Inns offer unique bed-and-breakfast experience

Some people collect stamps. Elizabeth Taylor collects inns. Taylor is the proprietress of The Woodward Inns on Fillmore, seven uniquely different bed and breakfasts in the historic Holiday Park neighborhood of Topeka.

The Woodward, a gothic Tudor mansion featuring hand-hewn timbers imported from England and built in 1923 by Chester Woodward, was purchased by Taylor in 1994.

Woodward designed the home’s 2 1/2 story library, featuring floor-to-ceiling stained glass, after King Henry VIII’s library at London’s Hampton Hall.

Across the street, The Woodward Max boasts an inviting front porch, but inside, a whimsical display of modern works by artist Peter Max adds unexpected style to the traditional décor.

“I felt a need to give back, and I liked the idea of being everybody’s mom or favorite aunt … someone who spoils you, cooks and cleans for you,” says Taylor, who provides a glimpse of the these and five other inns in her collection on this week’s “Home and Away.”

“Home and Away” premieres at 6:30 p.m. Mondays on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6.

Each show replays at 9:30 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesday; 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 10:30 a.m. Friday; 10 a.m. Saturday; and 9 p.m. Sunday.