Judy Vickers believes that dreams really do come true. Creating the home she shares in Top: This charming door from Vintage Woodworks, with fan brackets common to the Victorian era, only looks old. The porch expands the home’s living space with the Adirondack settee—a perfect spot for relaxing with an ice-cold glass of lemonade. Above: When Judy needs a sprig of chives or parsley for one of her recipes, she heads to the kitchen herb garden just outside the back door. Bonner Springs, Kansas, with her husband, Clinton, was just that—a dream—some years back when they purchased 10 picturesque wooded acres of land. With children to raise, the dream of building a Queen Anne Victorian style home reminiscent of the grand dames of yesteryear simmered on the back burner until 1986. Judy had planned and nurtured that dream—clipping pictures and collecting architectural antiques that later would guide builders during the home’s construction. Those details have so infused the structure with authenticity that visitors frequently mistake it for a restored vintage Victorian. It was while the home was being built that Judy articulated another dream—her dream of owning a B&B. She decided that her house and its surrounding beauty would make for a perfect setting; soon that dream, too, would come to fruition. Christened “Back In Thyme,” the inn boasts rooms named Rosemary, Bay Laurel and Sweet Annie, alluding to Judy’s love of herb gardening and cooking. As if creature comforts and a sumptuous breakfast in the Morning Room weren’t enough, a hiking trail and fishing opportunities appeal to nature enthusiasts, while antiques shops in nearby Weston, Parkville and Greenwood beckon those who share a love for the charming antiques and collectibles that decorate the inn’s interior. Fellow herbal soulmates like to congregate in the herb shop located in the attic of the carriage house. “It’s a great space to get away from it all and relax,” says Judy. “We’ve written little poems all over the walls of the shop and our guests like to add their little philosophies, their slant on the world.” Weekend guests enjoy breakfast, and also are treated to gourmet appetizers after checking in and dessert later in the evening. If the ambiance is reminiscent of the best of home, it’s no accident. Judy and Clinton leave no stone unturned when it comes to the details of orchestrating a dream visit for guests, a few moments in “thyme” destined to become a treasured memory. Would she do it again? “In 1996, when we opened the B&B, I decided to try it for just five years,” she says. Judy recently renewed her license for another five. “I’ve always loved sharing my home, and I like it that people leave refreshed and feeling better about the world. I guess it goes back to visiting Grandma’s,” she says. “It’s nice to know people spent their wedding night here, or their 50th anniversary or a special birthday. Sure, it’s a lot of work and a million details, but I always feel like it’s worth it.” Editor’s Note: Back In Thyme is located in the Kansas City area at 1100 South 130th St., Bonner Springs, KS 66012; 913-422-5207 or www.backnthyme.com. Photos: Bill Mathews; styling: Gloria Gale BE MY GUEST: Give Your Home That Bed-and-Breakfast Charm • Invest in a quality mattress and box spring and luxurious bed linens. After all, you spend a third of your life in bed and a good night’s sleep pays rich dividends all day long. •Treat your family to some thick and thirsty new towels in a color that complements your bathroom décor, or the old-fashioned staple—white. Roll them in a basket or tie a stack with a satin ribbon and bow and display in a glass-front cabinet. • Fill vintage glass decanters found at flea markets with bath salts. They are available in a range of sizes and colors—pick ones to complement your décor. Rose- patterned saucers and dessert plates, often picked up for a song at estate sales, are great for guest soap. • If vintage-model beds are a bit rickety for your needs, don’t discount reproductions. They are available in many fool-the-eye designs that blend well with old dressers and washstands. Only you will know it’s not the real thing! • Take a tip from Judy and Clinton Vickers and provide your guests with a glorious view outside their bedroom window. An herb garden, perhaps, or even a charming bird feeder will bring the outdoors in and delight the eye. • Just you and your family at home this evening? All the more reason to surprise them with appetizers when they get home from work—or your special reserved-for-holidays dessert later in the evening. With your extraordinary touch, any day can be a time to celebrate. home • advertise • links