London may feel far removed from the honeyed and wholesome world of A. A. Milne's Hundred Acre Wood. Luckily, the well-loved Mayfair haunt Sketch has brought a touch of that childhood magic right to our doorstop in a grand celebration of 100 years of Winnie the Pooh.
When Pooh asks "Did you ever think how it must feel to be a flower living underground all winter, then coming up in the spring?" we know exactly what it feels like. It's stepping off the grey, polished pavements of Mayfair and into a woodland oasis. Sketch lends itself to these magical metamorphoses; each room offers an aesthetic journey in itself as they are loosely bound together by neoclassical, often surprising interiors. Of course, no trip to Sketch is complete without visiting the unforgettable pod loos.
Sketch began this annual series 12 years ago to establish themselves as a 'destination for experimentation'. Since then, it has celebrated authors, artists and even whole institutions with large-scale floral arrangements spanning the length and breadth of the building. This year, they are celebrating 100 years since the first publication of 'Winnie the Pooh'. Illustrations from the books are nostalgic for both the old and young, and this humble bear has muttered words of such profound philosophy that you'll find him quoted anywhere and everywhere.
To honour this wonderful legacy, Sketch has invited the very best florists from all over the world to create a floricultural tribute to the books and to A. A. Milne himself. As we know, at Sketch things don't happen by halves; a special programme of food, drink and workshops will run throughout the installation period. As part of the seasonal offering, Sketch's celebrated afternoon tea, served in The Gallery, will feature special additions inspired by the installation, including a playful honey pot that nods to one of the most enduring motifs in the world of A. A. Milne.
It's possible to walk in and take a look at this installation, but the best way to experience Sketch in bloom is by booking for dinner or drinks. Book here to find out how it feels to be a 'flower living underground all winter, then coming up in the spring'.