Honor & Folly, a new bed-and-breakfast, opened in Corktown this winter. It offers a comfortable alternative to hotels and a community-like experience in the heart of the neighborhood.

Design blogger and travel writer Meghan McEwen opened Honor & Folly in December of 2011.

“I decided I wanted to do it myself,” McEwen said, “I was so inspired by all of the places I was writing about and I kept thinking about how they would work really well here in Detroit.”

The design-oriented B&B allows guests to temporarily feel like they are a member of the Corktown community.

Wayne State students Alexandra Sewell said she is enthusiastic about the area’s new business.

“I think it’s a great addition to the area. It is in a very convenient location in an area of the city that is really thriving,” Sewell said.

“The space itself has great bones,” McEwen said. “And then in terms of décor, I used a lot of vintage pieces and reworked them, or had them reupholstered making them a little bit more modern with colorful fabrics or geometrical patterns.”

She said she used furniture and other goods that were designed by local designers and artists.

“It’s a mix of locally-designed and thrifted and vintage pieces,” McEwen said.

The local artists include: Abigail Murray of Ann Arbor, who makes ceramic dinnerware collections; Zeb Smith, exhibit coordinator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, who makes counter stools for the bed and breakfast; and Emily Brent of Detroit, who makes wooden cutting boards out of trees that her boyfriend and arborist cut down. These and more locally-made goods are available for purchase at Honor & Folly and honorandfolly.com.

In the morning, guests are encouraged to visit Astro Coffee, which serves sandwiches, pastries and coffee.

“We encouraged people to go to Astro Coffee because it is like, a neighborhood gathering spot,” McEwen said, “so it gives people a really authentic experience of what being in Detroit might be like living in the neighborhood.”

Astro Coffee has been called “a must-visit destination,” for those serious about coffee by the Detroit Free Press.

“They have, in my opinion, the best coffee in the city.” McEwen said.

Honor & Folly is located on Michigan Avenue in Detroit, is $165 per night for one room and $215 per night for both rooms. For reservations,