The Cottages at The Pinner House

First, a little history. My husband Allyn built the cottages on the property over 20 years ago. He bought the wood and decorative details from an old house they were tearing down in Suffolk thus creating the look as if they had been here all along. Over the years we have primarily used them for storage and Allyn’s workshop. More recently, we had converted them into offices for The Pinner House. As my reservation books filled over this past summer and I was continually turning away business, we realized it was time to expand. We had always toyed with the idea of turning them into accommodations and now seemed like the time.




Find yourself on a relaxing staycation retreat at The Pinner House's newest accommodations, The Cottages.  A romantic, tiny house-bungalow nestled in the heart of downtown Suffolk, Virginia awaits you!

After owning the bed and breakfast for over two years, I have gotten a feel for what draws my guests to The Pinner House and what they are looking for when they stay here. So with that information in mind, I set out to create the perfect retreats.

In this interesting time we find ourselves in, a time of disconnect, a time of constant busyness and rapid changes in the way we do things and interact; I find that my guests are craving a pause, a moment to catch their breath and reconnect with each other.

This is difficult to do within your own space where the stack of bills and laundry are calling you. I created the cottages to be a place that you can feel inspired and a place for you to recharge your battery and allow for a little space to tackle whatever challenges you are facing.

The design is meant to feel cozy and welcoming but most of all: peaceful.



As with all of my designs, I am always drawn to the less is more philosophy. While I love interesting decorative items and various color palettes, for these types of settings I choose to pair back and allow the space to speak to me. The light that filters in from the stained glass windows in these cottages is so relaxing and magical. I made them the focal point and used a soft color palette of neutrals with a little blush to add interest. This allowed for the architecture details in the space to shine.



A collection of local artist, Katie Heard’s artwork is thoughtfully displayed over the desk and is the perfect addition to the space.

See more of her artwork and services here.

tiny house cottages retreat bed and breakfast interior design

These cottages have everything you need for a comfortable stay. There is a kitchenette equipped with a refrigerator, air fryer -toaster oven, a full size farm sink and of course plenty of coffee! There are dishes and glassware if you opt to dine in for the night. They are equipped with Smart TVs to allow you to curl up for a cozy night watching your favorites on Netflix. A Bluetooth Marshall speaker is provided to help set the tone with your favorite playlist. As with all of the beds at The Pinner House the bedding and mattress will make you want to stay in bed forever!

There is a walk in shower with heated floors to warm your feet on a chilly morning and a desk to work if necessary or maybe to sit and write in that journal you have been holding onto for years. If you feel the need to get out for a while there are several amazing privately owned restaurants, coffee shops and a charming wine shop and Brewery within walking distance. Both cottages have private entrances and are nestled among the boxwood garden. There is a family of ground hogs that occasionally make an appearance scurrying across the property and if you are lucky you can spot one of the owls that reside here. The sound of the church bells in the background will transport you back to a time when life just felt a little simpler. My hope is that these cottages will leave you feeling recharged, refreshed and of course- inspired.