The Elk River Club: Banner Elk, NC.

Submitted by: One Design Center, Inc., Interior Designer

The Elk River Club arrived on the scene in the 1980's, nestled in the grandeur and beauty of the Great Smokey Mountains. The original clubhouse decor reflected the southwestern color palette and Florida flamboyance that so clearly dominated the design landscape of new construction projects throughout that decade.

Responding to the changing tastes of its membership, The Elk River Club initiated a major renovation project in the fall of 2000 which was quickly completed in May 2001. The redesign would focus on four specific areas of the clubhouse: the entry, the gallery, the grille, and the lounge. Elk River members spent the majority of their time in one of these four areas, so the proposed changes would have the biggest impact on day to day life in the clubhouse.

The membership was looking for a sophisticated mountain club that would reflect the area's natural beauty, and wanted to incorporate the club's combined English and Scottish heritage into the design as much as possible. Anne Bowers, interior designer at One Design Center, Inc, began with a dramatic change in the entryway, replacing the existing marble floor and teal carpeting with slate flooring that matched the outdoor pathways and steps surrounding the club.

Drawing from the club's landscape material palette, Bowers was able to smooth the transition between outdoors and indoors, and set the tone for the rest of the clubhouse design. The designer also added a custom-designed area rug for warmth, incorporating imagery of native plants and flowers from the region.

In the gallery, Bowers used all Axminster wool carpeting, tinted with rich green and natural beige hues derived from the club's logo. An asymmetrical section of the wall was leveled to create a cleaner design, and Bowers found a combination of English antique furniture, plants, and dark bronze animal statuary to line the walls.

The changes in the grille and lounge areas also began with new custom carpeting. There were a few pieces of furniture that Bowers was able to salvage and reupholster, because the wood legs and carved bases were substantial enough to work with the new design of the clubhouse. "We were able to keep a couple of Baker chairs, some chests, and natural wood consoles, which was enough to save the club money without compromising the renovation," said Bowers. Local craftsmen and carpenters were drafted to create the soft millwork over the bar and new wooden tables that warmly accent the lounge and grille spaces.

Overall, Elk River renovation transformed the clubhouse from a generation-specific, dated facility to a timeless retreat for its membership, with classic furnishings and a charming ambiance. Materials are strong, colors are muted, and meticulous attention to detail permeates every aspect of this renewed golfer haven.