Strolling into Sketch (a former Dior atelier) on a normal day is like falling into a white rabbit’s hole of wonder, but walk into Sketch during their Mayfair Flower Show and you will be overwhelmed with a sensory overload of floral fantasy. From the outer façade to the swooping staircase, paying homage to its west London RHS sister flower show in Chelsea, Sketch has let five of London’s leading florists run wild with ambitious, decadent displays which adorn five corners of this unique space.
In a truly patriotic manner, each artist took inspiration from the best of the British landscape, whilst showcasing their relationship with the natural world, a dedication for floristry and a passion for creating truly unique living works of art. The entrance has been transformed by a floral tunnel inspired by the May Day country fairs, complete with may pole, fortune tellers display and apothecary cabinet. Continue through to the rose garden in the reception area and up the stairs, inspired by No.9 Conduit Street’s previous life as an outpost of the House of Dior – each different area is a feast for the senses.
Meanwhile, the Michelin-starred Lecture Room and Library restaurant on the second floor explores the traditional English garden with a planetarium of quintessentially English blooms and exquisite hanging lights by innovative British lighting brand Tala. No trip to Sketch would be complete without a peek at the iconic ‘pod’ toilets, made even more Instagram-able by the addition of Fig & Co’s delphinium masterpiece. With clouds of topiary in the shapes of rabbits and bees hanging from the ceiling and the staircase awash with deep indigo and blue toned blooms, this is an area not to be forgotten about.
For this, its second edition of the Mayfair Flower Show, Sketch have partnered with the French perfumer Diptyque and Pommery champagne, along with award winning milliner Piers Atkinson who has created a line of bespoke floral headpieces for the front of house ambassadors to wear, available to purchase at the end of the show. Diptyque flood the space with their rich Cypres scent, with candles adorning and perfuming each room; a woody, natural fragrance blended with tints of honey, resin and cypress tree needles which truly makes you feel as though you’ve stepped into a forest of the most magical variety. A veritable oasis of calm in busy central London – this is one British country garden waiting to be explored, but hurry, it won’t be there for long.
The Mayfair Flower Show will run alongside the Chelsea Flower Show from 17th-29th May 2017 at 9 Conduit Street, London, W1S 2XG. For more information please visit the website.
