Home is where the Clubhouse is, and for residents of Brightwater in Myrtle Beach, SC, it’s a newly refurbished retreat for relaxing, reflecting and appreciating the seaside lifestyle.
“Our goal was simple: to create spaces where our members feel at home in an atmosphere that is warm, welcoming and peaceful,” said Gina Gaines, director of design for Senior Living Communities, Brightwater’s owner and operator. “Members and future residents will find themselves walking into an oasis of peaceful hues and unparalleled styles throughout the Clubhouse.”
The all-inclusive, luxury retirement community offers independent, assisted living and memory care residences as well as skilled nursing.
With décor fashioned to make a good first impression, the entrance, living room, dining room and library all have “wow factor” design elements. Because the Clubhouse is the central location for dining, meetings, activities and gatherings, company leadership thought it should have a thorough makeover to emphasize that importance.
Although the Clubhouse was not enlarged, Gaines said the design team opened it up and used creative lighting to instill a bright and airy feel. The project itself took a tidy three-to-four months to complete and the work barely registered on the inconvenience scale, said executive director Leslie Fryar.
“The project was done in phases to minimize disruption and members enjoyed watching the progress,” she said. “Our Clubhouse is an extension of our members’ home. They are enjoying their new space and are proud to show it to their family and friends.”
Color is important to the décor throughout the community and integral to the Clubhouse’s seashore vibe, Gaines said.
“We opted to go with a soothing color palette that promotes a calm and bright environment,” she said. “Therefore, we use a lot of soft blue and green tones as well as neutrals to reflect the sand and sea.
“This seems to appeal to our members and is especially nice at the coast. Our goal is to promote a ‘casual elegance’ that our members can enjoy. The exterior of our building is very bright and happy; we wanted the inside to feel the same.”
The key element in the design is the coastal, peaceful, airy feel that the new Clubhouse conveys, Gaines said.
“Our goal is to make our facility a haven or sanctuary for our members, where they can be at peace and be comfortable,” she said. “By removing heavy drapery and opening up the windows, we allowed the light to come in. We feel it is important to bring light and life to the community, since a lot of our members don’t get out often.”
