Barnsgrove: A Luxurious Haven of Innovation, Craftsmanship, and Entrepreneurial Vision.

Interior Design: Jo Butler Barnsgrove
Lighting Scheme Design: Paul & Sally Stephenson OWL Lighting
Lighting Tech: Adrian Brown Alpha Touch
Smart Lighting System: Cameron Drew Loxone
Photography: *Matt Austin and Lam Lighting

In the heart of the Hampshire countryside, visionary businesswoman Jo Butler has harnessed her inate creative instinct to turn an expansive 20,000 sq ft agricultural building into an elegant, exclusive sanctuary. Barnsgrove is a unique project, driven by entrepreneurial spirit and a love for extraordinary beauty. It has resulted in a luxury private members club where refined taste and a deep connection to natural materials take centre stage.

Jo says, “What excites me most about the journey is the stories, people and companies that we have discovered, worked and collaborated with. These stories all form the heart of this collaborative and nurturing space and this will continue to build as our creative and entrepreneurial members join the Clubhouse and story.

Lam Lighting was one of those discoveries. Their stunning wall and pendant lights shone through for their simplicity and beauty of the porcelain. The use of natural materials which were not interfered with and that sit so beautifully in many areas of our Clubhouse. For all involved it has been so lovely to meet the faces behind the products and to understand the company and their stories. Lam Lighting visited and went above and beyond helping to bespoke the lights to hang at the right heights for the spaces. It has been so exciting to work with the team and see the vision now a reality and hear all the amazing comments of our members as they walk around the building.”

At the heart of this transformation are the carefully selected raw materials that shape the club’s aesthetic. Raw plaster walls, antique wooden furniture, and sumptuous fabrics exude warmth and authenticity, while the natural porcelain lighting adds a soft glow that enhances the serene atmosphere. Each room flows naturally into the next, with the design evoking a sense of quiet luxury, inviting guests to linger.

Jo says, “My husband James and I were brainstorming about what to do with the vast expanse of space where our old dairy herd had once been housed. Wanting to create something for locals – where people could come together and connect over coffee, a gym class, a members’ event in the clubhouse – where ideas could be sparked and magic could happen. The dream of building our own version of a country club started to take shape. The scale – 20,000 sq ft to be precise – was what we needed to house offices, residents desks, meeting rooms, a gym, studio, treatment rooms, bar and café – and we set to work. I cannot say that I’ve had a lot of sleep over the past couple of years, but when we opened Barnsgrove’s doors in September, my goodness, was it worth it. I’ve been blown away by the enthusiasm and compliments uttered by everyone who’s been through those doors.”

Elevating Ambience with Artisan Craftsmanship

Jo knew the importance that the lighting would make to the ambience of the spaces and so considered the lighting from the very early stages of the building design.

The lights have been thoughtfully placed throughout the club, playing an integral role in shaping the character of each room. Whether casting a soft, intimate glow in the restaurant or adding a gentle radiance to the wellness center, the lights create a perfect harmony between functionality and art. These are not just fixtures—they are an essential part of the club’s atmosphere, subtly guiding members’ experiences from day to night.

Jo says, “The lighting team at Owl lighting were one of the first teams we brought on board when we started our Barnsgrove diversification on the farm. With such a large expanse of building and so many different uses it was vital that each layer of this was meticulously planned and set out.”

Intelligent Ambience Control

One of the standout features of the lighting design is the integration of Lam Lighting’s fixtures into an intelligent overall control system. This state-of-the-art system adapts to the time of day and the activities within the club, ensuring that each space is always bathed in the perfect light. As morning dawns, soft, natural light fills the communal office spaces, promoting focus and creativity. By evening, a warm, golden glow sets the tone for relaxed dining and social gatherings in the bar. The wellness center, too, shifts from energizing brightness during the day to a more soothing atmosphere in the evening, allowing members to unwind.

This smart system transforms the entire space, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the club’s members, enhancing their experience with every shift in light.