We were commissioned to design and create giant plant installations for an exhibition stand at Glee garden and outdoor living show at the NEC in Birmingham. We used a combination of photographic and printing techniques along with hand made plant structures and painstakingly finished flowers and leaves. The finished plants were mounted into custom made display stands/planters – these were designed to showcase the range of products available.
Valentines heart displays
We were delighted when Fortnum and Mason asked us to produce these giant Valentine’s Day hearts for their windows. They were based on a beautiful new heart shaped chocolate box design. After we created the giant free-standing heart shapes, we added intricate 3D gold metal details and panels. We are in love with the finished result! See the video of us adding the details here.
Fortnum and Mason Christmas atrium
Using reference images from Fortnum & Mason packaging, we created 3D birds, crowns and clocks. The clocks were double sided and finished in gold leaf with working hands. All the birds, clocks and crowns were suspended in the atrium along with strings of acrylic presents.
Giant wallpaper flowers
We created these beautiful giant flowers for the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour around the time of Chelsea flower show. Made from carefully selected selections of wallpapers, the flowers stood tall in the atrium. The delphinium towered up to 4m tall!
Fortnum and Mason flying teacups
Leading up to the teas department, this flock of beautiful golden winged teacups was installed in the stairwell of Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly. The wings were individually cast and then decorated with gold leaf to give a bright metallic effect.
Giant paper flowers
We designed and produced these giant paper flowers to a very tight deadline – we had just one week . These were made entirely from scratch using a variety of techniques – including laser cutting, paper engineering, pattern cutting and quilling.
Topiary make-up
These oversize lipsticks, eyeshadow and compact were made using hundreds of roses and box hedging.
Liberty Ab Fab atrium
For the launch of Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, we created this display of giant glittered ‘Ab Fab’ letters. These were hung in the Liberty central atrium below a huge 5m ring supporting pink slash curtain and shimmer discs. It looks fabulous Sweetie!
Circus Themed Event
This spectacular circus themed event was set in a real big top. Our task was to fill the space with traditional circus imagery and props. Naturally, the central focus of the event was the circus ring – we created a painted floor complete with curved blocks around the edge. The walls were hung with oversize scenic painted circus posters and clown portraits and the stage was flanked by a pair of hand painted circus wagons. The table decorations featured carved horses, seals and poodles covered in flowers, as well as plenty of feathered plumes. We have many circus props available for hire – please browse them here.
Liberty New Year windows 2016
For the New Year Liberty windows, we worked with Liberty and Gus & Stella to produce this vibrant explosion of colourful Liberty prints. We created props incorporating movement and screens to showcase Gus & Stella’s animations. Three props used motorised elements – an oscillating tie and oven glove and a lady with a spinning bow on her dress. It all added up to a bright and vibrant start to the year!
Urban Warehouse
Our brief for this private special event was to create a New York style graffiti/warehouse theme.
The event was based in a marquee, so we created huge brickwork panels painted with colourful graffiti. UV reactive paints were used for much of the graffiti, so as soon as the UV lighting came on, the effect was eye popping! The warehouse theme was further enhanced by an entrance built from reclaimed corrugated iron and carved polystyrene girders suspended from the ceiling. Huge aluminium air conditioning ducting ran the length of the roof of the marquee – smoke was pumped through this during the event.
Liberty light installation – Christmas 2015
For Christmas 2015, we created a spectacular illuminated installation in the Liberty central atrium. From the top of our central pole, beautiful 10m long strips of metallic Liberty fabric were interspersed with over 400 metres of lights. The strips and lights dropped down 3 floors from the top of the pole. A specially made 5m aluminium ring was suspended at the bottom of the installation. The strips and lights were attached to the ring and carefully adjusted to create a pleasing outward and upward swoop.
Giant Sprouts
These giant sprouts were used for the John Lewis Christmas press show 2015. We made a huge wooden chopping board as a podium and added our oversize knife prop to complete the scene. People attending the show had great fun posing with the giant sprouts. People either love or hate sprouts – but we think they loved these!
Liberty Christmas 2014
For the Liberty Christmas scheme, we designed and made a 16.7m tall ships mast in the central atrium. This huge structure was made in several sections and had to be assembled on site with the help of a team of abseilers. Liberty print sails were rigged from the three yardarms and a gift filled crows nest featured at the top. The wood finish was carefully matched to the timbers in the building. Copper leaf decoration was used extensively throughout the mast – this complemented our large handmade replica Liberty coins strung on the mast and throughout the store. To continue the ship theme, we designed and created hundreds of copper and Liberty print sailing ships to be hung from the ceilings on the ground floor. We are delighted to say that this project was a finalist in the VM & Display awards 2015 – Best Christmas Interior.
John Lewis Oxford Street installations
As part of the refurbishment of the lighting department in John Lewis Oxford Street, we designed and created two installations. Firstly, we created a faux white brick wall with the skyline of London ‘drawn’ in electrical cable and fittings. Measuring approx. 4.5m x 3m, this wall creates a striking entrance to the department. The second installation was to create a chandelier of lightbulbs – some lit and some not. The chandelier is suspended from the ceiling in the lighting department. As well as displaying the products effectively, it is a wonderful focal point.
Liberty 140th Anniversary Maypole
To celebrate the 140th anniversary of Liberty in May 2015, we designed and created a spectacular 16m tall maypole. The giant Liberty print ribbons radiated out from just below a huge floral display and down to 3 floors below. A vast array of Liberty fabrics were used for the ribbons – around 1 for each of the 140 years. This huge structure was made in several sections and had to be assembled on site overnight with the help of a team of abseilers.
Atrium – Christmas Cones
We designed and prototyped these cone shaped decorations for John Lewis. The density of the dot print on the cones graduated throughout the drop. So, the base of the installation looked darker than the top.
Liberty London Fashion Week windows
These abstract terrarium frames with clear perspex panels were individually designed and made to fit the Liberty windows. Paired with the Liberty prints and fashion, they completed a botanical look for London Fashion Week 2015.
Paper Screens
We produced around 100 of these paper screens for the spring/summer scheme for every John Lewis department store. The screen printed loops of card and plastics inspired other projects – such as the hanging decorations and floorstanding ‘plants’.
Russian Themed Event
This Russian themed event featured a large set depicting the domes of St. Basils Cathedral in Moscow. Measuring 5m tall and built in layers to create a three dimensional effect, the set was an imposing feature.
Modular Structure
This structure of geometric shapes was designed to fit over a dining table & chairs. To give a glow of light around the dining table, led lights were hidden within parts of the structure.
Creative Room Sets
We have created many room sets in all kinds of styles for product launches and press events.
Here is a selection of sets which feature some more creative elements – such as reclaimed materials, textured walls and special paint effects.
Samsung Spaceship
We designed and built this internally lit structure to showcase Samsung’s exciting new and innovative products at a press event. The structure was made up of ribs with a lycra covering stretched over the top. Between the ribs and in the centre, shelves and desk areas were added for product display and demonstration. A floor with built in lighting was used to complete the effect.
UV Fish
Suspended in the ceiling of a blacked out marquee, these huge colourful fish looked amazing under the ultraviolet lighting. Each fish was individually designed and carved before finishing in uv reactive paints. See a fish being painted here.
Parisian Hotel Event
Our brief for this private event was to transform an old farm building into a lavish hotel dining room and nightclub. We styled the sets on the Hotel Costes in Paris – incorporating distinctive architectural detail and decorative detailing to achieve the desired effect. The dividing wall across the barn was beautifully finished on both sides and features two working sets of double doors.
The main feature of the bar/nightclub area was a fully functioning bar and back bar in black walnut veneers and aged mirror panels.
Moulin Rouge Burlesque Event
This burlesque event required a powerful centrepiece to the stage. So, we designed and made a large 3D windmill complete with internal lighting and the detailing picked out in small red lights. We have many Moulin Rouge props available for hire – please browse them here.
Gifting Event
This press event was designed to showcase special products for Christmas. Each area focused on one of the five senses. So, for example, the large white rubik’s cube (touch) room features different textures on each panel, the coffee crate room (taste) was set up as a pop up coffee bar, the lycra clad ‘candle’ (smell) featured shelves inside with scented candles displayed on them.
Atrium – Spring Flowers
These drops of beautiful spring flowers were used in 4 branches of John Lewis (including Peter Jones in Sloane Square). Each of the large flowers was hand made and painted before being carefully strung in a designed sequence.
Giant Chandelier
Measuring 6 metres across, this colossal chandelier was made as the centrepiece for a private event in Guernsey. At the design stage, we had ensure that it could be broken down enough to be easily shipped out. Once on site, the structure was dressed with thousands of acrylic jewels and silk flame lamps.
Atrium – Abstract Installation
These wedge shapes were interpreted in all sorts of ways – some thought they resembled flocks of seagulls, whilst others imagined grass cuttings flying out of a lawnmower.
After we had designed and made the pattern for the wedge shapes, they were vacuum formed in white or clear material. Some were then coloured green. Finally, they were then strung carefully following a pre-designed arrangement before hanging in store.
Atrium – Christmas Mistletoe
We designed the green mistletoe decoration after being inspired by the way this plant grows on trees. The mistletoe attaches itself to the tree and grows outwards, forming a spherical mass of intertwined foliage. We thought this shape would be perfect as a Christmas decoration and would work beautifully when hung with traditional Christmas baubles. After designing and prototyping this decoration, we worked on the configuration of baubles and mistletoe for the final hangings.
Space Themed Event
These large UV reactive alien plants were used as part of a children’s space themed event in the City of London. The event started on the deck of a spaceship with backlit flight consoles etc. During the event the ‘spaceship’ landed and large folding doors opened to reveal dry ice rolling across the surface of an alien planet. The whole area was darkened and alien plants, space rocks & craters glowed eerily in the UV light.
John Lewis Christmas shop
For the last few years we have created the entrances and display areas for the John Lewis Oxford Street Christmas shop. All the elements are bespoke and we have used a wide array of techniques from paint effects to poly carving and laser cutting.
Barbara Hepworth replica sculpture
In celebration of John Lewis’ 150th anniversary, we were commissioned to make a sculpture based on the iconic Barbara Hepworth ‘Winged figure’. The original sculpture takes pride of place above the entrance of John Lewis Oxford street. Our version was displayed in the Oxford Street windows. To recreate the aluminium finish of the original, we used a lightweight aluminium composite material. We criss-crossed steel rods through our sculpture to complete the look.
White Product Installation
To mark the launch of the food hall in John Lewis Oxford Street, we designed and created these displays of white products. After designing the layout, each bottle, jar, box and tin had to be sprayed white and then arranged in the custom made shelving on site.
Mini houses
We created over 140 miniature houses for the ‘What? House’ awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel. Each table decoration was unique – with hand cut windows and doors, mosaic tiled roofs and coloured lights inside.
Atrium – Spring Shapes
These oriental style geometric shapes were ‘skewered’ onto black bamboo effect poles before being suspended in many John Lewis stores.