THE JOURNAL
WOW!HOUSE 2023
Summer's hottest design event is back for a second run, with tickets on sale now. Here's what to expect from this year's house of inspiration and wonder
W
OW!house, the biggest project to date at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, launched in 2022 to universal acclaim. Far more than
a showcase of individual design talent and the latest products and trends, it cemented the Design Centre's role at the heart of the industry: and the results were astonishing. Now, it’s back. An extraordinary 500 sq m showhouse, built within the Design Avenue, with 18 full-size rooms, for visitors to explore and enjoy. From 5 June to Thursday 6 July 2023, a fresh
collective of international designers and world-class design brands will be given carte blanche to interpret a room. Freed from the restrictions of a client’s brief, they will have the opportunity to stretch their creative muscles and let their imaginations fly. This summer, WOW!house will be an opportunity to see in person what is normally out of reach – the work of masters in their field. Ten of the rooms will be generously sponsored
by major international brands and will offer collaboratively designed delights from Maddux Creative for Fromental; Christian Bense for de Le Cuona; Waldo Works for de Gournay; Studio Winch for Summit Furniture; Timothy Mather Design for Alexander Lamont + Miles + Lauren Hwang NY, Henry Prideaux for Martin Moore; Tim Gosling for Gosling Ltd and Natalia Miyar for Colony by Casa Luiza. Proof positive that design has an international language, Italian designer Nicolò Castellini Baldissera is teaming up with C & C Milano and US decorator Mark D. Sikes with Iksel (he was recently chosen to decorate First Lady Jill Biden's East Wing Office in the White House). There will be two bathrooms this year, created respectively by Lucy Barlow and Joshua Sear of Barlow & Barlow for Drummonds and Carolynne Shenton of Studio Mica for House of Rohl. Other names to look out for
include New York decorator renowned UK designers Vanessa Macdonald
Joy Moyler and of
Melissa Wyndham, Martin Hulbert and Jay Grierson, Clare Gaskin and Tala Fustok. New for 2023 is the Legend Room designed by Nicky Haslam and Colette van den Thillart. “When we launched WOW!house in 2022, the goal
was to pioneer a sense of wonder. For 2023, we are building an even more immersive experience to amaze and inspire by showing the world what extraordinary achievements can be made when our talented industry
comes together in such an ambitious and exceptional way,” says Claire German, CEO of Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. The first designer reveal was announced in January
in Paris to international fanfare. Months of frenzied work will follow as the designers work tirelessly to achieve their vision, sourcing exceptional products and finding suppliers, makers and trades to bring their ideas to life. The Design Centre is also partnering with QEST (The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust) to engage craftspeople in collaborating with the designers to create bespoke pieces than can be reused after the event. Expectations will be high – there will be something
so thrilling about walking through their designed spaces. Not only will it be transportive, but it also promises to inspire with creative ideas. Visitors can learn about proportion, scale and lighting, and how to integrate details such as art and objets. Subtleties can make or break a scheme, but they are often the things that get lost when looking at a room online: the feel of a soft fabric; how a judicious layout can create atmosphere; a beautifully detailed trim, or a well- placed lamp. Sustainability remains important in the design process for WOW!house, and the 3D printed facade by RIBA architects Mamou-Mani will be used again. The project will also raise vital funds and awareness for TP Caring Spaces, the charity set up by interior designers Turner Pocock. In June, the stage will be set for you to experience some extraordinary spaces.
For full details and information about tickets visit
dcch.co.uk/wowhouse
MAIN IMAGE: The 2022 WOW!house, featuring a facade designed by Mamou-Mani that will be reused for this year’s show PORTRAITS, LEFT: Scott Maddux and Jo Le Gleud, Maddux Creative; Joy Moyler; Mark D. Sikes PORTRAITS, RIGHT: Claire German, CEO, Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour; Lucy Barlow and Joshua Sear, Barlow & Barlow; Tim Gosling; Clare Gaskin
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