Today we’d like to introduce you to Hope and Tyler Abbey.
Hope and Tyler, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It all started out as a thought that was thrown around between Tyler and I. After several job positions and a partnership in a local tea room business venture, I decided that I wanted to work for myself. We sat down and talked about the idea of opening a bed and breakfast; it was something that we have always felt was “right”. After much prayer, guidance seeking, and a lot of support and encouragement from people from within our community; it was decided that we would take the plunge. Everything began to fall into place like it was meant to be.
Both Tyler and I being from the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana and growing up near the Alabama Coushatta Reservation; this lonely old house spoke to us, and we were able to acquire the tribal home. This 1930s house was perfect because it allowed us to restore an original tribal home, share our culture, and give it a purpose again.
During the restoration, we made sure to pay attention to keeping everything in its relevant time period such as the wood flooring, wood walls, and ceilings as well as the exterior wood siding.
After moving the house to its current location, it took about a year to complete the restoration. She sits in the middle of 40 acres overlooking a small spring-fed pond and a pasture with a sparse mix of hardwoods and pines.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t believe any renovation is easy but the end result is definitely rewarding. One of the biggest struggles we encountered was the anticipation of moving the house. Hurricane Harvey hit August of 2017 and therefore pushed our moving date several weeks behind. It was a glorious day when we got the phone call from a local tribal member saying our mover had been trying to get in contact with us but the phones had been dead. I don’t think we’ve ever made that 35-minute drive in so little time.
Being in the small town of Livingston, we don’t have many options to choose from when it comes to the big things like moving of the house, having the septic systems put in and installing the water well. We are so appreciative of the small businesses in our little town and always try to stay local and support our neighbors.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Abbey Farmstead Bed & Breakfast – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I truly believe that my spiritual gift is hospitality and I wanted to use my gift to the best of my ability. When we pictured this, we wanted it to be a place where people could come and have privacy, feel safe and unplug from their busy lives. Unlike your normal B&B’s, the home sits in the middle of a pasture where you see no one and no one sees you. It’s just you and nature. We all need a detox every once in a while and the simplicity of our home does just that. This two bedrooms, one bath home brings you back in time with its creaking wood floors, original shiplap walls, and front porch rockers. We are conveniently located approximately 7 miles from Naskila Gaming and the Alabama Coushatta Reservation, 26 miles from Lake Livingston State Park and 57 miles from Lake Sam Rayburn Reservoir. We have many guests that come from the city to just escape the noise and let their kids play in the dirt. Instead of offering breakfast, we offer breakfast vouchers to one of our yummy local mom and pop cafés in downtown Livingston where you can have breakfast or Lunch. We’ve had much positive feedback about how it was a “breath of fresh air” to stay somewhere other than a hotel and that’s our mission.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We have had our thoughts on possibly renovating more homes like this one but still being fairly new we plan to watch and see what Gods plan is for our business. We are just living in the present and enjoy seeing what parts of the world our little piece of paradise brings.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4719 FM 2500
Livingston, TX 77351 - Website: www.theabbeyfarmsteadbnb.com
- Phone: (936)933-0509
- Email: theabbeyfarmstead@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabbeyfarmsteadbb
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabbeyfarmsteadbnb/
Image Credit:
Hope Lynette Photography
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