We moved into this property the first week of September and we spent the entire month getting settled, moving furniture in and out of the house, getting rid of all the old motel "stuff" and rebuilding our normal. It was a blur.
In October both Neil's dad and step mom and my parents came to the rescue. We're so thankful for their help and support. They helped us tear out the old and start putting in the new. From carpet to wood flooring, beige walls to white and all the little bits in between, there is no surface that we haven't updated. This winter we are focused on the inside and when Spring comes, we'll focus on the exterior updates. All in time to welcome our first guests.
There have been early mornings and long days, but after two months we can see progress.
Here's a quick before and and in progress - the "after" photos are still to come.
This is what we started with. There was nothing wrong with the motel rooms when we moved in. They just needed a more modern look and some TLC.
That's grandpa (Neil's dad) taking down the old "closet". In addition to helping with demo, he also helped us find and seal up the holes in our 160 year old house and straighten out our sloping floors. Thanks to him, we no longer slide down hills in our living room!
That's Neil - for the record, he cuts and measures better than I do, so when it comes to putting these tiles down I'm the one who does the gluing and placing.
The most common question I get about the renovation is "what design look are you going for"? The answer is modern-Boho. The rooms will have modern aesthetics and clean lines. Our goal is to enhance the view from each balcony by making the room interiors inviting, but simple. In addition to all new flooring, tiles, paint and bathroom fixtures, we have sourced new mattresses (very comfy ones!), new bedding, new TV's, new mini-fridges and all new furniture. Everything that city-folk would expect, but set in a beautiful and peaceful country, ocean-side setting.
What else?
The plan is to offer our guests complimentary access to outdoor amenities - kayaks, bikes, outdoor games and fire pits. And stay add-ons like custom picnic baskets and blankets, grazing boxes, beverages (for adults and kids alike), continental breakfasts and weekend events and entertainment in the summer.
The Eastern Shore, as we are learning, has so many wonderful places to discover. From the most scenic hiking and kayaking spots to small towns and villages to explore, and the marmalade motel is located right in the middle of it all. We're hard at work developing unique experiences for our guests that take the planning out of a weekend getaway. Just book your stay and leave the details to us.
We know, it sounds so great you're ready to book now! Keep checking back. We'll be launching a new site soon and opening up reservations. Hang in there, Spring is just around the corner.
In the meantime, follow us on Instagram (@marmalademotel) for regular updates and renovation fun!