The County Club, a long established Private Member’s Club in Bridgwater, Somerset reopened its doors on Wednesday 3rd November 2010, following the first phase of a staged interior refurbishment.
The Club, originally known in the 1800’s as “The Bridgwater Club”, occupies the rooms of a former private house whose origins date from the 17th century. The building is in an area reputed to have been the grounds of the 11th century Bridgwater Castle. Today King Square is bordered on two sides by fine Regency terraces constructed from 1810 onwards.
The Club has undergone a programme of building works and refurbishment in order to construct a new entrance porch and cloakroom. Entrance to the Club is now by way of a raised and fielded six panel door, finished in a sharp black gloss and framed by the reclaimed brickwork of the new porch.
Interior refurbishment has been carried out under the direction of interior designer Deborah Shelton. Following extensive research and consultation with the membership to formulate a brief, the lounge bar and dining areas were relocated and new contemporary accents combined with a simple yet enduring finish were introduced.
The designer advised the committee to ensure that only commercial grade furniture and upholstery fabrics should be introduced, in order to meet the statutory flammability requirements.
Now completed, the new lobby area leads into the dining room, where tables are set against a backdrop of cream wainscoting and walls accented with an appetite whetting Regency red, combined with the timeless elegance of Kentia Palms.
Pale cream walls provide a warm and sophisticated backdrop throughout. In the lounge bar the colour is partnered with a swathe of grey above the wainscot panelling.
Pleated black wall lamps emit a subtle wash of subdued lighting and complement the black armchairs and red Axminster carpet.
Contrasting red tones and charcoal grey elements have been introduced into the drapes, whose horizontal bands engage with the dado rails and small window panes, leading the eye from one area to the next.
The seat cushions of a small number of armchairs have been covered in a barcode of scarlet and grey stripe and the generous window seat in the bar area has been upholstered to match.
Previously, fluorescent strip lighting had been used within the bar both for task lighting and to illuminate the various spirits and wines. The lighting scheme has now been updated with red pendant shades whose white enamel undersides provide bright bar lighting. The upturned chrome domes of the lamp fittings mirror the adjacent glass domes of the existing ceiling lights. Additional spotlights have been fitted adding clever accents to the bar.
Members may now take time to meet and relax in the lounge enjoying the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, accompanied by the faint rustling of broadsheet newspapers or the background commentary of a cricket match.
Editors Note: From the grand £multi-million interiors of the Marriots, Kempinski’s and Intercontinentals of this world to a small incremental tight budget refurbishment in an English provincial town, interior designers work transforms not just interiors but peoples concepts of comfort and luxury. We like to show the whole gamut so please, send us your photographs and articles
