With flawless British efficiency—and modesty to a fault—Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour’s Wow!house has stealthily claimed the crown as the yearly seer of interior style and craftsmanship for not only its European neighbors, but also global trend hunters as far-flung as the Far East, Africa and the United States. Striking a balance between America’s manufacturing-focused conventions and the high-concept furniture fairs of Italy and France, London’s monthlong summertime event is everyone’s cup of tea. And for its fourth iteration, taking place from June 3 to July 3, the creative synergy between designers and brands is more intertwined and impactful than ever.
“Discovery happens here on a daily basis, with interior designers and architects working hand in hand with individual artisans and international labels to produce magic,” says Claire German, CEO of DCCH. “The level of bespoke collaboration is astounding.” Showcasing the diverse range of talent and resources accessible at the center year-round, the 2025 Wow!house will emphasize surprising material juxtapositions and the significance of art, from cherished heirlooms and prized antiques to contemporary collectibles. The new Curator’s Room is just one of the spaces demonstrating the direction. “Driven by a passion to inject visibility, voice and value into women’s work, this intentional interior exclusively features pieces by female creatives,” says German.
As the days count down to Wow!house’s debut, a cross-section of its designers found a moment to discuss the different partnerships supporting their rooms-in-progress, sharing renderings and sketches. To experience all 22 boundary-breaking spaces in person—and explore the over 130 showrooms and 600-plus brands housed at Chelsea Harbour—make your plans now. With twice-daily tours, an extensive program of talks, immersive activations and more, London is waiting to welcome you into this one-of-a-kind world.
NUCLEUS MEDIA ROOM
“Each piece in the media room starts with a narrative: We ask, How does it complement the space and our ‘Date Night’ theme while also commanding its own moment in the spotlight? Color, pattern, materiality and shape are all considered, with each unique element in conversation with the others. We have the pleasure of working with DCCH vendors Porta Romana, Holland & Sherry, and Julian Chichester. From meetings to sketches and samples, the process is one hundred percent collaborative—no ego. We listen to all voices and work closely with each maker to achieve our collective aim. Porta Romana has created a custom floor lamp inspired by a sculpture I saw at Frieze last year. It consists of over 100 handmade steel plates—we were fortunate enough to visit the forge and witness its production. It makes a remarkable statement. Meanwhile, Holland & Sherry generously invited me to design a custom rug woven with its new mélange wool. The piece is hugely personal: It features the story arc of my family. With Julian Chichester, I designed a curved, 3.5-meter-long [11.5-foot-long], deco-inspired sofa. It puts the wow in the space, and I can’t wait to lounge on it.” —Alex Dauley
PHILLIP JEFFRIES STUDY
“I design equally with head and heart. My head is led by my Scandinavian design philosophy. My heart is with the client, anticipating how they will respond. At the Wow!house, I get to step into their shoes, designing with myself as the client, and the design community I admire as the audience. It’s a unique opportunity to push beyond my comfort zone and with a limited budget, footprint and timeframe. I jumped at the challenge to alchemize constraints into creativity. The home study we’ve envisioned is functional and inspiring—a sanctuary for productivity and relaxation. It’s a place to think, create, dream and unwind. The red thread connecting this restorative retreat is ‘functional sculpture,’ with each piece in the room—be it furniture, lighting or architectural detail—thoughtfully designed to serve its purpose while also standing as a work of art. We are playing with the powerful impact of organic forms in metal, wood, glass, stone and leather. For both the boldness and bravery of its designs and the rigorous quality of its papers and fabrics, Phillip Jeffries brings an unparalleled level of craftsmanship and luxury to the room. Renowned for its textures, finishes and innovative use of natural materials, its Modern Muse wallcovering elevates the study, weaving every detail together into an unforgettable experience. Its tactile 2D pattern presents a striking contrast to the 3D forms around it, including the sculptural Ursa Minor ceiling sconce by Lasvit and the fluid curves of the Bean desk by Ceccotti. Carefully curated artwork enhances this conversation, contributing to a cohesive flow.” —Staffan Tollgård
STARK ‘THE CURATOR’S ROOM’
“Inspired by the books Ninth Street Women and The Story of Art Without Men, we’re collaborating with Stark to create two stylish and meaningful rugs that honor women’s contributions to art and design. To walk across them is to move through a story of strength, resilience and clarity. The process begins in our studio with sketchbooks and iPads, abstracting emotions, references and words into motifs. With Stark, we discuss materials, constructions and weaving techniques. We’re exploring natural yarns such as pure alpaca, wool, hemp, cactus linen and silk—chosen not just for their beauty and durability, but for how they echo the palette and textures of the space. Sampling is iterative. We might start with a single knotting test to ensure we’re all in alignment before moving forward. CAD renderings become the blueprint for the weavers: These pieces are not machine-made. Every rug is woven by hand, knot by knot, with intention and reverence by artisans whose skill and patience bring the design to life with precision and soul. It’s a slow undertaking that makes the rugs truly special. The Tribute rug names 87 women artists, past and present—a symbolic gesture of creative lineage; a whispered acknowledgment of those whose voices continue to shape our cultural landscape. Like every element in the room, the rugs embody a sense of quiet elegance. Their minimal aesthetic sits in deliberate contrast to the complexity of the construction, and their palette reflects and reinforces the timber, bronze and stone, serving as a grounding feature and fostering a harmonious visual dialogue. More than decorative objects, these rugs are an extension of the room’s ethos: deeply narrative, collaborative and made with care.” —Brigitta Spinocchia Freund
HOUSE OF ROHL PRIMARY BATHROOM
“Guided by the principles of reflection, ritual and reverie, our bathroom design captures the essence of ancient traditions while incorporating modern influences. Reflection transforms the space into a hidden oasis, a place for contemplation. Ritual honors the timeless practices of cleansing and bathing, with light and shadow adding mystery and depth. And reverie weaves cultural and historical narratives into the tableau, evoking traditional hammams and featuring tactile materials, distinctive patterns and artisanal furnishings. Rammed-earth clay walls, hand-cut and -fired clay tiles from Vietnam, and fossilized stone from Durham, England, come together, further enhanced by atmospheric lighting, carefully curated accent furniture and custom brassware manufactured in the U.K. We were drawn to House of Rohl’s Seros collection as the hero of our design. A unique collaboration between the Victoria and Albert Museum and British sculptor Sophie-Elizabeth Thompson, Seros speaks to the energy and movement of water through its fluid, organic forms. The Seros freestanding bath makes a beautiful centerpiece, its sculptural linework embodying how art and craftsmanship can merge to create spectacular interior spaces. Designed to be mounted on a countertop or vanity, the Seros vessel basin echoes the shape of the bath. We’ve placed it as a statement piece on bespoke, solid bronze, wet-vanity units that frame the shower. Having worked with House of Rohl on several successful projects, we knew that we shared the same values: attention to detail, exceptional craftsmanship and a deep appreciation for storytelling.” —Paris Albert and Alisa Connery, 1508 London
SAMUEL HEATH BATHROOM
“Bold, rich and decadent, our bathroom envelops you in a reimagined 1920s aesthetic that’s elevated by our signature contemporary and luxurious style. It’s a lavish sanctuary rendered in lush jewel tones, with an emphasis on geometric silhouettes and motifs in celebration of the centenary of the art deco movement. Pushing the boundaries of bathroom design, the idea is to evoke a sense of excitement, indulgence and hedonism, while also embracing modern innovation, traditional craftsmanship and the beauty of natural materials. From Verde Guatemala marble to handblown organic glass, every element speaks the same language of timeless luxury, hinting at a bygone era. Samuel Heath’s heritage and dedication to British handiwork align perfectly with our vision. Our special brassware collaborative line ties all the other elements together, capturing the architectural boldness and ornamental flair of deco through a marriage of engineering and artistry. The tap forms the basis of the concept: Think stepped profile details, dramatic lines and chamfered corners. We began by diving into the archives, eventually moving through a meticulous prototyping process—evaluating not just the aesthetics but also the proportions, tactility and functionality of each piece, down to how it felt in the hand. Like jewelry, the hardware sculpturally punctuates the space with metallic shine that ‘cuts through’ the other textures. It nods to the vintage glamour of the 1920s while feeling utterly relevant today. We also worked with Samuel Heath at its factory to develop Vintage Bronze, a brand-new finish that exquisitely highlights every rivet. True quiet opulence lies in the smallest of details, revealing itself slowly, through closer inspection. That’s how we want visitors to experience the Wow!house bathroom: with awe and the urge to explore the craft behind it.” —Laura and Aaron Hammett
VISUAL COMFORT & CO. LIVING ROOM
“Consider lighting as choreography: It should dance, not shout. It’s less about intensity and more about mood. Nothing too clinical. Nothing too bright. To achieve an ambient, cocoon-like atmosphere in my Wow!house living room, I layered elements. Downlights, decorative accents and hidden LED strips all harmonize together, washing across materials and textures, subtly accentuating the gentle silhouettes of the furniture and its lush velvet upholstery. Everything is dimmable, intuitive and precisely positioned to guide the eye and soften the impression. In collaboration with Visual Comfort, we used fixtures that echo the design language of the room: bold lines, organic curves and effortless sophistication. Each light stands alone as a distinct element while also contributing to the overall effect. One of the centerpieces is the Canto Grande chandelier—a sculptural moment suspended in the space, drawing the eye upward and playing with dimension. The striking framework of the Oscar floor lamp also adds a sculptural quality to the scheme. Brushed brass components give off a golden glow without ever feeling ostentatious. Integrated wall lights sit within a paneled wall, while the library sconce is installed in a cut-out niche with a wooden screen. Against the neutral, earthy palette of brown, terra cotta and ocher, light reflects in sumptuously understated ways, connecting vintage and contemporary elements. Ultimately, the lighting isn’t just something you see—it’s something you feel. It creates an escape; a place to sit and experience design with every sense. In a world that’s constantly rushing, that feeling is quite simply a luxury.” —Kelly Hoppen, CBE
SHEPEL’ HOME BAR
“The ‘Gathering Bar’ positions the room as the new heart of the family home, transitioning from the traditional kitchen to a space where connection, conversation and culture commingle effortlessly; where family, friends and generations of women share stories, the tapestry of their voices woven together over time. It’s an intimate setting. Our design studio, Blacksheep, is known for creating innovative and immersive experiences, specializing in the hospitality sector. With Shepel’, a family-owned, London-based furniture manufacturer, we’re proud to create unforgettable, handcrafted, artistic pieces. The company plays an integral role in shaping every detail of the room. We’ve collaborated with Arte on a stunning and symbolic wallcovering that reinterprets the artistry of traditional woven tapestry, adding texture and storytelling. Kahhal, a fifth-generation carpet producer, brings a unique heritage element through bespoke flooring that introduces warmth and depth. Drawing inspiration from design influences across different cultures, custom lighting adds atmosphere and a subtle sense of nostalgia. Each of these elements is thoughtfully complemented by collectible furnishings from Shepel’, which integrate seamlessly into the overall concept, unifying the layered narrative.” —Toni Black, Blacksheep
HECTOR FINCH SNUG
“For our eclectic yet elegant snug, we imagined a layered hideaway where Hector Finch could draft sketches, review samples and immerse himself in reference books while designing his historical lighting collections. Conveying our own aesthetic, our Hector Finch lamps have been crafted from alabaster and brass. Created using reclaimed wood, the antique elm flooring in the room has been carefully restored by the expert craftsmen at Ted Todd, while Faberby’s specialist decorative fine artists perfected the wall finish, applying a custom combination of marble dust, whiting-bound varnish and pigment to achieve a textured effect. The window dressings by Nest have been hand-stitched and -colored using natural dyes. Each piece has been thoughtfully chosen to lend understated luxury, collectively creating a refined yet inviting environment and transforming the smallest of nooks into an immersive, deeply personal retreat.” —James Thurstan Waterworth
To spec their incredible Wow!house rooms and countless professional projects, these designers know that DCCH is the one-stop spot for endless inspiration, product launches and activations, samples galore, white-glove service, direct access to exemplary craftspeople and collectives, and the A-to-Z of innovative home brands. Woodworker Tom Raffield, with studios in Cornwall; August+Co, representing Scotland’s legendary, century-old MYB lace-makers; and Turnstyle Designs, a North Devon–based hardware label combining precise engineering with authentic materials and artisanal techniques, are just some of the custom companies visitors to the center can tap to commission or buy original works. “Designers know how essential it is to distinguish their spaces with decor of impeccable quality and inimitable style, while makers embrace the chance to create sui generis pieces that break the mold,” says German. “From its inception, Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour has brought the two together, providing all the ingredients they need to work wonders.”
This story is a paid promotion and was created in partnership with Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.
Homepage image: Designer Toni Black’s “Gathering Bar” serves as an intimate and immersive setting where guest can sip cocktails and share stories; the custom wallcovering by Arte reinterprets traditional tapestry-weaving techniques | Courtesy of Blacksheep
