Amblebrook Clubhouse

Project - Amblebrook Clubhouse

Location - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Product Used - HW926 Fendi Plank and HW3001 Fendi Herringbone

Designer - Megan Sherwood Designs

Photographer - Studio Trejo

Passionate about designing complete and immersive experience, Megan Sherwood takes pride in her interiors that captivate the eye, evoke emotions, but also create a sense of belonging. 

The Amblebrook Clubhouse, located in the historic city of Hunterstown, Gettysburg, spans an impressive 800-acre plot of land with a rich history. The site played a pivotal role in the Civil War's Battle of Gettysburg before being repurposed as a dairy farm, and now as a clubhouse and residences designed for today's active adults. 

Drawing inspiration from Pennsylvania's natural elements and incorporating a blend of vintage and contemporary materials such as sandstone, marble, wood, and slate, the design approach aimed to capture the raw essence of the landscape. Havwoods provided high-quality engineered wood flooring that complemented the natural surroundings and enhanced the overall design of the Amblebrook clubhouse.

The welcome center was thoughtfully designed to offer a fusion of modern farmhouse meeting industrial chic space. The interior was transformed into an indoor courtyard, featuring towering trees that promote a sense of community and emotional connections to prospective clients' future homes. The clubhouse, on the other hand, was designed to meet the social, cultural, and community needs of the residents while seamlessly integrating into the surroundings. 

Despite its historical significance, the clubhouse exudes elegance and sophistication. The attention to detail and use of high-quality materials elevates the experience, selling not just a space but a complete lifestyle.  

Nature influenced the rich color palette from the golden fields and farmland, where wheat, barley and dairy were cultivated. The design team prioritized the selection of the perfect flooring as a foundational element. After careful consideration, Fendi, a smoked oak from Havwoods’ Venture Plank Collection, was selected, renowned for its subtle variations, which provided a rich base for the design scheme.

When selecting materials, both aesthetics and functionality are valuable factors, ensuring that they not only look appealing but also meet safety requirements with suitable slip ratings for everyday use. Megan’s goal is to create spaces that are both visually captivating and practical for their intended purpose. 

“The use of different flooring materials should only be considered for specific areas such as closed-off rooms or pockets that require a warmer and more luxurious finish, achieved through the use of area rugs.”

When selecting floors for a project, the design vision and aesthetic of the space play a crucial role. The flooring should complement the overall design style and contribute to the ambiance of the room. Practicality and functionality are also important factors, ensuring that the chosen flooring material suits the intended use of the space. Neutral flooring palettes are often favored for their versatility and ability to serve as a blank canvas for layering other design elements. 

For this specific project, the aim was to establish a harmonious connection between the floor coverings and the surrounding wheat and barley fields. The Fendi oak, with its varied plank from honey to sand coloring, beautifully replicated the swaying fields of wheat and barley. The soft gold tones of the flooring perfectly complemented the moody color palette of blues, greys, blacks, and browns. Ultimately, creating a harmonious interplay of contrasting colors that lends a cohesive and calming atmosphere. Care was taken to ensure that the flooring did not clash with the featured oak beams in the space. 

“In my opinion, wooden floors are the epitome of timeless elegance and sophistication, and they are an essential element in creating a welcoming and comfortable interior.”

The wood floors are appreciated for their depth and character they bring to a space. The natural texture and variations within each plank lend a unique and organic quality to the flooring, creating a sense of authenticity and warmth.