Interior Design: WOW!house 2024 set to take place June 1 to July 4, at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, London

Mark your calendars for WOW!house 2024, the premier interior design event returning to Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, London, running from Monday, June 4th, to Thursday, July 4th. 

As excitement mounts for this annual extravaganza, organizers pledge to elevate the standard for inspiration. Visitors will be wowed by 19 distinct full-scale rooms and outdoor spaces emerge along the Design Avenue, spanning an expansive 500 square meters within the Centre. Each of these spaces, crafted by esteemed interior designers in collaboration with globally renowned design brands and suppliers, promises unparalleled creativity, say organisers.

Claire German, CEO of Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, expresses the mission of WOW!house 2024 succinctly, stating, “Our aim is to ignite a sense of wonder; to captivate and motivate by showcasing the extraordinary accomplishments achievable when our talented industry unites in such a bold and extraordinary manner.”

WOW!house 2024 will feature 19 rooms, including a collaboration between
The Rug Company and Ken Fulk who is acclaimed for his intricate interiors and conceptual spectacles that exude a remarkable flair for theatricality. With his inaugural collection for The Rug Company, Fulk (pictured above) pays homage to life's rituals. Each rug within the collection intricately captures the essence of art, music, nature, and introspection, transforming these inspirations into evocative motifs that adorn the fabric of his designs.
Photo by The Rug Company website.

Noteworthy among the highlights of WOW!house 2024 is the entrance foyer envisioned by Benedict Foley, incorporating fabrics and wallpaper from Zoffany, symbolizing a shared dedication to British craftsmanship and production. Drawing inspiration from Luchino Visconti's 1963 masterpiece "The Leopard," Foley evokes the ambiance of a 19th-century Risorgimento Sicilian palazzo, infused with the allure of Claudia Cardinale and Alain Delon. Additionally, Foley commissions a bespoke loop pile carpet from one of the few remaining highly skilled weavers in the UK, utilising British wool. Embracing the ethos of the Arts & Crafts movement, all elements of the room will find new life in an upcoming exhibition at Voysey House, Sanderson Design Group’s new UK headquarters, focusing on material integrity, historical inquiry, and a touch of whimsy. Foley asserts that good design should be referential, not reverential.

In another captivating collaboration, The Rug Company joins forces with designer Ken Fulk, renowned for his enchanting creations and a clientele that includes luminaries like Pharrell Williams, Gigi Hadid, and Dolce & Gabbana. The Dining Room, a product of their collaboration, draws inspiration from Fulk's design with The Rug Company, "A Life Reflected," inspired by the storytelling traditions of Delft and Azulejo tilework dating back to the 14th century. Set within a reinterpretation of William Morris' Green Dining Room at the V&A, the scene is set for a midsummer Sunday supper, celebrating individuality and the preservation of decorative arts traditions worldwide. Fulk describes the ambiance as that of a well-traveled Countess, regaling her younger artist admirers with tales of global adventures and unconventional romances, imbuing the space with an air of mystery and allure.

There will be a Jamb Primary Bedroom by Charlotte Fremantle and Will Fisher. Drawing inspiration from an exquisite Chippendale model, the focal point of this bedroom is a splendid four-poster bed adorned in 18th-century paisley fabric and delicate pleated linen skirts. The walls are enveloped in silk, gently tinted to a dusky rose hue.

Meanwhile, the House of Rohl Primary Bathroom, curated by Michaelis Boyd, promises a realm of enchantment and marvel. A hand-painted mural unfolds across four progressively intimate zones, where whimsical touches harmonize with the exquisite craftsmanship of House of Rohl’s fixtures, crafted in French brass and custom RAL colors, alongside a luxurious Victoria & Albert Taizu tub. The ambiance seamlessly intertwines elements of nature and culture with a refined sense of sophistication.

Step into the Colefax and Fowler Morning Room, where designer Lucy Hammond Giles, crowned House & Garden’s Interior Designer of the Year 2023, crafts an inviting sunlit haven. Adorned with walls cloaked in cheerful yellow Larsen linen and complemented by bespoke yellow curtains boasting couture intricacies, this space epitomizes the quintessential style of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, the UK's oldest interior decorating establishment.

Meanwhile, in the McKinnon and Harris Courtyard, designer Katharine Pooley transports visitors to a quintessentially British setting, reminiscent of a serene English garden in full summer bloom. At its heart stands a charming trellised tennis pavilion, offering a picturesque backdrop inspired by Wimbledon, perfectly accentuating the graceful contours of McKinnon and Harris' outdoor furniture collection.

Among the myriad of inspirational designs, there will be the Watts 1874 Legend Room envisioned by the esteemed Alidad, celebrated globally for his discerning eye for antiques and textiles. Additionally, be sure to explore the Dedar Salon crafted by Fosbury Architecture, renowned for their curation of the Italian Pavilion at the 2023 Venice Biennale of Architecture (Biennale Architettura 2023), brought to life by the collaborative efforts of Giacomo Ardesio, Alessandro Bonizzoni, Nicola Campri, Veronica Caprino, and Claudia Mainardi.   Also the Tissus d’Hélène Drawing Room by Guy Goodfellow, an enchanting realm where past and present converge seamlessly, infused with a delightful sense of whimsy and unexpected delights.

For more information on WOW!house and tickets, visit dcch.co.uk/wowhouse.