Guests are invited to step back in time and enjoy the 1920’s classic Southern architectural features of the Rue Magnolia Bed & Breakfast in Biloxi, Mississippi. The Historic Carnovale-Keller home was built in 1920 by the owner’s great grandfather and has never left the family. The home is a Biloxi Landmark home and is located on the National Register of Historic Places within the boundaries of the Downtown Historic District of Biloxi. After Hurricane Katrina, the home was one of few remaining habitable structures in the historic district. Rented to the National Historic Preservation Trust and the MS Dept of Archives and history, the house became known as The Preservation House. For several years, it served as the hub for architects, engineers, state planners and volunteers all working to save, restore and preserve many of the remaining historic structures on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast.
Designing, planning and repurposing the building as the Rue Magnolia Bed & Breakfast began in 2012. In 2015, the Kellers retained notable Pass Christian architect Leah Watters and her associate Shelly Kish, to bring their plans to life and to meet all requirements of Biloxi’s commercial building codes. In late 2018, the extensive restoration began and over the next 3 ½ years (enduring storms, hurricanes, covid restrictions and associated material delays & labor shortages) more than 150 craftsmen from 4 states would contribute their talents to masterfully and meticulously complete the project. Our talented craftsmen, becoming as passionate about the inn as we were, completed the restoration with materials and fixtures sourced from around the globe. Truly a family affair, in addition to the wonderful craftsmen contributions, Phylanne & Frank’s sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews from all over the country pitched in to help with the final details of the project readying the home for opening as the Rue Magnolia Bed & Breakfast.
The home is decorated in a 1920’s-40’s vintage theme featuring artwork throughout from local, regional and family artists. The home is designed with separate owner’s quarters and four guest rooms, each with ensuite bathrooms, individual HVAC systems, and every modern amenity for today’s traveler. Heart pine flooring is original and found throughout the home. The tiled bathroom floors, all unique, are period reproductions. Virtually all of the millwork throughout the home is original or custom reproduced.
Meet Your Hosts
Owners, Phylanne and Frank Keller have a long history of love affairs with historic homes and meticulously restoring them for succeeding generations to enjoy. Their beautiful Biloxi homes on Historic Rue Magnolia in Biloxi are no exception and each enjoy Biloxi Landmark status. Five of the 6 properties built by Phylanne’s great grandfather, left family ownership and over the years, Phylanne and Frank reacquired 3 of the original properties bringing them back to family ownership. The Bed & Breakfast location, the largest of the collection, was built and subsequently given to Phylanne’s grandmother as a wedding present and has never left family ownership.