When Natasha Fulton left her corporate life behind to open a bed and breakfast in New Brunswick, she wasn’t just chasing a dream – she was creating a home in the region that had always pulled at her heart. What began as a long-held fascination with historic homes and East Coast charm evolved into Down East Comfort Bed & Breakfast, a thoughtfully curated guest experience that blends design, hospitality, and heritage. In this feature, Natasha shares the story behind her leap into entrepreneurship, the unique details that define her B&B, and the unexpected joys that come from building something with both heart and family at its core.
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When Natasha Fulton first laid eyes on the stately yellow house in Miramichi, New Brunswick, it felt like a dream. A longtime visitor to the town – her husband Larry’s hometown – Natasha had admired the historic property for years. Recalling a conversation with her sister-in-law, Natasha said, “She literally said, ‘Tash, I forgot to tell you your big yellow house is for sale!’” That moment would soon transform into Down East Comfort Bed & Breakfast – an award-winning guesthouse known for its personalized hospitality, thoughtful design, and deep East Coast roots.
But the journey there wasn’t without challenges.
Natasha and Larry closed on the property in March 2020, driving a U-Haul through early pandemic roadblocks. “We were literally coming down through Ontario because of the COVID shutdown,” she said. The timing could not have been more uncertain. Travel restrictions were just beginning, and Natasha was stepping into a new industry. “Nobody knew what was happening – or going to happen,” she said. Larry stayed behind in Ontario temporarily, while Natasha settled into the historic house and began laying the groundwork.
Despite the chaos, the timing was serendipitous. Natasha had been preparing for this for years. With a background in retail sales and design, her entrepreneurial instincts were sharpened by decades of leadership roles focused on customer service and artistry. “Interior design, decorating, real estate – my mind is constantly going,” she said. “I can walk into a room and notice the paint colours, how the furniture is arranged, how everything fits together.”
The B&B opened officially on July 1, 2020, and quickly became a haven for travellers seeking charm, warmth, comfort, and thoughtful touches. The name, Down East Comfort, reflected both geography and philosophy. “Every time we would go on vacation, we’d be telling friends and co-workers, ‘we’re heading down East,’” Natasha said.
Each of the original rooms – New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island – honours the families’ East Coast roots. Within their family, they have all the East Coast provinces covered. Larry while born in PEI, his family originated from Nova Scotia and eventually moved to beautiful Miramichi. Natasha was born in New Brunswick with parents from Newfoundland, where Natasha was raised from a young age along with her sister.
The interior of the B&B and the guest rooms blend historic elements with comfort-focused design: king-sized beds, large beds, some suites with clawfoot tubs, cozy sitting areas, and curated vintage pieces that echo Natasha’s love of repurposing. In 2025, the property expanded into a restored section of the home – once a separate living area – now transformed into a self-contained Guest House that’s home to the Newfoundland and Labrador rooms. “With that addition, we now cover all of our family connections to the East Coast,” she said.
At the heart of the B&B experience is breakfast – a multi-course event that guests rave about. “The main dish rotates daily, and we try to add an East Coast connection – something we grew up with or that’s tied to our family history,” Natasha said. “For example, if we’re serving eggs benedict, we might make it with smoked salmon, because of the connection to the river, or serve it on a fish cake instead of an English muffin.” Every dish is prepared with care, always served on china, and accompanied by a home-baked or local sweets. “There’s not many places that you can soak in a clawfoot tub and just sit back and relax and kind of turn off the world around you,” she said.
Even as Down East Comfort grows, the personal touch remains central. “We’re not doing self-check-in for the guest suites,” Natasha said. “We meet you at the door, walk you to your room, ask about your breakfast preferences – just to make sure you have that comfortable start to your stay.” In saying that, if you want a more hands-off approach, the Guest House can accommodate a self-check-in process, and breakfast can also be added to the stay.
She described weddings where the bridal party gets ready at the B&B, then returns the next morning overflowing with gratitude. One bride told her that being there was one of the highlights of her entire wedding.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than getting positive guest feedback…to have an impact in such a big way, on such a big part of their life,” Natasha said.
That sense of connection runs deep at Down East Comfort. While comfort is in the name, it extends beyond ambiance – it’s also about family. Natasha’s parents, Ivan and Joanne, have been part of the operation since day one. “We were like, oh my gosh, how are we going to make this work?” Natasha remembered. “My parents insisted, ‘We’ll come and work that first summer with you.’ Thankfully, they did!” Five years later, they’re still part of the team. Yet none of this could have been possible without the dream also becoming Larry’s dream and his equally hard work and dedication to the vision.
While family remains at the heart of the B&B, the surrounding community plays an important role in the guest experience. Outside the walls of the home, Natasha has embraced the Miramichi region as a partner in experience. Guests can enjoy “River and Rest” fishing excursions or join walking history tours that start at the front door. Within blocks are craft breweries, a beer garden with live music, distilleries, restaurants, and the scenic Ritchie Wharf.
“We do little things to increase the guest experience,” Natasha said, referencing their collection of wrapped books labeled only with brief descriptions or the postcards we provide for our guests to write home about their stay in Miramichi and New Brunswick. “If you just want to kick back and relax, you can do that here at the B&B.”
Looking ahead, Natasha is planning to expand her offerings beyond overnight stays. Themed afternoon teas are in development for 2026, as are additional guest experiences that don’t require an overnight booking. “Whether you’re local or traveling through,” she said, “we want people to experience the home in different ways.”
Down East Comfort supports local businesses and growers, sourcing local ingredients and products when and where possible to enhance the East Coast experience. “We are constantly seeing new ways to meet more needs of our guests and add value to their stay and promote the region and all that it offers. There is so much to do and see in the Miramichi region.” Natasha said.
With its inviting suites, exceptional food, and homegrown hospitality, Down East Comfort is not only redefining what it means to stay in Miramichi – it’s proving that a dream rooted in heritage and heart can flourish.
Natasha’s dream took years to materialize. But when the timing was finally right, she and Larry were ready. When asked what advice she would offer aspiring entrepreneurs, Natasha didn’t hesitate. “If you have an idea and a dream, really take the time to look into it and see how you can make it a reality.”
by Lauren Reid