Hotel Domestique

South Carolina, USA

Surrounded by picturesque vineyards and the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains is the beautiful Hotel Domestique, which is owned and operated by George Hincapie the 17-time retired Tour De France competitor.

With its rustic exterior you would be forgiven for thinking that the boutique venue is located within the Tuscan or Provencal countryside and not in the deep southern state of South Carolina. Internally French and Mediterranean influences blend seamlessly with the contemporary flair in the luxurious bedrooms, the restaurant serving delicious local produce, and in the bar where signature cocktails and vintage wine are consumed whilst soaking up the breath-taking views of the manicured gardens.

The dining experience in the hotel's Restaurant 17 is dramatically heightened by the addition of a spectacular fibre optic illumination feature which was designed and engineered by the American hand blown glass lighting company, Studio Bel Vetro. Hotel Domestique's owners wanted a one of a kind installation which would complement the restaurants contemporary décor and serene atmosphere and so commissioned Studio Bel Vetro to create the interesting focal point.

UFO was asked to supply the American lighting company with two cracked glass harnesses which measured 14 feet in length and could be suspended from the ceiling. Glass balls which had been hand blown by Studio Bel Vetro were fixed to each of the fibre tails on the harnesses and illuminated in orange to complement the wooden features found within the restaurant.

Our tungsten halogen light sources and colour wheels were also used to power the fibre optic tails and were conveniently located in an area of the restaurant where staff could gain access to carry out maintenance as and when required.