Everlan of Clemson

Everlan at Clemson is a luxury senior living community located in the iconic Patrick Square area of Clemson, South Carolina. Near Clemson University, Patrick Square features upscale single family homes with classic southern charm and expansive porches. The community population consisted primarily of college students, alumni and families. Adding a senior component was of major importance, but the architectural style of any senior living community had to tie in with the look of the neighborhood. The memory care and assisted living facilities were built in 2019, and the independent living section was finished in 2020.

The entire facility, including the interior and exterior spaces, had to all work together as one wholistic design that was also cohesive with the surrounding neighborhood. “We wanted to create a sense of continuity throughout all of the spaces so that Everlan would feel like one big, beautiful magnolia home. We also wanted to elevate the design to create a level of sophistication, with a subtle collegiate tie-in,” said lead designer Brittany Panachida of Banko Design. Furniture selections for the outdoor living spaces had to be extremely durable, mirror the southern sophistication design scheme, and meet the functional needs of the senior residents.

Banko Design selected a combination of wovens, stools and rockers that tied into the southern theme. Furniture selections followed a neutral oyster pallet that complemented the building’s exterior colors. Monochromatic lighter tones were complemented with a variety of warmer grays to create an eye-pleasing look that blended seamlessly with the architecture to create an upscale homey atmosphere. Traditional rockers and wicker pieces were paired with contemporary benches and tables to create a transitional look that is classically southern with a touch of modern whimsy. The building design includes a smattering of small porches throughout the property, as well as an open-air garden and grilling area. Banko furnished these outdoor living spaces with multiple cozy conversation areas where residents or visiting family members can feel at home.

“Quality of life for the residence is very important to both the builder and the designer on the Everlan project,” said Meg Wilson, Summer Classics account representative. “Melissa created several chat spaces, which is ideal from an aesthetic and functional standpoint. Residents can spread out and enjoy the comfort of their homes with visitors indoor and out. The soft colors and cool finishes blended well with the outdoor patio, which created a very calming, comfortable space.”

Much of the garden design centers on woven lounge chairs from the Regent collection that feature generous proportions, delicate curves and a braided weave that elevates the look. Designed with slightly broader arms for comfortable yet sturdy lounge seating, this collection is constructed using Summer Classics’ patented N-dura™ Resin in a contemporary woven design that is as transitional as it is timeless. The elegant monochromatic color scheme of the lounge chairs mirrors the building’s exterior walls to add a modern touch to the classic southern styling.
Rockers from the Club Aluminum collection create intimate conversation areas along the porches and the garden wall. These low-maintenance wrought aluminum chairs are designed to be used with or without a cushion and offer a fresh take on southern porch living with dimensions that work well for seniors. The three-step powder-coating process mimics the look of natural woodgrain with a finish that is 10 times thicker than paint. The warmer slate gray selected provides a pop of deeper tones to add character to the spaces. Benches from this collection were incorporated throughout the garden and walkways to provide anchor points and ample seating for larger families.

“We chose these Summer Classics pieces because we knew they would hold up, drain and dry faster than others, and provide the level of design that we demanded,” Panachida said. “We pride ourselves on good communication and great partnership. Summer Classics is one of those really great partners. They offer a great price point for the quality and a good amount of flexibility within the collections. And, they’re a one-stop shop with different price ranges and something for each of our client types.”

“Dominion was thrilled with the end product,” Panachida said. “We’ve gotten lots of feedback from the community that the outdoor spaces are used a ton, are comfortable and are lovely. They are constantly posting photos on their social media. The outdoor spaces have gotten even more use this year. We’re happy to help provide a space where the residents can get some vitamin D, fresh air and exercise. I love designing spaces that our seniors deserve.”