The Color Orange and Its Place at the Atlantis Lodge

Orange is a cheerful color, isn’t it? In terms of interior decorating, though, it can be a huge commitment. It seems to be one of those colors people either truly love or deeply hate. It is a possibility, though, that you might just be unsure how you feel about it. Maybe I can sway you!

While yellow is typically a color our guests associate with the Atlantis, thanks to our beloved yellow umbrellas, I happen to love the color orange and I’m guessing that love is hereditary. My grandfather (A.C. Hall, whom we lovingly call “Pops”) has used the color orange for as long as I can remember. If you have come to stay with us at the Atlantis Lodge I am certain you have noticed the presence of orange. It is featured on many of the original decorative pieces and as noted in Our State Magazine, “The Atlantis isn’t retro. It’s authentic.”

Orange is displayed on the Knoll chairs in the guest rooms…

Some of the original pendant lamps still hang…

Even on one of the newest orange additions, the patio umbrella…

But, my personal favorite isn’t visible to all or our guests. Pop’s alcove office in his apartment…

Pops isn’t just a lover of orange. He loves to use all colors. With a long history in design, he has a well-developed sense of style.

He studied at N.C. State’s School of Design for three years and gained his master’s degree in City Planning from Chapel Hill. He became Raleigh City planner in 1952 and worked in that position until 1980. He designed their home in Raleigh in which my dad, uncles and aunt were raised. In 1960 he began the vision and design of the Atlantis Lodge. They began welcoming guests in 1962 and by 1973 all of the buildings were complete as it stands today. He had a hand in designing every square foot which is yet another reason this hotel is so close to our hearts.

He didn’t only design buildings and cities; he would even design and make clothes for my grandmother. I have clear memories of complimenting her on her halter-top (a style that I was way too young to wear at the time, but loved!) and she responded, “Why thank you! Pops made it for me!”

His vision and design for the Atlantis Lodge and its surrounding grounds has stood the test of time, orange and all. I am so grateful for it. I always think of Pops whenever I pick the color orange, which is quite often… even in my own home.

Atlantis Lodge is a premier oceanfront hotel on the Crystal Coast that is pet friendly. A boutique hotel located in Pine Knoll Shores on the Southern Outer Banks, it has been called a “true treasure”.

What is Mine is Yours - The Atlantis Philosophy

Everyone has childhood memories. Mine seem to be stored under various categories in my brain. Maybe yours are the same way. Some memories are like still-shot photographs, some are longer scenes or conversations, some are feelings or emotions I had at the time, some are even familiar smells connected to belongings or homes. All of these ways of remembering have one thing in common: a story that is attached to them.  What’s odd is that some stories are spurred on by memories and some memories are spurred on by stories told to you. This is one of the latter.

A story I have heard many times, mostly from my Mema, but from other family members as well, is the story of the addition of the pool at the Atlantis Lodge. The story goes like this:

Mema asked Pops if he would consider building a pool. Her main reason being that her only 2 grandchildren at the time (myself and my sister) would really enjoy playing in a pool. Mema herself loved to swim as well. It was one of her childhood hobbies. She wanted us to benefit from a quieter place to enjoy the water when the ocean of the Crystal Coast seemed too big. So, Pops objected at first saying there was not enough room in the brush between the two parking lots. Until one day he came into the kitchen and quietly proclaimed, “Ya know, I think there is just enough room in there for a nice sized pool.” He had gone out into the brush and measured it himself. It wasn’t too long after that we were able to swim in the pool that is there today, complete with all of surrounding trees that Pops was smart enough to keep and its self-circulating waterfall to keep the baby pool refreshing. I was in the pool for the very first time and, as I have heard the story told to me, I asked, “Why are all these people in my pool!?”. 

As a two and a half-year-old, I couldn’t understand the concept of the hotel and all of its surroundings not being at my personal disposal. It’s what makes the story funny.

I have many other memories in that pool, years and years of them. (As I am now 32 and have girls of my own who swim in it.) The ironic thing is that, beyond that story, all of my memories of being at the hotel involve me feeling the presence of a very grown-up concept: hospitality. I learned at a very early age that “what is mine is yours.” I learned this because it was modeled before me. Generations of hospitality-minded people who constantly gained joy from sharing what they had were now able to share that same heart with me, my parents, aunts, uncles, sister and cousins. At every age I have known that everyone staying at the hotel is a friend. Everyone is invited to come around for a snack or for dinner. Come, sit in the shade with us. Come, laugh with us. The more the merrier. I hope I can make your Atlantis memories as special as you have made mine.

Atlantis Lodge is a premier oceanfront hotel on the Crystal Coast that is pet friendly. A boutique hotel located in Pine Knoll Shores on the Southern Outer Banks, it has been called a “true treasure”. 

Giveaway!

Have you vacationed with us? If so write a review on our Facebook page and you could WIN a goodie bag (2 shirts, 2 mugs, 2 ball caps, & 2 koozies)! 

We will be drawing a new winner each month! 

50th Anniversary of The Atlantis Lodge

June 1, 2013

This was a beautiful day for our family. We are so grateful that we were given the opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Atlantis Lodge with so many life long friends and family.

The Details:

Location ~ Front lawn of the Atlantis

Music by ~ Maddy Winer and the Grove Park Inn All Stars

Photography by ~ Joshua Curry

We celebrated with food, dancing, and sharing memories.

Soak in these lovely photos.

History of The Atlantis

Thank you to those that were able to join us and those that joined us in spirit. We are blessed to have these dear memories with family and guests. 

In Memory of Our Mema

As I walked through the breezeway for the first trip back to the beach my heart was heavy. I turned the corner to walk into the kitchen and she wasn't there. It is where Mema normally stood awaiting our arrival to the beach from Raleigh. Normally busy making macaroni and cheese, scalloped potatoes and turkey to fill our tummies. She would stand near the stove and clap her hands and practically bounce up and down at any of the families arrival. There are so many memories that fill our hearts with love from her and the legacy she has left. Now that Christmas is here we try our best to remember and not forget the love that she has given. We now try to pass that along to our children.

Here she is beautiful as ever. This photo was taken during her last walk on the beach with Pops.

Her beautiful hand with the shells she collected. One of her most favorite things to do.

Thoughts from Dot's granddaughters, Kellie MacDonald and Lauren Ward: 

While many of our sweetest memories can't be conveyed in words, some of them materialize in wonderful ways...

She would bring towels hot from the dryer out to us as we climbed out of the pool.

She would politely request that I hold my shoulders back and tummy in (even while pregnant!)

There was always an abundance of back rubs, sweet rolls and grammar corrections to be had in her kitchen.

She would underline and bold the writing in every greeting card to let you know she meant every word.

She only called us by her nicknames "Kel" and "Lar Lar".

She filled our stockings every Christmas and included her home-made fudge.

Her Mac and Cheese was out of this world good.

I remember watching the summer Olympics and Duke games with her. She was so much fun to cheer with.

I learned how to garden by watching her. She let us help her fill the bird feeders and bird baths.

She always smelled of her White Shoulders perfume and had an arm full of bracelets that made a very distinct noise. She let the little girls play with her bracelets.

She. Was. Elegant. Even over the past few weeks. I have never known a more elegant woman. She always patted her knee with her hand to every song. She danced so beautifully.

She adored her husband. He adored her. I could tell. Everyone could tell.

They would sit on the deck together and watch us play on the beach. She would collect shells with us and tell us their proper names.

She would prepare our rooms with cookies, milk, chips and pop tarts before we came. And send us on our trip back to Raleigh with snack bags full of turkey and cheese roll-ups.

She believed Apinol could cure any skin wound or sore muscle and would offer it to us on any  "boo-boo" occasion.

She quietly trusted her God. In her last days she said "I always knew He loved me. I didn't know He loved me THIS much."

He loved us often through her. We will miss our Mema.

Dorothy Hall

1929- 2013