WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Now that the doors and windows are almost all installed and Spanish tile is being laid in the bedrooms, it’s time to think about rooms! And rooms need names or numbers.
Since this fabulous villa is deeply connected to us, the room names must have great significance. I thought I would share their names and why they are so special and meaningful.
But first….the name of VILLA CORNUCOPIA. “CORNUCOPIA”, easily recognized and known as The Horn of Plenty. In other words, it symbolizes good fortune, prosperity, and a treasure house of full abundance. What better word to name a
There has been a Cornucopia in my life for 50 years, ever since my husband Gene and I bought a house on Camanoe, the private island off Trellis Bay. We named the house Cornucopia. To continue the tradition of the name's goodness and abundance, our has been christened VILLA CORNUCOPIA.
We now needed notable, meaningful names for our five en-suite guest rooms. Names of trees or islands or numbers would never do it.
KESTREL, yes, a native bird of the Territory, is also the name of the construction company of Rose’s long-deceased husband, Michael. Wouldn’t he be proud and happy to be remembered in this massive construction project?
JULES, the letter “J” has always been prominent in my family. Names of children, names of pets…Jodie, Jamie, Jeramie, Jules. It would give Gene much pleasure and make him smile that his nickname, Jules, has a special place in our hearts and INN.
CAMANOE, the Island where this whole BVI adventure started many years ago.
Twenty-five years of joy, happiness, friendship, family, and learning Island lifestyle.
Priceless.
TURTLE DOVE is the national bird of the British Virgin Islands. For centuries, the turtle dove has symbolized love, fidelity, and new life. Think Christmas with “two turtle doves” given by “my true love.” What could be a better name for a guest room in a Cornucopia villa?
And our SUITE, with both panoramic water and garden views, SWEET PICKLE. Whimsical, fanciful, playful. It was an amusing play on words.
What’s in a name??? Everything meaningful and promising for our new venture,
VILLA CORNUCOPIA.
WHAT IS A BUSHWACKER?
Besides being a billion calories of deliciousness, it is a beloved drink of the Caribbean Islands, especially here on Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands. Recipes vary not just from island to island but even from restaurant to restaurant and house to house—everyone adds a little extra love, but there are still slight variations.
The Bushwacker is a blended cocktail invented in 1975 at the Sapphire Pub at Sapphire Village in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. It is similar to a creamy, chocolate piña colada. It is not a drink for the faint of heart. It consists of 7 different liquors that include Crème de Cacoa, Dark Rum, Kahlua, Amaretto, Barcardi Rum, Bailey’s, and Vodka. My daughter always said it was a grown-up milkshake. When she became a young adult, she used to go to the Bath & Turtle when they had 2-for-1 Happy Hour Bushwackers - I only remember her getting to the second one once.
Our friend decided to determine who had the best Bushwacker on Virgin Gorda.
He started at the Top of the Baths and headed to Leverick Bay. We didn’t see him for two days, and unfortunately, he couldn’t remember which he thought was the best.
Is there a Bushwacker season?
Virgin Gorda is the perfect holiday destination for Bushwackers for 12 months a year. Each season brings special attractions: December brings festive activities, and Spring brings Easter with all the music, local food, and celebrations. And here we are in summer—breezy hot weather, calm seas, fewer tourists, and off-season accommodation rates and promotions.
It's time to come to CORNUCOPIA and enjoy that Bushwacker. Join us for all the pleasures of our elegant, classic, high-quality service. Our delicious European Gourmet Breakfast is included in your room rate.
And enjoy that Bushwacker!!
What Are We Made Of
SUGAR AND SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE
And… copper and solid brass, pewter, hardwoods. All from the original 1980’s house and so very much more.
The early 1980s were the go-go years in the States. People and businesses were prosperous, the economy was stable, and money was flowing. Building materials were plentiful and of excellent quality. Transportation of goods and materials was affordable and readily available.
It was 1980. The original owner only purchased the best: all solid brass Baldwin fixtures. Importantly for us, all lumber was South American hardwood. Imbula, no longer available at any price, Cumaru, and Ipa were utilized for the roof and the decks. All doors and windows were mahogany.
We saved as much as possible, refinished all the brass doors and bathroom fittings, refinished all the beautiful large French doors, and utilized the lumber for making our custom furniture. We can’t wait for you to see the 10 by 10-inch wooden beams in our peaked roof and Rose’s bar in the kitchen—amazing! Innovative, creative, and unique.
Of course, we have all of my 100-year-old Russian copper pots, brass scales for Rose’s atrium (a feature in itself with stone-tiled walls), copper kettles, an old tin bathtub encased in chestnut, an original Remington brass washing machine converted into a bar, and so many more visually interesting treasures.
But we are a Country French, Caribbean Villa with just 5 en-suite rooms; everything does not match on purpose. Sometimes, the breakfast service is white, sometimes green, and we also have a lot of blue. Sometimes, things will be mismatched. But our goal is to be visually pleasing to the eye and interesting, comfortable, casual, and welcoming.
Did I tell you… Rose has designed and is installing a fire pit. Think of a good glass of Warre’s Port or maybe some grappa sitting around after a satisfying dinner solving all the problems of the world. Or maybe discussing tomorrow’s snorkeling adventure.
We are planning to be ready to welcome guests in mid-December.
So stay with us as we open the doors to THE INN AT CORNUCOPIA, a Bluedoor Estates company, and welcome to our world.