The home of the three Michelin-starred Sketch is an impressive Grade II* listed building on Conduit Street in London, designed by James Wyatt in 1779 and was the headquarters of the Royal Institute of British Architects – later becoming the London Atelier of Christian Dior. In 2002, restaurateur Mourad Mazouz and chef, Pierre Gagnaire founded the restaurant. Since it has become a destination for food, art, and music, renowned for its (cultural) experimentation and for turning its interior architecture into a canvas for artists and designers.
From the 1st of May to the 1st of June 2025, Sketch will transform its grand neoclassical spaces into a blooming homage to one of England’s best loved authors, Jane Austen. The London venue has invited floral designers to dive into the world and mind of this treasured writer, who brought us Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma and Mansfield Park. Sketch in Bloom, pays fitting tribute to Austen, who was famously a great lover of the outdoors and the English countryside.
Visitors can revel in the whimsy and romance of a dreamlike, wild English Garden, through installations by Lucy Vail Floristry, Ricky Paul and Rob Van Helden. Additional highlights include a ‘living portrait’ photo opportunity to pose as Austen herself, at a regency-style writing desk against a stunning countryside dreamscape created by artist Meg Boscowen.
(Mark Cocksedge)
(Mark Cocksedge)
(Mark Cocksedge)
“Jane Austen famously adored the countryside so what better birthday present could there be than to transform sketch’s iconic interiors into a quintessentially British garden? Visitors will step through our living archway of seasonal plants onto a garden path full of colour. Everything from the painted walls to the plant varieties chosen, draws inspiration from the Regency Era. We want guests to feel as though they are within Jane’s imagination as she pens her magical prose, and birdsong and pages of books will immerse them as they pass through the pergola. As they walk deeper into sketch, guests will have the opportunity to sit at Jane’s desk as her writing swirls around them, set against the backdrop of muralist Meg Boscowen’s beautiful landscape,” explained Autumn de Wilde, Director at Lucy Vail Floristry
“Sketch is the dream brief. They give us total creative freedom to let our imagination run wild—and that’s when the real magic happens. Our floral installations aren’t just pretty; they stop people in their tracks, spark conversation, and become part of the brand’s story through the content guests can’t help but share,” added Ricky Paul
“I am thrilled to be working with Sketch this year on The Lecture Room and Library, where we celebrate the whimsical spirit of Jane Austen. Inspired by the lilacs and purples of the existing interiors, we’ve crafted a breathtaking central wisteria tree, with its trunk made from fresh bark and moss, creating an organic foundation that echoes the charm of Austen’s world. Adorned with cascading lilac wisteria, this immersive floral installation captures the essence of an enchanting English garden, offering guests a truly magical experience that reflects both elegance and whimsy,” said Rob Van Helden
Sketch has also collaborated with Penguin on an exclusive, limited edition book of Pride & Prejudice and Emma.
