A
new life for the Caribbean...
In the Fall of 2004, the Caribbean Motel
was purchased by its new owners, George Miller and Carolyn Emigh, who saw the
beauty and charm in this iconic masterpiece of 1950s "modern" architecture,
and have sought to restore the motel to its original mid-century glory. Throughout
the off-season, a meticulous effort has been made to preserve and refurbish the
motel's authentic architectural features while adding 21st-century amenities and
services, transforming the motel into a modern-day celebration of mid-20th century
leisure and lifestyle that will stand for generations to come!
Rooms
that jump & jive...
Newly renovated rooms have been professionally
designed by New York-based interior designer Darleen Lev, and are a re-interpretation
of classic 1950s kitsch, combining vibrant colors and giddy optimism with a flare
for the exotic. A mix of authentic and retro-reproduced Eames-era furnishings
along with enchanting "Caribbean Deco" colors and shapes now define
the motel's interior spaces, from the lobby to the lounge to the new "Doo
Wop" rooms.Here's what Darleen had to say about her role in shaping the Caribbean
Motel's funky new interiors...
"My goal with The Caribbean was not
only to restore it to an accurate representation of the aesthetics of the 1950's,
but also to create a fantasy that doesn't end with the glowing crescent-shaped
pool and multi-colored lights in the eaves. I wanted guests to feel they are experiencing
the Caribbean inside the room, thus the fresh green carpet and the grass wall.
One detail that stands out from my own trips to the Caribbean is the primitive
beauty of the handpainted signs; the handmade palm trees on the grass walls above
the beds are artwork with a decidedly human touch, rather than the usual bland,
mass produced "painting" that blends in with the wallpaper. The palm
trees also represent the Caribbean Motel's distinction as being the first in Wildwood
to import plastic palms. Stripes were big in the 50's, and so was color. The drapes
and bedding pick up the colored lights in the eaves, and contribute to the techinicolor
fantasy. For me, when a technicolor movie ends, I feel a certain sadness that
the world doesn't look this way in real life. But while staying at The Caribbean
Motel, I can live that fantasy, and isn't that what a trip away from home is supposed
to be about?"
Past and future architecture...
Philadelphia-based
architect Anthony Bracali has worked with the Caribbean Motel to help re-invent
the property for the 21st century while maintaining the motel's classic 1950s
architectural design and character.
"The Caribbean motel is really
one of a kind", said Bracali, who has also designed the Caribbean's new logo
and identity scheme. "It assembles in one place all the elements that compose
the WiMo (Wildwood Modern... aka "Doo Wop") style: signature neon signage,
a fantastic, futuristic lobby with elevated ramp and a distinctive central pool.
Our logo design work for the motel focuses on these architectural features,
because they are the most tied to creating a brand for the building. Through the
logos, the architecture and the image and experience of the building become one."
Bracali
has also helped to design and enhance some of the motel's newly refurbished architectural
features and outdoor spaces.
Never-ending improvement...
The
Caribbean's dedicated owners, George and Carolyn, continue to invest in property
upgrades and renovations year after year, to ensure that the Caribbean is not
only restored to its original architectural glory, but far exceeds the level of
style, service and comfort the motel offered in the 1950s - and surpasses any
other Doo Wop motel in The Wildwoods today!
For example, the motel's plumbing
system was completely refurbished in 2008, with all-new water pipes installed
for optimal bathing and drinking quality! More improvements are in the works!
Stay tuned!
| | | Caribbean
Motel Owners
George Miller & Carolyn Emigh |
| Newly
renovated rooms at the Caribbean Motel |
| NYC-based
designer Darleen Lev pictured in the Caribbean Motel's newly renovated Cabana
Lounge |
| Architect/designer
Anthony Bracali unveils the Caribbean's new logo during the motel's grand re-opening
reception |
|
