How A Storybook Inn came to be as told by the Innkeeper:

Meet your hostess, Elise Buckley
I was minding my own business one bright November day in 2003, previewing a property for an out-of-town client in my occupation as a Realtor. I was sent out to look over a lovely old historic property in the historic district of Versailles and to report back. I did report back to the client via voice mail twice but did not get a reply. That was quite unusual. But then, some things are just meant to be.
What quickly followed completely took me by complete surprise. Without warning, I fell head-over-heels in love with this dear old place that is now A Storybook Inn. It was a whirlwind love affair, though having no previous plans to move from the farm, plans developed, financing came together quite miraculously, and arrangements were made to purchase the property at 277 Rose Hill Avenue with the idea in mind to convert it to an upscale Bed and Breakfast.  

Immediately with the disorganization and unsettling of moving, I found myself up to my neck in massive renovations. There were tremendous discouragements and setbacks and discoveries of unknown, but long-term leaks resulting in ripping out ceilings, plumbing pipes, etc, and other difficulties, but after a very full, and quite  eventful, albeit stressful year, the dear old place that I lovingly call “The Fortress” for its sturdy, thick walls, is looking more grand than ever. As of April 8, 2005, we have now officially opened our doors as “A Storybook Inn.”

As the innkeeper, I have been told on numerous occasions by my guests something that delights me. It is along this line. "It is very hard to design a home to look both tastefully elegant and invitingly comfortable, but you have succeeded." That was indeed the goal. As I have told many, I "decorate, design or cook from the inner flow..." in other words, I pray a lot and ask the greatest Creator of all how to achieve synergy and beauty in what I put my hand to do.

The outdoors are very important too! They were certainly so to the original owners ofthis dear old place. I have kept most of the large old trees and have gotten rid of the old unkempt shrubs and dead trees that had been let go far too long. I have had professionally planned and planted many more trees than I have removed, replacing them with multiple Magnolias and blooming varieties of Cherry, Dogwood, Cyprus, Spruce, Pine, Redbud, Boxwood, Roses (both formal and informal) and large Maple trees for fall color. A garden should look beautiful at least 3 seasons of the year, and even 4 when the snow is on.

The 100 year old+ large stone pond has been restored, complete with waterfalls and plantings. The old stone steps leading to the elevated patio behind the pond make a lovely setting for breakfast, evening refreshments under a glistening full moon, or a picturesque “Storybook” wedding. (It has now been the site for numerous weddings, and a very pretty place it has become!)
Sneak peak of stone patio above pond:

I am also the chef at A Storybook Inn. All my consummate experiences heretofore have prepared me for what I do now. I have a love for interior design, hospitality, conversation, as well as cooking up wonderful dishes using fresh “real” ingredients.  

Since I love to travel and experience other cultures, I love meeting those of other cultures and it is my pleasure to pamper and make them feel at ease and meet special requests for my quests. My friends have all commented that all of those traits point to the fact that Inn keeping is the perfect venue for me.

I have a background in the medical field as well as Real Estate. I have also cared for, and raised horses on a small picturesque horse farm in Woodford County as well as, raising 3 wonderful children. The areas of writing, natural health, and travel are also special loves of mine.

My oldest daughter Kate, who lives in Laguna Beach, California had a dream about the name, "A Storybook Inn." She is an artist, poet, and Internet marketing specialist, and though she lives in California, she is a Kentucky native, born and raised as I am. She thought that because of my love of literature and because I kept describing the property to her as very "storybook,” it seemed the perfect fit to name the bed and breakfast, "A Storybook Inn." And...I do believe that she was right!

From there, the classic movie themes for the suites evolved and decorating each one of them down to the last detail took on a life of its own. (But relax gentleman, the suites are not overly fussy or fru fru at all! You will like them as much as "your fair lady.")

There is even a beautiful original oil painting of Vivian Leigh by a local professional artist in the Gone With the Wind suite. Each suite has a different “flavor.” "Casablanca" with its thick wall-to-wall sisal carpet and massive sleigh bed and golden walls and "desert flavor" is totally different from "Gone With the Wind" suite or the decadently silky flavor of "My Fair Lady." But all are very tasteful and upscale and fun. Everyone has their favorites. I would be very hard pressed to choose.

I am excited about welcoming guests from all over the world or from across town. I have had the wonderful privilege of traveling much of the world over the past 25 years, and it is still my opinion that Central Kentucky horse country is some of the most beautiful countryside of all. Most visitors who come here are taken aback by the beauty of the world class horse farms and their 4-legged "royalty." The verdant green hills lined with stone fences are reminiscent of the English countryside to many of our well-traveled guests. Truth to tell, there is no place quite like the rolling green hills of Central Kentucky horse country.

I love pampering my guests, going the second mile to make them feel truly cared for with upscale service and attention to detail. I genuinely want my guests to have a "storybook" experience at beautiful A Storybook Inn; so much so that they will want to come back to experience it again and again.

- Elise Buckley-Snoddy, Proprietor and Innkeeper