1920’s Cocktail Party

The finished space at Somerset House, a circular cream banquette beneath a white hydrangea ball, cabaret dancer panels lit along the walls.

Case study

1920’s Cocktail Party

Art Deco at Somerset House, a speakeasy built behind bespoke graphic artwork.

Client

Aon plc

Venue

Somerset House

Discipline

Graphic Design · Production Design

For those of you who are as obsessed with the Art Deco period as we are you will appreciate our excitement at being asked to produce a unique 1920’s cocktail party.

We hosted this party at Somerset House, transporting our guests back to the glorious 20’s, creating a party that was full of glamour and sophistication. This experience was the perfect occasion to show our design flair, introducing bespoke graphic artwork as the main feature to the backdrop for the party.

The Drawing First

Every surface began on paper. The visual below is the space drawn before anything was made, the dancer panels and the bar set where they would stand.

Christopher's drawn design visual of the whole space, the dancer panels and bar set out in elevation.
The same space empty before the build, bare floor and arched alcoves.
The circular banquette in place with the flower ball above it and the dancer panels lit behind.

A Speakeasy, Overlooked By Dancers

We created a 1920’s speakeasy overlooked by beautiful vinyl cabaret dancers adorned with feathers with high kicking legs. Drawing inspiration from the eleganza and known colour palette associated with the Art Deco era, we ensured the room had a warm, sophisticated glow, whilst remaining vibrant and fun.

A cabaret dancer in silhouette, one leg kicked high, inside a stepped Art Deco frame.
A cabaret dancer in silhouette, hand on hip beneath a feathered fan headdress, inside a stepped Art Deco frame.

The Bar, Before And After

To frame our beautiful dancers, we created further designs based around associated symbols and patterns closely associated with this decorative part of history, which were mounted as a backdrop to the bar, as seen in this before and after.

Christopher's drawn design visual of the bar elevation, the Deco columns set either side.
The finished curved bar, glassware set out, the Deco column artwork mounted behind it.

The Column Designs

The columns were drawn, coloured and then built. These are the artworks and the pencil sheet they came from.

Art Deco column artwork, a salmon and green fan opening at the top of a stepped shaft, set whole on cream.
Art Deco column artwork, an orange fan above a green outlined shaft, set whole on cream.
A gold on black sign reading TIME TO DRINK CHAMPAGNE AND DANCE ON THE TABLE.
A vintage chrome microphone against a pale ground.

Softening It

To soften the room we introduced subtle floral design, soft furnishings and tables in the 1920’s style. The room felt classic, fully immersive and full of party spirit.

Christopher's pencil and watercolour drawing of urns, flowers and table objects.
A white hydrangea ball on the banquette, a dancer panel lit behind it.
The hydrangea ball seen wider, the cream banquette curving away beneath it.

Champagne, Treats And A String Quartet

Guests were entertained by a string quartet provided by the London Philharmonia Orchestra, whilst sipping champagne and eating an array of delightful treats inspired by the 1920’s.

A bowl of food set on the table, shot close.
A canape set on a square white plate.
Green glass coupes filled and set out in a row.
A violinist of the string quartet playing, the Deco artwork behind her.
The string quartet playing, four players seated before the arched alcoves.
The string quartet seen wider, the room glowing amber around them.
Open sheet music on a stand, the title LET'S DO IT legible across the top.
Christopher's pencil sheet of the Deco column designs, several schemes worked up side by side, set whole on cream.
Christopher's drawn gramophone, the horn opening wide above a wooden case.

Somerset House is one of many. If you have a building in mind, or none at all, we will build the world into it.

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The world behind this party

The finished space at Somerset House, a circular cream banquette beneath a white hydrangea ball, cabaret dancer panels lit along the walls.

Immersive High Society Worlds

Glamour, sophistication and a speakeasy built behind bespoke artwork at Somerset House.

And then

A stage lit in amber with the crowd in the foreground at the War Child Wassail.

The Wassails, With War Child UK

From a party to a purpose. Eleven years of a concert and a feast raising funds for children living through war.

Shall we build you one?

Tell us the period, the place or just the feeling. We will draw it first, then make it.

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