From June 4 to July 4, 2024, the Design Centre in Chelsea Harbour, London—a dedicated hub for upmarket interior design inspiration and home to high-end showrooms and design studios— plays host to the annual WOW!house event. This premier showcase of interior design creativity promises to "wow" both professionals and enthusiasts alike.
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| Visitors to Design Centre are greeted with a display of spring flowers. |
This marks the third annual WOW!house event, a project conceived during the first COVID lockdown in the UK. According to Clare German, CEO of the Design Centre, she has been humbled by the achievements over the past three years. "WOW!house has united our global design community, sparking conversations, building relationships, sharing knowledge, championing creativity, and supporting the charitable causes at its heart. None of this could have happened without the dedication and hard work of everyone involved, from the steering committee and my team here at the Design Centre to the generous sponsors and exceptional designers and suppliers behind the rooms; the talent and creativity of the 'WOWzers' never cease to amaze us." The project's success was recognized with the Spotlight Award at this year's House & Garden awards.
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| Tissus D'Helene Drawing Room by Guy Goodfellow |
The highlight of the event is a unique "showhouse" spanning 500 square meters, specially constructed within the Centre's Design Avenue. This WOW!house features 19 full-size rooms and outdoor spaces, each uniquely designed by world-class interior designers in collaboration with globally recognized brands and top-tier suppliers. The designers drew inspiration from all corners of the world, incorporating a myriad of influences to create a harmonious and cohesive showcase. Each designer had free rein to work their magic, paying meticulous attention to every detail, from flooring and wall coverings to fabric textures, colours, furniture, lighting, and accessories. Even the soundscape and scents of each room have been carefully curated to provide a comprehensive sensory experience for visitors.
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| Zoffany in Entrance Hall space. |
Greeting visitors in the entrance hall space is a dramatic display of interior brand Zoffany’s craft and provenance, woven into a narrative inspired by a 1963 epic historical drama film The Leopard directed by Luchino Visconti, which won the Palme d'Or at the 1963 Cannes Film Festival. Displaying his keen eye for innovation and a deep appreciation for tradition, designer
Benedict Foley’s work offers a fresh perspective on heritage design that sharply examines sustainability through the lens of luxury. Benedict says, “This room places Zoffany’s product front and centre, highlighting its contributions to UK manufacturing while celebrating the craftsmanship of the fabric mills. With a focus on material integrity and historical research, my work draws inspiration from various visual arts references, weaving them together with a touch of humour. My work is detailed and source based but ultimately it’s about the viewer’s enjoyment!”
Also added to greet customers at the entrance to WOW!house is Jennifer Manners' "Secret Garden" rug, which was inspired by "the surrealism of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, where overscaled bees, bugs and butterflies flit between exotic flowers, all set on a background of a meandering Greek key motif." The rug features a kaleidoscope of colours, patterns and textures and a sense of fairytale, with a sense of fun. Manners adds. “I wanted to create a super-sized visual sensory experience that both surprises and delights, much like Alice’s discovery of the garden in Lewis Carroll’s book.”
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| WATTS 1874 Legend Room by Alidad |
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| The Rug Company Dining Room by Ken Fulk |
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| Zimmer+Rohde Bedroom Suite by Tolu Adeko |
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| Jamb London Primary Bedroom by Charlotte Freemantle and Will Fisher |
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| Martin Moore Kitchen with Studio Vero |
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| Summit Terrace by Fernando Wong |
Ticketed visitors will have the opportunity throughout the month to immerse themselves in the storytelling of each room, drawing inspiration from the wealth of ideas and details for their future interior projects.
Additionally, there will be daily guided tours of WOW!house, free weekly Design Discovery Tours of the wider showrooms, and a talks programme featuring many of the WOW!house room designers.
To take a peak at each of the 19 "rooms" and read about the stories behind the spaces, click HERE.
The Design Centre's 130+ showrooms also welcome ticketed visitors, offering a treasure trove of creativity and expertise. covering a vast array of products including fabrics, wall coverings, furniture, lighting, accessories, kitchens, bathrooms, and more.
The Design Centre's 130+ showrooms welcome ticketed visitors, offering a treasure trove of creativity, inspiration, and expertise.
These showrooms cover a vast array of products, including fabrics, wall coverings, rugs and floor treatments, furniture, lighting, accessories, kitchens, bathrooms, and more.
As a dedicated space for luxury interiors and design, the Design Centre is renowned for its distinctive architectural style, featuring modern and elegant structures with a focus on natural light. The main building is designed around a central atrium that allows natural light to permeate the space, creating an inviting and inspiring environment for visitors.
Built as part of a broader regeneration project for the Chelsea Harbour area, which was previously a commercial dock, the Centre is now a premier destination for sourcing the latest and highest quality products and gaining insight into emerging design trends. It is internationally recognized as one of the leading design destinations in the world.
To find more about WOW!House 2024 and its programmes, click HERE.
All Photos by Lucia Carpio
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