Looking Back and Gearing Up.

Occasionally, a few of our restoration/innkeeper highlights (and lowlights) will pop up on our personal FB memories, and we thought we might share one of our favorite DIY moments from along the way.  One of our earliest and most comprehensive makeovers was back in 2014 and involved 7 lovely chest of drawers featured in the photo below.  Getting to our current "after" involved operating on a half dozen very large and heavy TV armoires straight out of the 1980's.  One saw-zaw, a trip to urgent care (incidentally, a very valuable lesson was learned to always wear safety glasses), chalk paint and lots of love gave some old out-dated furniture new life. 

Our current restoration and projects lists are beginning to wind down as we start gearing up for our 2018 season.  This year's off-season included ripping up carpets and refinishing the magnificent original oak hardwood floors upstairs.  This was done in our Corner King rooms and hallway.  We replaced old carpeting in the other 2nd floor guest rooms, as well as having custom rugs and runners made. 

The vestibule of the Garret Loft received some much needed TLC.  Practically speaking, the existing flat painted drywall had certainly taken a beating.   If we were going to fix it, why not mix a little fun with durability.  The Loft's light quality is so soft, it offered the perfect spot to interject a shot of color.  In this case; jadite green, robin's egg blue, cream and grey. Cedar planks and one fun February day of painting and staining resulted in a finished product that is both pretty and practical.  

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Going Greener

Given our location in one of New Jersey's most beautiful places, it's only natural The Zenneth Manor Inn has a strong commitment to understanding and preserving our environment. This is more than a mission statement or slogan; it's a core principle that pervades much of what we do. 

The Zenneth recently joined the renewable energy movement with over 40 solar panels installed on her roof.  This particular system will allow us to generate up to 97% of our electrical needs through clean solar energy.  The most allowable under New Jersey Law.  

We are also actively participating to reduce our environmental impact without sacrificing our guest experience.  From recycling refuse to using non-toxic cleaning supplies, eco-sensitive laundry detergent and toiletry products, we strive to be environmentally conscious.  As an investment to making a difference, each of our guest washrooms have all been improved to include water saving faucets, shower heads and toilets that do not sacrifice comfort for water conservation.  We also employ a voluntary towel re-use program that allows our guests to take part in our water saving efforts.  

Our practice doesn't simply stop inside either.  Zenneth Manor Inn's exterior landscape style eliminates the need for supplemental irrigation and chemical fertilization as is common with a traditional grass lawn.  Known as xeriscaping, we use natural elements and plants that are appropriate to our local climate.  This extends our conservation commitment to both inside and outside our property.  

Going "green" fits our philosophy at the Zenneth- preservation, restoration and conservation. We believe in preserving and enhancing the life of our historic property and the unique island we call home.  Our green goals and the utilization of green technologies, allow our guests to actively contribute to keeping Ocean City beautiful for future generations to enjoy.

Reclaimed Wood + Retro Legs = Beach Casual

Full disclosure:  I am an awful blogger, but a pretty decent DIYer.  Sometimes you see the potential immediately, and you know.  Which is exactly what happened with one particularly filthy piece of wood; I just knew it was a bench.   A simple wooden and metal bench.  

The patina (ie dirt + wear and tear) of the salvaged wood is the star, so we didn't want to lose any.  Just a very light sanding and a wire brush was all the prep needed.  Instead of washing or even wiping down the wood with a wet cloth, I opted for a dry flat paintbrush to remove loose dirt and debris.  To help preserve the wood and provide a smooth sitting surface I chose to use Howard brand wax.  The wood was so dry it took three heavy applications, instead of the usual one or two.  Once the final coat was applied and buffed with a clean cloth we were ready for our legs.  Hairpin legs, to be exact.  

Originally designed and introduced in the early 40's, hairpin legs became an iconic part of 1950's modern design when they were used on many of the Eames chair designs.    Mid-century modern matches the Zenneth Manor Inn's age and style so perfectly it almost didn't matter that Hairpin legs are quite expensive right now.   The lovely retro revivals can go as much as $30 dollars per leg depending on height.  

As a re-claimed DIY,  it would have felt out of character not to DIY the legs too. Luckily, during our recent vintage skim board to coffee table conversion, I stumbled onto an entire bench (complete with hairpin legs but a less than stellar laminate top) for less than $40.  

Our first set of bargain Hairpin legs ordered in teal to match our vintage skimboard. 

Looking past the strange laminate top, this bench was half the cost of ordering individual loose legs.

Essentially half price, we ordered an entire table for the legs alone.   This time around, simple black legs suited the reclaimed wooden top.   Another stool was ordered in, black hairpin legs, along with their strange 1980's throwback red and black laminate top.   Circling back to being the less than awesome blogger that I am, I totally forgot to photograph attaching the legs.  It took one quick bike ride to the hardware store to pick up screws and washers.  One note, we did pre-drill a small pilot hole to not stress the wood and make our lives easier.  Then it was as simple as screwing the legs on.  

Eclectic and unique are not necessarliy complicated or overdesigned.  Our little reclaimed bench is so simple, but does not lack in the character and personality department.    Which makes it a happy DIY sucess that now lives in our Garret Loft.  A modern + rustic bench fits perfectly with our casual beach style.