The Gillen House

Bed & Breakfast

The Gillen house a beautiful 5600 square foot brick residence built in 1920, is located southeast of Athens, Georgia in the small town of Maxeys. Four families have called it a home over the past 100 years. The newest residents, Cynzia Sanchez and Edward Toledano, have diligently renovated the grand house into a comfortably elegant Bed & Breakfast, offering four guest rooms for visitors. The Gillen House Bed and Breakfast is the perfect place to escape from the day to day hustle and cruise in the “Slow Lane” while relaxing and disconnecting in the peace and quiet of the country.

Photos by Courtney Butler Photography

Cynzia and Edward had a vision of creating a place to slow down, relax, breathe, and be in the moment; they only needed to decide where their new venture was going to take them. Escaping the big city of Atlanta, and all that comes with living in a place with seven million other people, they were both ready to make a lifestyle change.

They found it in a community with 240 residents, two of which are relatives. Cynzia’s middle daughter, Katalina and her husband, Bradley, moved to Maxeys in March of 2018. Next door to their quaint farmhouse stood a large home vacant and available. With Katalina whispering in their ears, “Mom, it would be wonderful if your future grandchildren were able to have grand mom and grandad right next door!” Her words of encouragement proved to be a final reason to move. Cynzia and Edward embarked on the creative adventure of transforming the private residence into a comfortable place to welcome guests.

In their life before becoming Innkeepers, Cynzia was co-owner of a successful moving company that has been in business over 30 years, and Edward had a marketing and sales career that spanned 25 years. Cynzia, also a fine art and portraiture painter, had been producing artwork and teaching in her spare time. Edward’s artistic self was ready for time to create his “found object art” and mold the grounds back to beauty. Combining their desires for a life of creative living and enjoyment of being with others, they took the plunge and have created an oasis in this small country town.

This venture started in August of 2018, as a weekend endeavor while they were selling their Atlanta residence, driving back and forth the 96 miles from Atlanta to the country every weekend. Cynzia and Edward orchestrated the eight-month renovation, which included all new electrical, plumbing, HVAC, windows, bathrooms, deck & patio, and a revamp of the entire 2 acres of landscaping. After they settled their affairs in Atlanta and before the house was ready for residents, they moved to Maxeys, living in a 21-foot camper on site for eight weeks beginning in November.

“Our stay with Edward & Cynzia was great. I say it like this because we weren’t just paying Customers, we were guests in their home. Hospitality should be in their name.”

The stately home was built in 1920 by Andrew J. Gillen Jr. who was born in Maxeys in 1862. As one of the leading merchants in town, Gillen promoted the development of Maxeys by selling lots and building homes in order to attract new settlers. In 1907, he also built a large department store in Maxeys known as The Gillen Department Store, carrying a full line of ready-to-wear, shoes, and millinery, in addition to all kinds of farm equipment. That building still stands in Maxeys today, and is an example of the way the town was once the center of the cotton trade before the 1920’s.

The Gillen House Bed and Breakfast opened for business in April 2019. The house has been renovated to the highest modern standards, while keeping the charm of the Colonial Revival design of the grand home.

Guests are greeted with a fantastic wrap around front porch on their arrival. Through the front door, a magnificent hallway extends the length of the house, and presents a beautiful staircase which has many stories to tell with the sounds of its past. To the right side of the hallway is the Vinson Parlor, for conversation, drinks and games. Adjacent to the parlor is the classic Buchanan Dining room, where breakfast is served to guests. The left of the hallway is Cynzia’s studio which leads to the owner’s living quarters.

The spacious second floor hallway, which leads guests to their rooms, has a relaxing sitting area with a coffee station. A screen porch is off the hallway that faces the rear of the property, where guests can enjoy a cocktail while admiring the amazing sunsets of the country in the evenings or a warm cup of coffee in the morning.

Of the four rooms, three have king beds and one has a queen, and each is furnished with comfortable furniture, sitting areas, vanities and ample closet space. Originally, the house had two bathrooms, one on each floor. Now, there are five full baths and two half baths. Each guest room has a full new contemporary en-suite bathroom, with a little touch of old and all the comforts of the modern world.

The new, elegantly comfortable décor allows guests to enjoy the architectural beauty of the house, with its original hardwood floors, glass and wooden French doors, 1920’s chandeliers, coffered ceilings and door hardware. Because the house had such “Good Karma”, Cynzia and Edward kept as many pieces as possible original to the house to enhance that feeling. Headboards in two of the rooms were created from old doors found in the attic, as was one of the bathroom vanities. They even kept some of the old knob and tube wiring of an electrical panel and made it into a night light in the second-floor hallway.

One of the very unique aspects of The Gillen House, is the artwork. Cynzia, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, is an accomplished artist, with a master’s degree in Fine Arts in Painting from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), and an Architectural Degree from Georgia Tech. Her creative needs were not being met in the city, and this country escape was a main reason for leaving the city, allowing her to pursue a full-time art career. Her studio is the first room on the left as you enter the house, where she displays her work, and also teaches drawing and painting to many local children and adults. The visual excitement begins in the studio and continues through the home with her work displayed on both floors and in the guest rooms.

The house was the first house in Oglethorpe County to have electricity via steam powered generators that were located in an old shed to the rear of the house. That shed was removed and replaced by a turtle pond, where two turtles make their home. Petro, the seven-year-old yellow-bellied slider turtle and his new significant other, Lucy, a red eared slider, spend their days enjoying life under the southern sunshine while teaching us humans how to relax. The other animals that have made a home in the pond are a large population of frogs, who in the springtime provide a wonderful chorus of sound to add to the relaxion that abounds on the property.

The patio surrounding the pond is the perfect place to watch the turtles’ daily feeding. It is also perfect spot to enjoy the flight of hummingbirds, butterflies and dragonflies, read a book, or have a great conversation with the owners or other guests. A few steps away is another patio located under the holly trees; and this one lends itself to the perfect nap spot. Activities on the property include a bocce ball court, croque area, badminton, lawn darts, corn hole boards and a golf putting green, which all allow guests the chance to be somewhat active – or just enjoy watching others endeavor to be sporty!

“Are we crazy?” This question was asked of each other and to every friend & guest who has visited. The answer is without hesitation, absolutely not, given some of the reviews that have been submitted by guests:

“Cynzia and Edward treated us like old friends, and we felt ‘at home’ straight away” Kathryn and Mike – Australia

“We enjoyed every moment of our stay, from the soothing sounds of the waterfall, to the ‘front porch sittin’ watching the cars go by. Our only regret is that we didn’t have more time to stay!” Jimmy & Danya, Blairsville, Georgia

“Thank you for having my family and I at your great place. I will always remember how pleasant each stay has been and the big part it played in helping my wife, son and I to send my daughter off to the University of Georgia.” Brian – New Jersey

This move to the country was not just a job change for the couple, it is being an integral part of their community and its future. Cynzia is involved with the art scene of the area and has, with a few new artist friends, started The Women’s Art Guild of Oglethorpe County. She also recently led the organization of the first annual Maxeys Christmas Parade that resulted in a Parade of 10 floats and great community support. Edward is involved as the Leader of the South Oglethorpe Local Action Committee of the soon to be completed Firefly Trail, a rails to trails bike/walk path that is being build running between Athens and Union Point. They both have the desire to share their happy home with friends and guests, while having the opportunity to be a part of a community that is welcoming and caring.

The Gillen House Bed and Breakfast is a place where guests arrive as strangers and leave as friends. Why? Because Cynzia and Edward enjoy taking care of their guests, by getting to know them and becoming friends. They have prepared a fantastic experience for visitors which allows for them to step away from the everyday push and pull of today’s hectic life. They invite everyone to come and “Enjoy the Slow Lane” for a while at The Gillen House Bed and Breakfast.

Visit us online at www.GillenHouseBandB.com for more information.

Facebook: @gillenhouse

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