THE RENAISSANCE HOUSE
franklin manor

Located on Colorado Avenue , just as you enter the town of Telluride , resides a charming bed and breakfast with an unique attraction. It's called Franklin Manor, named in honor of the late Richard Franklin, an artist the innkeeper/owners never even met. Lance and Nancy Lee, owners of Franklin Manor, simply happenstanced across Franklin 's work while vacationing in Hawaii and were utterly captivated by his romantic, Neo-classical style. In addition to their five luxury guest rooms, their B&B also has a gallery on the bottom floor filled with Franklin 's paintings as well as oils from Nancy 's daughter, Dana Baker, and floral watercolors by Jeanne Bonine. An eclectic collection of sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, glass art and photography gild the shelves and further embellish the quixotic nuances of Franklin Gallery .

Each artist on display at the Franklin Gallery seems to possess fluid strokes versed in floral designs, women's bodies or the charms thereof, or are in the venue of Greek god-like figures considered now as classical antiquities. What the Lees have chosen to display in their art gallery is vastly different from any artwork on display in the Telluride region. Their collection seems to have a spiritual vibration. Perhaps the feeling comes from the fact that each painting on the wall is virtually a floral tribute to feminine qualities; or perhaps its array of subtly-hued Franklin canvas transfers contrast nicely with Jeanne Bonine's, Dana Baker's and Georgia O'Keefe's bold colored, innocent blooms. No matter, the Franklin Gallery is truly a delightful draw to the Lee's B&B.

Within eight months, Lance was able to watch his interior "architectural" plans come to life. Architect Ron Berkowitz already planned the outside of the Manor. By December of '98, the Manor had emerged. "Obviously, with the exterior creatively designed, I had the challenge of designing the five guest rooms, gallery and on premise living quarters, where Nancy and I reside." During this interim, both attended a PAII Conference (Professional Association of Innkeepers International) in San Francisco to learn more about the inns and outs of innkeeping from a business and creative point of view. The five guest rooms have floral themes that showcase their beautiful paintings. The Calla Lily and Bird of Paradise are honeymoon suites with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs for two. All rooms have private balconies overlooking spectacular mountain views. The Manor is within walking distance to everything in Telluride and the gondola, which accesses Mountain Village . Aside from the Manor that has consumed their energy for four years, the Lees are finally making time for themselves again. "We love what we do, however, running a B&B is a 24/7 commitment. After eight years of being in Telluride and four running the Manor, we're finally doing things again," says Nancy , recalling opera singing and travel days. They ski, snowshoe, bike, hike and enjoy volunteering and attending many of the festivals. Presently, the Lees are planning a month long getaway in Italy and Greece , returning in time for a busy summer season.

With Nancy 's background in counseling and training seminars, she envisions eventually hosting workshops and mini-retreats for locals and returning guests. "I'd like to offer seminars and outdoor adventures in which the participants put aside their daily concerns and focus on the moment," she says. In the late afternoons, the Lees host a wine tasting gathering with hors d'ouevres for their guest to enjoy. Many of the wines come from their travels to the Napa/Sonoma Wine Country.

While reflecting on their social hour, Lance remarked, "We meet the neatest people who come from all over the world. In fact, we have a motto in our brochure that says, "You'll arrive as our guest and leave as a friend!" Lance has two children from a previous marriage, Jon and Becky. Jon is a contractor/builder in San Jose , while Becky recently completed an eight-year missionary project with Youth for Christ in Germany and England . Nancy has four children. Scott is a teacher/coach in Tucson . Dana, her artist daughter, also lives in Tucson . Cordell and Angela live in San Diego where Cordell tests corporation execs for fitness and is also an aspiring actor. Angela is currently the director of a women's clinic. Last October, Lance and Nancy faced a life threatening scare... prostrate cancer. However, Lance has worked through this with flying colors making their life in Telluride all that more precious.