sketch London: The Design Icon
The stand out designs of sketch, one of London's most artistic and creative collections of restaurants and bars that transport guests into magical worlds of design.
When it comes to incredible and characterful restaurant interior design there is one place that instantly comes to mind. Famed for their iconic egg toilets and luxuriously elegant pink gallery design, sketch has managed to carve out its very own niche, creating miniature worlds and experiences, all under one roof. With each interior space entirely different from the next, I take a look at the designs of the Gallery, Lecture Room, Parlour and Glade rooms whilst not forgetting the famous toilets either!
The Gallery
Designed by India Magdavi in 2014 as a backdrop for David Shrigley's 239 characterful artwork drawings, The gallery has quickly made a name for itself thanks to its soft monochromatic pink tones, rose gold finishes and contemporary take on a classic style. From the moment you walk into the space, it is as if you have been transported back in time. The luxurious elegance of the room contrasts beautifully with Shirgley's humorous black and white sketches. This mix of styles extenuates what sketch is about, both being able to stand firmly by themselves but creating something special when combined.
Egg Toilets
Anyone that has visited sketch would have been asked the classic question "did you visit the toilets!?" Once you have visited, you can understand why. The restaurant plays host to a collection of large white eggs, contained within a room that is accessed by a split curved staircase. Reflecting the colours of the stained glass ceiling, the eggs contain individual toilet cubicles, each with their own individual music and sound, creating a truly unforgettable and quite amusing experience. It is impressive to realise that the toilets alone attract visitors from across the globe. Every design and experience has been carefully thought out from the moment guests enter the restaurant to the second that they leave.
The Glade
Created by artists Carolyn Quartermaine and Didier Mahie, The Glade feels as if It has been taken straight out of a woodland fairy tale. This magical setting combines the delicate features of 50's rattan furniture with bold accessory print and traditional methods of decoration. The impressive wallpaper has been inspired by early 20th Century stationary, creating a découpage forest that has been printed onto hundreds of metres of wallpaper, hand-cut and then découpaged to the walls. A treasure chest of antique furniture and accessories, there is so much character and charm waiting to be discovered.
The Parlour
The Parlour continues the focus of traditional beauty, similar to the Gallery and Glade restaurants yet adds an eccentric twist to its surroundings through the use of bold print accessories, characterful antique lighting and quirky animal head portraits. The space is incredibly welcoming and uses rich tones and soft furnishings to make guests feel at home, perfect for sitting back, relaxing and enjoying a cocktail or two.
The Lecture Room & Library
Ascending the stairs from the main entrance will take you to the Lecture Room & Library, sketch's two Michelin starred gastronomic restaurants. Designed by Gahban O’Keeffe, this space yet again contrasts beautifully with the other restaurants and bars in the building. Surrounded by soft upholstery, plush rugs and even padded walls, the space has a serenity that surrounds its design. Rich ambers, reds and yellows fill the restaurant space, adding an exotic glamour whilst dazzling details such as the chair studs, swirling patterns on the rugs and large pendulous lanterns add drama and depth, creating a space that is individual and unique to the sketch brand.
