An evening with the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum
British Museum
A rare opportunity to host an event within the British Museum, with guests offered a private viewing of the Bayeux Tapestry. Taking inspiration from the tapestry itself, the Great Court became a canvas for rich colour, natural materials and layered texture, creating an evening worthy of an iconic venue and an iconic exhibition.
An evening with the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum
British Museum
A rare opportunity to host an event within the British Museum, with guests offered a private viewing of the Bayeux Tapestry. Taking inspiration from the tapestry itself, the Great Court became a canvas for rich colour, natural materials and layered texture, creating an evening worthy of an iconic venue and an iconic exhibition.
Hosting an event within the British Museum is a rare privilege, and the chance to offer guests a private viewing of the Bayeux Tapestry made this evening truly special. An iconic venue for an iconic exhibition, the occasion called for a design that respected its surroundings while still feeling warm, welcoming and celebratory.
The marble and stone of the Great Court provided the perfect backdrop, and we used it as a blank canvas on which to build colour and natural texture. Our inspiration came directly from the tapestry and the dyes used to create it. Rich red linen hung in long, flowing lengths from the food stations, adding movement and a deep, rich colour to the space, while green and yellow florals were placed throughout, softening the architecture and echoing the tones of the historic textile. Velvet furniture in deep, rich shades created inviting seating areas, giving guests places to pause, gather and reflect on what they had seen as well as network.
The detail went further still. The back bar was shaped to mimic marks found within the tapestry, while the linen of the staff uniforms and even the texture of the lamps were drawn from the same source. These references were subtle rather than literal ensuring the overall look remained elegant and cohesive.
Equally important was what guests couldn’t see. We spent as much time refining the floorplan as we did on the styling, making sure the space worked for the large numbers attending and that guests could move easily between the exhibition, the food stations and the seating areas. The result was an evening that flowed naturally, with the design and the logistics working in harmony.
Overall, the event brought together history, craft and hospitality in one of London’s most celebrated cultural settings. It was a hugely rewarding project to work on, made all the better by an incredible client team and fantastic suppliers.
Photography by Camilla Arnhold
An evening with the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum
British Museum
Hosting an event within the British Museum is a rare privilege, and the chance to offer guests a private viewing of the Bayeux Tapestry made this evening truly special. An iconic venue for an iconic exhibition, the occasion called for a design that respected its surroundings while still feeling warm, welcoming and celebratory.
The marble and stone of the Great Court provided the perfect backdrop, and we used it as a blank canvas on which to build colour and natural texture. Our inspiration came directly from the tapestry and the dyes used to create it. Rich red linen hung in long, flowing lengths from the food stations, adding movement and a deep, rich colour to the space, while green and yellow florals were placed throughout, softening the architecture and echoing the tones of the historic textile. Velvet furniture in deep, rich shades created inviting seating areas, giving guests places to pause, gather and reflect on what they had seen as well as network.
The detail went further still. The back bar was shaped to mimic marks found within the tapestry, while the linen of the staff uniforms and even the texture of the lamps were drawn from the same source. These references were subtle rather than literal ensuring the overall look remained elegant and cohesive.
Equally important was what guests couldn’t see. We spent as much time refining the floorplan as we did on the styling, making sure the space worked for the large numbers attending and that guests could move easily between the exhibition, the food stations and the seating areas. The result was an evening that flowed naturally, with the design and the logistics working in harmony.
Overall, the event brought together history, craft and hospitality in one of London’s most celebrated cultural settings. It was a hugely rewarding project to work on, made all the better by an incredible client team and fantastic suppliers.
Photography by Camilla Arnhold
