“Fifi” Sunbathing on the Porch of Catnip Terrace
Why I Started An Airbnb In Woodstock
OK, you’ve all heard of Airbnb by now and are probably wondering why or how I decided to start one..??? Why the name “Catnip Terrace?” Good subject for a travel blog post, no?
My Airbnb adventure began about 4 years ago when my parents, both Woodstock artists, passed away and left me their large house with a whole collection of art work that they had created over a span of 60 years. Then there were their own personal possessions that filled not only the main house, but the attic, the basement, and another studio building. Faced with the daunting task of sorting it all out (a process that could take 7 years!) I remember sitting on a bench in the yard with a friend and getting a sudden visual flash: It was the Wicked Witch of the East in the Whizzard of Oz who lay on the ground with only her legs sticking out from the house that had fallen on and crushed her.
Wicked Witch of the East Crushed by a House
It sounds funny now, but back then it wasn’t. – I really felt the weight of that house with the high taxes and all the other bills that came along with it.
“Where do I even start?” I blurted out. My friend said ” Hey, you have all those empty rooms! Why don’t you do an Airbnb in Woodstock!!? “A who? what?” I asked not knowing what he was talking about. “What is Air b and b?” Well, my friend didn’t know exactly what Airbnb was either except that it had something to do with renting out spare rooms and his friend was putting himself through grad. school with the money he earned. Hmmmh, I wondered if this could be a way to help pay the taxes on the house or fund my travels …???? First of all I had to find out what this “Air b and b ” thing was. Google to the rescue!! That night I found the “Airbnb” website, read about people renting out rooms, boats, tree houses, and all kinds of alternative lodgings for travelers: I liked their out of the box approach. As an avid traveler this seemed like a natural and creative way to grow an income that would cover home (and travel ) expenses by hosting other travelers with similar interests. I wanted to introduce them to the beautiful Catskill Mountains and Woodstock, Colony of the Arts. It would also be a motivation to clean up and make needed repairs in the house.
“Catnip Terrace” Woodstock Airbnb
Painting by my mother,Gerry Scholl Epstein
Coming from a family of artists who were also animal lovers I wanted this to be reflected in the home. Little did I know that in the near future it was to become the unique feature that would attracted like-minded folks. My current pets were cats so I named our place “Catnip Terrace” and indeed, a cat was the first pet I’d ever had as a child. Catnip Terrace is an AIRBNB for eco-travelers who fancy quirkiness, love animals, nature, culture & the arts.
THE BIG CLEANUP
For starters I took all the art work that was taking up precious floor space and put it up on the walls to create a gallery look.
Catnip Terrace Living room
Then I started sorting out a lot of things that were no longer useful to me and sold them on Craig’s List to raise money for house paint, new pillows, bedding, accent rugs, and other things that would brighten up the house.
A sense of humor is a good thing – especially in morning with coffee. Courtesy of Bad Girl Art www.badgirlart.com
The Catnip Terrace House History
My parents were contemporaries and friends of well known old time Woodstock Artists such as Fletcher Martin, Julio de Diego, Arnold Blanche, John Earnst, and Victor Basil. Both of them were students of the Art Students League in NYC back in the mid 1940s which is where they met. My dad was a student there on the GI bill, my mom – a monitor and painting student. They spent their summers at the sister school, The Art Students League in Woodstock, now called the Woodstock School of Art.
Art Students League Ball
Raphael working on a sculpture
The photo below shows my parents getting married at the home of Fletcher Martin on Meads Mt. His wife Helen was my mom’s childhood best friend growing up in NYC.
The Marriage of Raphael & Gerry Epstein on the lawn of Fletcher Martin’s house in Woodstock
Since its opening three years ago I have had travelers from all over the world from who come to explore our beautiful town of Woodstock and to study at the Woodstock School of Art, the Woodstock Center for Photography, local Yoga studios, KTD, the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary, to participate in the International Film Festival, Luthiers Showcase and more.
Some people bring their pets if they are friendly to cats. This is one of my first feline Airbnb guests enjoying an afternoon nap..
Are We Not Color Coordinated!?
My Guests
Catnip Terrace is only a ten minute walk from the Woodstock bus stop and the town center where all the shops, galleries, and restaurants are. We have wifi, beach chairs and bikes available and you can use our kitchen to cook.
If you would like to stay at Catnip Terrace You can find & make a reservation with us by clicking here “Catnip Terrrace”
DID AIRBNB HELP PAY MY TAXES? Yes! CAN IT HELP FUND YOU TRAVELS? ABSOLUTELY… AND you’ll meet great people from all over the world.
I’ve had guests from Germany, England, Scotland, Argentina, France, Spain, India, and Australia, just to name a few.
Catnip Terrace Guests from India
Catnip Terrace guest from NYC
CLICK HERE TO SEE RESERVATION CENTER AT CATNIP TERRACE
IF YOU ARE NOT YET REGISTERED WITH AIRBNB AND WOULD LIKE TO EARN SOME TRAVEL CREDIT USE MY PERSONAL REFERRAL LINK BELOW AND WE’LL BOTH GET TRAVEL CREDIT WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FIRST TRIP OR HOST YOUR FIRST AIRBNB GUEST WHEN YOU USE THIS LINK :
https://www.airbnb.com/c/SEPSTEIN2?s=32
HAPPY TRAVELING!!! & Follow us on Facebook
A Thank You Note From A Guest