Meet the Designer for Jules: David Thompson

Opening in late August, the newest dining experience at Barnsley Resort, Jules, breathes fresh life into a beloved 19th century farmhouse, lovingly redesigned by the talented David Thompson of David Thompson Studio, the Charleston architecture and design firm behind many acclaimed Southern restaurants, including James Beard award-winning, FIG and Atlanta’s wildly popular, Indaco. The resort’s ownership group, South Street Partners, previously engaged Thompson to design B-Liner, the oceanfront restaurant at their celebrated Kiawah Island Club, conceived by consulting Chef Mike Lata, the James Beard Award-winning owner of FIG and The Ordinary.  

Q&A with David Thompson: 

What intrigued you most about the Jules project at Barnsley Resort?
I have a relationship with South Street Partners from Kiawah Island and The Cliffs, so continuing that working relationship was an exciting opportunity. It is always an intriguing design opportunity to update a classic. Breathing new life into an already established fixture within the resort has intrigue. How does one add a new perspective to a historic property and make sure it enhances the experience and doesn’t detract from it or compete with it? 

When visiting Barnsley, what is your favorite aspect of the resort? 
Walking around the property at night or early morning is such a wonderful experience.  The historic ruins are inspiring architecturally but a grounding experience as well.   

What aspects of the existing resort inspired you the most when considering the design at Jules?
The story of the family and grounds were a touch stone in the design but primarily the relationship to the outdoors. The sporting lifestyle of Barnsley in its current form as well as a way of living that is connected to the land was inspiring for the material and color palette and art curation.  

What feeling would you wish diners to have as they enjoy a meal or even a cocktail at Jules?
Jules offers a unique setting for a multitude of experiences.  The bar and cocktail lounge is convivial and approachable at any time and lends itself well to post sporting gathering or a great place to start or end a meal. The dining room offers an elevated, more luxurious room fit for a special occasion. The garden room gives one a sense of dining on an enclosed veranda with great connectivity to the landscape and the Salon is an intimate scaled, traditional dining room that feels like being welcomed into a more residential space.