The High Point Country Club, established in 1923, approached Barbour Spangle Design because the members started to feel that the décor in their formal dining room needed a refresh. The Country Club wanted to cater to its newer generation of members while maintaining the social environment and classic aesthetic that the established members were accustomed to. The Country Club was aiming to create a casual yet upscale sports bar. There was to be no dress code in this dining room to encourage members to eat no matter the occasion. With this in mind, our design team was off to the races, creating what would eventually become known as the 1923 Bistro.
The club started by sharing its needs for the space: it needed to seat a certain number of people in the space provided while providing a versatile space layout, and the design needed to tie in this new space with the existing club.
We created a lighting grid instead of lights over individual tables to achieve flexible seating. The lighting grid and uniform square tables allow for movement and grouping of tables to accommodate larger groups.
We utilized all the existing woodwork to keep this space cohesive with the rest of the club. Some elements were repainted, but some were left with their original stain. This approach upheld the integrity of the elements and the space as a whole.
All window treatments were removed to take advantage of the expansive view of the golf course from the dining room. Since window treatments can quickly date a space, this decision also provides longevity to the design.
Green was chosen as the dominant color to compliment the club's golf course and other spaces. Metal cutout screens were installed to make an entrance for the dining area and give privacy to the diners at the banquette seating.
The architect designed a large bar for this project, and we took that into account when designing the ceiling. The bar ties together the bistro's sports bar feel and presents a new, modern country club. Personalized wine lockers were installed next to the bar so members could keep bottles of wine on hand for a special celebration.
The transformation of this space is a testament to how much we enjoyed collaborating with the client on their vision. There are many new traditional style elements and casual chic decor while upholding the Country Club's sincerity and paying homage to its roots. Our design concept words for this project were fresh, comfortable, elevated, classic, and social, which is the vibe we strove to achieve. We hope members from all generations will enjoy the 1923 Bistro for years to come!
See more from this project here: 1923 Bistro | High Point Country Club
