The Crown at Bray

The Crown at Bray — one of Berkshire’s most beloved and celebrated gastropubs — commissioned IVY CRUZ to create a stunning seasonal botanical installation that would complement the pub’s distinctive character and charm. The brief was to dress the historic building’s exterior in a way that felt both grand and in keeping with the venue’s rustic, refined identity.

Our team designed and installed two complementary botanical elements across the pub’s exterior. A sweeping full-width garland was dressed along the entire lintel of the main frontage, cascading down each side to form a natural arch over the entrance doorway. Rich with lush evergreen foliage, eucalyptus, dried blush hydrangeas, copper and burnt orange baubles, dried ferns, and clusters of citrus fruits — all interwoven with warm fairy lights — the garland created a dramatic yet elegant welcome that perfectly reflected the season.

A second full floral arch was installed around the bar entrance, adorned with the same rich palette of botanicals and warm lighting. The continuity between the two pieces created a cohesive, considered scheme that wrapped the pub in festive botanical splendour from multiple angles.

Bespoke topiary ball trees were positioned flanking the main entrance, adding architectural structure and a touch of formal elegance that balanced the lush abundance of the garland above. The overall effect was rich, organic, and artisan — a celebration of natural materials and seasonal beauty that felt entirely at home against the pub’s classic black-and-white timber-framed facade.

The installation drew immediate admiration from guests and passers-by alike, reinforcing The Crown at Bray’s reputation as a destination that takes every detail seriously — and confirming IVY CRUZ as the natural partner for venues that demand the very best in seasonal botanical design.