WOW! House has been running since 2022, dubbed the “Oscars of the design world” to celebrate creativity and philanthropy in interior design.
It reminds me of the Kips Bay show house concept that I have previously attended in New York.
There are 19 rooms in this year’s WOW! House. The show house is based in the Design Centre in Chelsea Harbour, London.
A group of rising star interior designers each worked with sponsors to style a room in the house.
This year’s WOW! House’s charity partner was United in Design (UID) founded by interior designers Sophie Ashby and Alexandria Dauley.
The mission of UID is to deliver an equal opportunity pathway into the interior design industry for ethnic minorities and those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
I thought I would show you a selection of my favourites:
At the front of the house is Zoffany’s entrance hall by Benedict Foley (image above shot by James Mc. Donald) showcasing English heritage and craftsmanship. Such an impactful entryway, don’t you think?
The room is inspired by a scene from Luchino Visconti’s 1963 film, The Leopard, with its collection of silk dresses in a damask draped room.
The brocade fabric from Zoffany is called ‘Long Gallery’ and the print dates back to mid 18th century.
The vibrant yellow ‘Wool Satin’ banquette, orange stool and checked loop pile carpet really pops well against the brocade backdrop.
This is the Courtyard bedroom by Veere Grenney associates for Schumacher.
There’s a clever and surprisingly harmonious interplay of geometrics and patterns between the ‘Woodman Check’ fabric on the bedroom walls and headboard area and the more maximalist ‘Suffolk’ fabric bed curtains.
The bedroom has both a classic and modern feel. Isn’t that brass and lucite side table lovely?
Martin Moore in collaboration with Studio Vero has designed this year’s WOW! house kitchen.
The kitchen with its pale solid wood units and green stone worktops manifests nature, whilst the curated pieces of art and decor by Studio Vero evokes cosy elegance.
Ken Fulk, a U.S based interior designer in collaboration with The Rug Company has designed this dining room.
I adore how ornate and opulent it looks.
The starting point for the dining room design revolved around a bespoke rug they created called “A Life Reflected” inspired by Delft storytelling and Azulejo tilework dating back to 14th Century.
Ken Fulk explains that “We then took the concept to new heights by setting it within our favourite dining room in London – William Morris’ Green Dining Room at the V&A Museum.”
These beautiful gold illustrated wallpaper (based on the rug theme) in the panel walls really caught my attention.
Here’s a close up view.
Last but not least, these gorgeous place settings caught my eye. They are by the ceramicist Linda Fahey.
Finally, this is the sitting room designed by Sophie Ashby for United In Design.
There are a mix of furniture pieces that she has designed herself and a collection of curated artisans on display.
The walls upholstered in fabric by Dedar are hung with photography by artists Lily Bertrand-Webb and Sridhar Balasubramaniyam.
I love that hugging sofa in green with the pops of colours from the cushions woven by textile artist Dalia James.
Hope you have enjoyed the post. There were so many amazing rooms and artists who I have not mentioned here. Do go take a look, it’s very inspiring and I believe is showcasing till July 4th 2024.
( All photography except for the first image is copyright of Geraldine Tan, editor of Little BigBell.)