Last week, on the 9th August, we marked National Bowling Day with the clatter of pins and plenty of cheer. At our Design Studio, bowling brings to mind neon-lit alleys, retro shoes, strikes galore and a playful twist of colour.
Bowling has been enjoyed for over 5,000 years, beginning with ancient Egyptians rolling stones at pins carved from wood. The game evolved across Europe before becoming a staple of American culture in the 20th century. Today, it stands as a symbol of nostalgic fun, friendly competition and unexpectedly, design inspiration.
Beneath Ham Yard Hotel lies The Croc, a spectacular private event space where we reimagine the classic bowling alley as a design wonderland. Imported from Texas, the vintage 1950s bowling lanes are as much a feast for the eyes as they are for those chasing a spare. Tucked underground just past the spa, The Croc is named after the three gigantic driftwood crocodiles mounted on the wall, guarding the dance floor. Discovered by Kit on her travels and brought back to London, these striking creatures set the tone for this one-of-a-kind space in the heart of the city.
In true Firmdale fashion, we fill the space with art, colour and craft. As you enter, vintage bowling shoes, gathered from eBay over a year and a half, are displayed in perspex boxes, forming a striking wall installation. Each pair is different, with its own quirks and colours, transformed from something forgotten into something fabulous.
Elsewhere, antique bowling pins are upcycled into sculptural table lamps, while backlit bowling balls add a soft glow to the scene. Bowlers aim for a suspended brick wall with flickering lights, while UV shoelaces and pins bring an unexpected pop of drama.
The interiors are full of fun and thoughtful touches. A South African-made sofa is covered in a large-scale pictorial fabric, and one wall is upholstered in a playful Pierre Frey linen printed with a zoomorphic mask design inspired by African art. Colourful leather booths add a retro feel, while hidden animals appliquéd onto the chairs bring the space to life and tie all the fabrics together.
Two oversized Howard Hodgkin artworks, one in bold blue and the other in deep red, anchor the room and give it a gallery-like feel. Titled “As Time Goes By”, they are filled with fabulous colours and expressive splodges, adding bursts of energy and movement to the space.
At The Croc, we love turning something simple into something special, because when it comes to design and bowling, it is the bold moves that stand out.