DE S IGN CENTRE
at a 1950s Palm Beach terrace, a new space for 2023 designed by Studio Winch for room sponsor Summit Furniture. In between, we were taken to the moon in the bathroom of a 1970s rocket ship (thank you Barlow & Barlow for Drummonds); to a light-filled study-turned artist’s studio where inside and outside meet, courtesy of Clare Gaskin, and to a sensual transcendental lounge inspired by Josephine Baker that was the work of Timothy Mather and room sponsors Alexander Lamont, Lamont’s London showroom partner Miles de Lange, and textile specialists Lauren Hwang New York. There were classically elegant drawing rooms, intimate dining rooms, dream-fulfilling bedrooms and – for the first time – a Legend Room, conceived as a theatrical contemporary salon composed of eye-pleasing vignettes by – rather fittingly – legendary interior designer Nicky Haslam in collaboration with Colette van den Thillart. It was marvellous and maximalist and its exuberant
creativity stimulated all the senses – each room even had its own sound and scentscape (the former composed by harpsichordist and arts executive Leslie Kwan, and
“WORLD-CLASS DESIGNERS FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBE,
ALONG WITH LUXURY BRANDS, WERE INVITED TO CONJURE ROOMS OF WONDER”
the latter by bespoke candle makers Wick & Tallow), but it was also exquisitely crafted with every flight of fancy rooted in expertise. “This year’s designers brought their A-game,” said Claire German. “They made you think about design in new ways and simultaneously embraced the most inventive ideas about space and storytelling and the finest examples of craft.” A commitment to craftmanship was the golden
thread running through the WOW!house. Designers scoured the Design Centre showrooms for exceptional furniture and furnishings and commissioned the best tradespeople, artisans and QEST scholars to create one-off works. Room sponsor Fromental made new textures, embroideries and patterns for its experimental Courtyard Room with Maddux Creative; in the de Gournay Morning Room, Waldo Works took full advantage of the wallcovering specialist’s supreme artistry, and Nicolò Castellini Baldissera’s Salon for C&C Milano was a showcase of Italian craftsmanship. British artisans were widely celebrated too; architect and designer Umut Yamac’s intriguing woven ceiling sculpture took centre stage in Martin Hulbert and Jay Grierson’s Dining Room, while Tim Gosling commissioned a skill- testing marquetry games table based on the Palace of Versailles’ courtyard for his Library.
These bespoke pieces were layered with unique
artworks, antiques, and vintage finds – a colourful porcelain stool and a vintage screen sourced in Mexico in Natalia Miyar’s bedroom for Colony by Casa Luiza, paintings by Ivon Hitchens in Vanessa Macdonald for Melissa Wyndham’s Drawing Room – resulting in sophisticated, storied spaces with a real sense of provenance. Perhaps the biggest achievement of the WOW!house was that it felt like a home. While WOW!house
itself has disappeared from
the Design Avenue, its legacy lives on. Tangibly in the shape of awareness raised for this year’s partner charity, TP Caring Spaces, and in the build structure and flooring, both of which are destined for re-use, and also conceptually. In just two years, WOW!house has established itself as the preeminent fixture of the international design calendar. The rooms in this edition will shape aesthetics and influence design directions, while the wider project stands as a remarkable powerhouse where creativity and design excellence are not only celebrated but encouraged to thrive.
ABOVE: WOW!house 2023 transported visitors to other times and places – and in the case of the Drummonds Principal Bathroom by Barlow & Barlow, to a 1970s rocket ship, replete with a mirrored terrazzo-like floor and shimmering curtains framing the traditional bath OPPOSITE: From established luminaries to rising stars, designers brought their A-game to the project, embracing inventiveness, artisanship and creativity at every turn
THE WOW!ROOMS Iksel Entrance Foyer by Mark D. Sikes •
Legend Room by Nicky Haslam & Colette van den Thillart • Dining Room by Joy
Moyler, Joy Moyler Interiors • C&C Milano Salon by Nicolò Castellini Baldissera •
Drawing Room by Vanessa Macdonald for Melissa Wyndham • Drummonds Principal Bathroom by Lucy Barlow & Joshua Sear, Barlow & Barlow • Colony by Casa Luiza Principal Bedroom by Natalia Miyar • de Gournay Morning Room by Waldo
Works • Fromental Courtyard Room by Maddux Creative • Alexander Lamont + Miles + Lauren Hwang NY Day Room by Timothy Mather Design • House of Rohl
Bathroom by Studio Mica • Gosling Library by Tim Gosling • Study by Clare Gaskin, Clare Gaskin Interiors • de Le Cuona
Bedroom by Christian Bense • Dining Room by Martin Hulbert & Jay Grierson, Martin
Hulbert Design • Home Bar by Tala Fustok Studio • Martin Moore Kitchen by Henry
Prideaux, Henry Prideaux Interior Design • Summit Furniture Terrace by Studio Winch
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