the gardens to further enhance the beautiful setting of the back yard. Finally in the back yard is a large carriage barn that Mr. Lawrence used in support of his horse business. This is a future project to be fully developed by Stephen and Stacie into more rooms for the Bed and Breakfast. Stacie & Steve take great pleasure in sharing Mr. Lawrence's expression of love with their guests.