With the help of Chambliss & Rabil and BMH Architects, we completed a full renovation of the dining, kitchen, and bar spaces of the Porters Neck Country Club Grill Room, now known as Porters. With a strong concept direction from the beginning, we took this traditional club dining area and reinterpreted it to reflect today's lifestyles. Coastal hues were infused throughout, using nature's rich color palette. The goal was to create a unique dining experience that was both sophisticated and casual. We incorporated the warmth of wood finishes and natural textures, which contrasts with the updated lighting. This concept continued by blending classic architectural details with contemporary design elements. We used varying furnishing types, as well as wall and floor finishes to add visual interest and separate spaces within. Overall, it’s an inviting atmosphere that’s flexible for the variety of group types and events that the space hosts year-round.
We combined functionality with design, interjecting innovative materials throughout the space. The 'Porters' sign is mounted on top of beautiful glass tile that is backlit by LED lighting, so it appears to glow behind the bar. All the woodwork in the space was custom hand built, from the bar and top, to the wine cabinet display and hostess and wait stations. We turned a photo of surrounding marshland, by local photographer Chris Frick, into a custom printed mural that served as a focal point in the design while also helping with acoustics in the space. The backside of each of the panels that make up mural is lined with acoustic foam, so it captures some of the sound instead of bouncing it back around the room.
