Deco Dreams: Bringing Gatsby to Life at Rudding Park
Deco Dreams: Bringing Gatsby to Life at Rudding Park
Client Overview
Rudding Park is a family-owned luxury hotel in Harrogate, set within 300 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland. Renowned for its elegant setting, five-star hospitality, and versatile venue hire, it hosts weddings, private celebrations, corporate events, charity balls, and its own in-house events.
The team at Rudding Park approached EPH Creative with a vision to transform their annual staff party into an unforgettable night of glamour and escapism.
The Brief
The concept? “A Night at the Gatsby Mansion”, to be inspired by the decadence and glamour of the 1920s. The client wanted immersive theming across multiple rooms, a grand entranceway, stylish lounge furniture, statement bar areas, and an interactive photo opportunity.
Our Approach
With a broad 1920s brief from the client, we were given creative freedom to interpret the theme, and design unique experiences for each space. Drawing inspiration from Art Deco style and the atmosphere of a Gatsby-style party, we developed a colour palette, created lounge areas, and introduced statement Art Deco-themed props, creating a layout that brought drama, elegance, and flair to the event.
Each room had its own mood:
- Library Casino Room: A speakeasy-inspired gentlemen’s lounge with dark tones and classic details.
- Blue Room Cocktail Lounge: Teal velvet, gold leaf canopy trees, flamingo lamps, and a fun cocktail-inspired photo op.
- Drawing Room: A softer, elegant look using blush pink and grey velvet with gold accents.
- Radcliffe Room (Main Space): The showstopper, with a black carpet and bulb-lit entranceway, led to an immersive, luxury setting showcasing statement velvet furniture in teal, blush, and black, a custom bar, Art Deco backdrop, silhouette panels, feathers, pearls, and dramatic lighting.
EPH delivered a full-service solution for Rudding Park, including design, detailed floorplans, lighting schemes and complete installation and de-rig, all seamlessly executed with our signature end-to-end support.
The Outcome
The final transformation delivered exactly what the client envisioned: a Gatsby-inspired escape filled with theatrical glamour and immersive styling. A luxurious colour palette of gold, teal, blush pink, and black was paired with Art Deco patterns, reflective surfaces, feathers, pearls, and velvet textures to capture the spirit of the Roaring Twenties.
Lighting was used strategically to highlight focal points, create atmosphere, and ensure every space was photo-ready and Instagrammable. Guests moved through distinctly themed areas, each carefully designed to transport them to a different corner of Gatsby’s fictional mansion.
160 guests attended and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Client Feedback
“Everyone was blown away by the styling. I kept hearing gasps of ‘WOW’ and ‘this theming is the BEST EVER’.”
“The spaces looked stunning and we have you and your team (who were exceptional) to thank. They were all incredibly professional, efficient, calm and solution driven. It was a real pleasure to work with them. The party was a huge success — needless to say, there will definitely be a few sore heads today!”
Rudding Park Events Team
Why it Worked
Having previously worked with Rudding Park, including on their New Year’s Eve celebrations, we were familiar with the venue and understood which colourways and layouts best complemented its interiors. This insight allowed us to design with confidence, tailoring each room to reflect the grandeur of Rudding Park, while incorporating fun, photogenic details.
We also introduced new stock, including teal velvet sofas, marble-top poseur tables, Art Deco cube seats, and gold palm trees. These additions have now joined the EPH collection, expanding our prop offering for future projects and enhancing both the sustainability and long-term value of the event.
What's Next
Our relationship with Rudding Park continues to grow. We’re already in early discussions for New Year’s Eve and corporate Christmas packages, and have secured a new client lead directly through their referral.
Ready to start planning a Gatsby inspired soiree?
Call our creative team on 01937 222 777 – we’re here to help.
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