Arching Pines B&B dining room invites guests to enjoy gourmet breakfasts and one-of-a-kind art. Jenny Rieger's new B&B promises a warm welcome with a splash of curated perfection. By Angela Long
Published June 14 2016
After nearly 20 years as part of Toronto’s museum scene Jenny Rieger has learned a thing or two about curating. Every room in her newly opened Arching Pines B&B just four minutes from Haliburton feels like you’re walking into the pages of a magazine. Carefully chosen colours and fabrics highlight fine art. Dappled light settles upon custom-made furnishings.
Wherever possible Rieger has supported local businesses to create her vision for this four-season B&B. Laura Willis from Carnavon’s Refresh assisted Rieger with interior decorating. Furniture was purchased from Riverview in Minden.
But there’s nothing museum-like about Arching Pines when it comes to hospitality. Couches are meant to be sunk into a hand-made porcelain bowl is meant to be touched. And Rieger with rescue dog Jake always by her side exudes the kind of warmth that makes her seem born for all this.
The retiree can’t wait to welcome her first guests.
“I love cooking. I love hosting. I love staying in B&Bs” she says.
For many years friends joked with Rieger suggesting that because of her passion for all things B&B especially her fondness for cooking everyone breakfast – baked eggs rancheros crèpes stuffed with fruit and yogurt – she should start charging. One day while sitting in her busy downtown Toronto home she thought why not?
A twisty path through the trees leads to the front door of Arching Pines. In mid-December Rieger took the plunge and bought the Bayshore Road home from local wood artist Terry Adair. After months of renovations the split-level home is now a fusion of Adair’s architectural design and Rieger’s cosmopolitan flair.
Among the canopy of trees and views of Head Lake Rieger and Jake have found a new love: the Haliburton Highlands. Rieger has sold her house in Toronto and plans to live here full time.
“There’s no looking back” Rieger says of her old life. “Do I really have to go to Toronto?” she thinks when city obligations call. “Do I really have to leave here?”
A sentiment her guests will likely share.
