Woodlands Reimagined: David Thompson Studio’s Vision

Since its opening in 1999, Woodlands has served as the culinary heart of Barnsley Resort. Resort guests, members and local diners have long enjoyed a gathering place where exceptional dining, warm hospitality, and the beauty of North Georgia come together for breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the seasons. This summer, Woodlands is slated for a thoughtful renovation led by David Thompson Studio, designed to elevate every aspect of the restaurant while honoring its longstanding connection to the resort’s history and character. Lead Designer Jude Yeager shares insight and inspiration for Woodlands’ next chapter.  

What intrigued you most about the Woodlands project at Barnsley Resort? 

The name Woodlands tells the story of the original estate, and that connection to the land and the past is something that is rare to work with so directly. What intrigued us most was the opportunity to honor that legacy, while reimagining the space for how guests experience it today. The bones of the building carry so much character: the knotty pine ceilings, the flagstone floors, the stone fireplace, and rather than erasing any of that, we wanted our work to feel like a thoughtful continuation of the story the building was already telling. 

What aspects of the existing resort inspired you most when considering the design at Woodlands? 

Barnsley Resort has this rare quality of feeling both grand and deeply rooted in the Georgia landscape. The ruins, the gardens, and the history of the Barnsley family all create an atmosphere that is simultaneously romantic and a little wild. That spirit informed everything. We were also inspired by the resort’s connection to the outdoors: hunting, sport, the land. Those threads run through every room at Woodlands; from the materials we selected to the art and accessories we curated. We want guests to feel like they’ve stepped into a place with real history. 

How did you approach the Woodlands project differently than Jules? 

Jules was about creating an elevated, layered dining experience with a lot of personality and contrast from room to room. At Woodlands, we took a completely different approach. Here, the architecture itself is the star. The existing knotty pine, the flagstone, the stone fireplace, those aren’t elements you design around, they’re elements you design with. So, rather than layering in a lot of bold color or pattern, we focused on deepening what was already there, using antique heart pine beams, herringbone wood floors, scenic toile wallpaper, and natural materials that feel indigenous to the place.  

What feeling would you wish diners to have as they enjoy a meal at Woodlands? 

We want guests to feel like they’ve been welcomed into a space that has always existed. A place with roots, with warmth, with stories in the walls. Not precious or performative, but genuine. We want guests to take a seat at a candlelit table, look out at the landscape, and feel completely at ease. There’s a particular kind of comfort that comes from being in a room where nothing feels forced, and that’s what we were after at Woodlands.  

About David Thompson Studio

David Thompson Studio is the Charleston architecture and design firm behind many acclaimed Southern restaurants, including James Beard award-winning FIG in Charleston and Atlanta’s wildly popular, Indaco. Resort owners South Street Partners previously engaged Thompson to redesign Jules at Barnsley Resort, which opened in late summer 2025 with acclaimed Chef Shaun Doty. David Thompson Studio also designed B-Liner, the oceanfront restaurant at South Street Partners’ celebrated Kiawah Island Club, conceived by consulting Chef Mike Lata, the James Beard Award-winning owner of FIG and The Ordinary. This commitment to culinary excellence is evidenced in South Street’s partnerships beyond Barnsley’s borders, with The Butcher’s Club at their PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens helmed by Jeremy Ford, the chef behind the Michelin-starred Stubborn Seed in Miami.