Rustic Luxury with a Coffee Sidecar

By Michael Detrick

Upon entering the lobby of The White Birch Inn in downtown Clayton, the care and attention to detail that interior designer Brenda Patterson has put into it since she purchased it in 2012 is instantly evident. She has transformed the original 1920s structure into a luxurious boutique bed and breakfast, paying homage to the past while cultivating a modernday experience.

The solid oak entrance doors were originally hung on the left side of the building but were removed and reworked by local wood crafter Dwayne Thompson and now greet the inn’s guests from its Savannah St entrance.

Once inside, after passing the stone fireplace and sitting area, you will find the focal point of the first floor: The 20-foot custom Inferno granite bar, that resembles petrified wood. Featuring white birch panels and local mountain laurel branches, find yourself perched upon one of the handcrafted hickory barstools as you enjoy a hand-shaken martini or refined bourbon on the rocks.

The White Birch Inn is rustic meets polished; warm, inviting, and a true beauty to behold.

Beyond the elegantly appointed lobby, guests will find themselves in one of six uniquely decorated rooms, lovingly named after indigenous trees. Each feature their own ensuite bathroom, and two boast gas stone fireplaces. Bringing the raw beauty of nature inside, authentic local white birch branches adorn the inn throughout.

Georgia native and hospitality expert General Manager Jenna Findley shared, “When the opportunity arose, I took everything I learned before and brought it here to White Birch. Working in this environment, made so beautiful by Brenda Patterson, has made my job so much fun.”

Other structural features include distressed wood beams and columns, and hand-applied faux finished stucco walls, all crafted by local artists Barbie White and Holli Phillips. Textural surfaces such as poplar bark shingles and Alderwood paneling complement the hand-scraped Acacia wood floors underfoot.

Original to the building are the upstairs hardwood floors, and the spectacular wood ceiling and beams in the lounge were reclaimed from a 100-year-old dismantled church.

“Everything about this place is absolutely stunning. The uniqueness of it is just amazing. I am so thrilled to be here,” Jenna said.

Brenda’s vision did not end with opening her boutique hotel.

Just a couple doors away you will find White Birch Provisions, which also offers downtown a unique customer experience. “After opening the inn, Brenda decided that Clayton needed someplace that had really good coffee, great quality baked goods, and be able to provide a lot of things that you couldn’t get here,” said White Birch provisions General Manager Ivy Million.

“Brenda was the main designer, and I kind of served as her assistant in getting it all started. And so, Provisions was born to go along with the experience of the Inn. It was so much fun to help build this place from the ground up.”

Ivy, originally from Iowa, had already fallen in love with the mountains of North Georgia working for Brenda at the Inn when she approached her about helping her with Provisions. “She really let me take the reins,” Ivy said. “And it is my husband, Charlie, who changed the game with our baked goods.”

Jenna, who cooks breakfast 5 days a week at the inn, added, “It’s gone over so beautifully, incorporating their baked goods into our menu, with so many people saying we have the best breakfast in the area.”

What both White Birch Inn and Provisions don’t make in house, they try to source locally. “That’s very important to us, supporting the community,” Jenna shared.

The recently finished upstairs loft at White Birch Provisions might be the most unexpected place to enjoy a coffee, tea, or homemade pastry in the area. Once you have ascended the swinging staircase to the landing above, you can find your own nook in which to pass some time with your favorite latte, seasonal drink, and the everpopular cheese Danish or a cherry pie bar.

It is the vision and fulfillment of that vision that really sets The White Birch Inn and White Birch Provisions apart from other “big box” establishments. As Jenna said, “It doesn’t matter if it’s the 4th of July or Valentine’s Day. This is the culmination of the quintessential romantic getaway.”

With the winter months offering a wine and cheese hour by the fireplace, there is no better option around to reconnect with your significant other. And with the staff’s astute knowledge and appreciation of the area, the are your concierges for the duration of your stay.

Because everything the inn offers (including their bar, breakfast, and spa amenities), are exclusive only to inn guests, book your stay now to enjoy what all this beautiful place has to offer.