For the Christmas period this year, the Mill’s London studio has been transformed into an Après Ski Lodge complete with snow, wood burning stoves, log piles, Christmas trees and (naturally) skis thanks to set designer and prop maker, Scarlet Winter, with whom The Mill has worked previously on festive decorations. A six foot “Selfie bear” and reindeer, alongside a number of other winter wonderland props also stand in Reception greeting all visitors. Bespoke vinyl wraps were also created, with an Alpine scene stretching across all the windows in the fifth floor loft and a log print design covers the reception desk and bar.
The Mill’s London studio has been transformed into an Après Ski Lodge complete with snow, wood burning stoves, log piles and Christmas trees
The festive decorations were accompanied by themed treats: branded m&ms and miniature candy canes, alongside winter warmers such as Gingerbread and Spiced Pumpkin Lattes and Mulled Wine have been added to the drinks menu. Clients are also being given specially designed advent calendars, complete with chocolates, which feature the façade of the London office.
The aptly named Winter said of her approach: “I wanted to use the Alpine theme to create a playful yet chic immersive environment. I sourced vintage props and prints to create a nostalgic atmosphere using impactful larger elements, but also smaller details to draw you in like old photos of family skiing holidays and small alpine trinkets that I collected in the weeks before the installation. Downstairs has a lot of playful elements, with the ‘selfie’ bear and reindeer, whilst we kept upstairs more homely with lots of familiar items like the vintage postcards. I spent the weeks leading up to the installation sourcing vintage props and prints to help create a nostalgic atmosphere. It was really important to me that people felt as if they were walking into someone’s home when they got up to the Loft, it was intended to be quite an immersive installation.”
It was created by set designer Scarlet Winter, who also works in a number of different areas, from events to PR branding, to film and photo shoots
Scarlet Winter is a set designer by trade, who also works in a number of different areas, from events to PR branding, to film and photo shoots. Other recent projects she's been involved with include the “Blueprint Live” event for Facebook, which toured all around the world and involved her making a lot of props and interactive furniture herself. Last week, meanwhile, analogue photography magazine Pylot recently featured a shoot called “In the Court of the Crimson King,” that she worked on as part of a new relationship with a group she says she hopes to collaborate with more in the future.
Additionally, for the third year running, The Mill will be hosting a Christmas Fair this coming Thursday (December 10) as they open their doors to clients, friends and family to do their Christmas shopping, enjoy festive food and drink and treat themselves to free nail art, perfume mixing, beard trims and eyelash/brow appointments.
