Livingetc's WOW!house event is a treasure trove of interior design inspiration, offering a unique glimpse into the creative minds of some of the industry's most talented designers. This year's showcase, featuring designers like Studio Enass, Róisín Lafferty, and Russell Sage, has delivered a plethora of fresh ideas that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Silky Textures: A Tactile Experience
One of the standout rooms at WOW!house is the Lalique Bar, designed by Elicyon. This small yet captivating space showcases the power of silk textures. From the ceiling to the chandeliers and wall insets, bamboo silk adds a soft and natural touch. Elicyon's choice of this material creates a tactile experience, inviting visitors to explore the room with their eyes and hands. The repetition of silk throughout the space guides the eye gently, creating a sense of flow and harmony.
Soft Green Palettes: Calming Yet Vibrant
While many WOW!house rooms embrace a dramatic and dark aesthetic, a surprising color trend emerged this year: soft tonal green palettes. Samantha Bartlett's kitchen, in collaboration with Martin Moore, showcases a beautiful soft green range cooker and a Porta Romana chandelier. Similarly, Sara Cosgrove's Morning Room combines pale green, blue, and silvery gray to create a peaceful yet deep and inviting atmosphere. The use of lacquered finishes adds depth and prevents the space from feeling flat, offering a unique take on minimalism.
Tassels: A Playful Addition
WOW!house often showcases the rich variety of fabrics and trimmings available at Chelsea Harbour. This year, the intriguing use of tassels caught the eye of Livingetc's stylists. Studio Enass's garden room, in particular, featured tassels not only on furniture but also on wall trims, tables, and curtains. This playful addition brought movement and a sense of craftsmanship to the space, adding an unexpected layer of interest.
Unexpected Contrasts: A Bold Approach
Rich color palettes dominated many of the rooms at WOW!house, with deep browns, oxblood, olive greens, rust, plum, butter yellow, and lacquered neutrals making frequent appearances. However, it's the unexpected contrasts that truly stand out. Studio Duggan's room for Black Edition features a mustard yellow curved cocktail sofa sitting atop a rich, cherry red zellige tile. In the main salon, a combination of green and purple adds excitement and breaks traditional color schemes. The deep rust curtains paired with a green carpet and lilac trim create a bold and captivating contrast.
Burl Wood: A Moody Glamour
Burl wood made a strong presence at WOW!house this year, particularly in Róisín Lafferty's Shepel Library. This unique wood brings a rich, dark feel to the space, creating a moody and immersive atmosphere. The use of burl wood throughout the room demonstrates how a single material can define and enhance the overall design aesthetic.
WOW!house is a must-visit event for anyone interested in interior design. It offers a unique opportunity to experience these innovative ideas firsthand and gain inspiration for creating spaces that are both beautiful and emotionally enriching. Don't miss the chance to explore these designs and join Livingetc editor Pip Rich for an exclusive talk on nature-led design.
