As someone wrote on social media, this year is the time for interior designers to tell their stories. The 18-room set in Chelsea Harbor loosely follows the idea of a (big) house, from the foyer through the dining room, morning room, library, office, bedroom, bathroom, to the innermost garden room. I’m here. International designers and sponsors are free to create any room they want to see.
WOW!house 2023 Excel Entrance Foyer by Mark D Sikes Photography James McDonald
And how amazing it was. When I wrote about this last year, several people said it was too much for them. But remember, this is not meant to be a real home. A showcase for fabrics and materials, textiles and ideas. It shows where designers think the same, such as decorative ceilings and many textures, and where they differ, such as the clean lines of Waldo’s Works and the luxury of Timothy’s Gosling. It is pleasing to the eye. It will be open to the public until July 6th, so be sure to check it out.
Exel entrance to WOW!house by Mark D Sikes Image credit: madaboutthehouse.com
There are apparently 18 rooms, so I’m not going to show you all of them here, but instead, I decided to highlight some of my favourites. The entrance hall was a wonderful opening to what was to come. Last year it was minimal with a gorgeous chandelier. This year, fabrics and hand-painted wallpapers by Ixel Studio set the tone. It took him nine months to paint the paper. A soft ocher color was repeated throughout the room. I also felt that mural wallpaper was becoming an increasingly popular theme (try MindTheGap for a more affordable print version).
WOW!house 2023 Dining Room by Joy Moyler Interior Photo James McDonald
I loved Joy Moirer’s thatched dining room (said the American designer). It reflects the British environment in which she was placed. But, not literally, this year’s rooms focused on texture in many ways, one of which was her ‘tattle room’ the highlight.
wow!house 2023 Dining Room by Joy Moirer
With dark red walls and velvet columns, it was a tribute to Christian Dior, who had a small room in his Parisian apartment where he could sit, sketch, chat and relax. This niche place is Joy’s version of where you can sneak out after dinner and enjoy hot gossip about everything that’s ever happened. I love the idea, and in my frugal home, I might find a space in the corner of my bedroom for a comfy armchair so I can sit down and check out what happened during the night via text message before going to bed. .
WOW!house 2023 Drummonds Principle Bathroom Barlow-Barlow Photography James McDonald
Well, the bathroom was one of my highlights. I’ve long been a fan of Barlow & Barlow’s work, but collaborating with Drummonds was a lot of fun, from his vintage 70’s Pierre Cardin metal shower, from his curtains to the freestanding bath in the corner of the room. It’s just I’m thinking now if I need to create a nook in my bathroom to create this look. Of course, you don’t need to mirror yourself like this. Remember, it was a) called Wow!house and b) was meant to get attention from the other 18 rooms, and they certainly did that.
WOW!house 2023 De Gournay Morning Room by Waldo Works Photography James McDonald
After that intensity, it’s soothing to come to this room by Waldo Works (another of my favorites), but here in collaboration with de Gournay, this is what we’re used to seeing from them. It felt completely different from the usual flower and chinoiserie motifs. . This one is about the weather and for me it was a very modern interpretation of the trompe l’oeil effect as the crosshatching and geometric shapes give him a 3D effect.
WOW!house 2023 De Gournay Morning Room by Waldo Works
For the bedroom below, we used 15 different shades to create the room, with green as our inspiration. The wallpaper is textured, the bed curtains are linen, and the cushions are a combination of appliqué and embroidery. It feels like a really restful space, and even if you don’t like green (you know who you are), you can create similar ideas with layers of blue, or creams and neutrals. increase. The colors can clash or be too bold, but the textures all love playing together, and the higher the contrast, the better.
wow!house 2023 Bedroom by Natalia Miyar in collaboration with Colony at Casa Luiza Courtesy madaboutthehouse.com
It was technically called the “Courtyard Room,” but designer Maddux Creative renamed it the “3am Room.” Like the Tuttle Room, it meant sinking into a comfy couch late at night when you were done dancing but not ready for bed. . Note also the appliqués on the walls and the curved sofas for conversation.
WOW!house 2023 Frommental Courtyard Room by Maddux Creative Photography James McDonald
I loved Tim Gosling’s library. Last year, one of the rooms was locked, stored, taken off by barrel, and taken back to the designer’s New York apartment. This time, Tim has recreated the 57-room library of a French chateau, which is currently undergoing restoration. It may come as no surprise that he based it on the Palace of Versailles and its Hall of Mirrors. Once again, notice the tent ceiling and plush textures throughout. Wherever possible he sought out British manufacturers, of whom he ordered a fine backgammon table for him.
WOW!house 2023 Gosling Library by Tim Gosling Photography James McDonald
Next to the library was Claire Gaskin’s gorgeous little studio. In contrast to a typical dark, book-lined office, Claire dabbles in Barbados traditions, filling a light-filled, textured room (rattan ceiling) filled with subtle colors and rich patterns. is created. Claire talks about the joy of creating a room for a nonexistent client, summarizing the joy many designers should feel in this space.
That’s why wow!house is so interesting because it gives you a glimpse into the designer’s head. They have no personal preferences other than their own. They have a space with he three or he four walls, they have sponsors and that’s it. So while the house itself isn’t real, it’s a true reflection of what some of the world’s most famous designers think and feel today.
WOW!house 2023 Research by Claire Gaskin Photographer James McDonald
From there we moved to a bedroom by Christian Bense and De Lu Quona. It is described as a South African tent meets a Bloomsbury apartment. Yes, it had a lot of safari elements, but it was warm, cozy and textured at the same time. Twin beds are rare. Again, textures are natural, from linen canopies to natural flooring and bamboo beds.
WOW!house 2023 DE LE CUONA BEDROOM CHRISTIAN BENSE Photography James MacDonald
On your way to the kitchen, cross by the bar to see another ceiling. This time, the tables and velvet benches are in rich, curved silk taffeta.
WOW!house 2023 Home Bar by Tala Fustok Photography James McDonald
Then go to the kitchen, which combines pale pink with burgundy accents, and lots of brass accents. When you visit, open the pantry door and look up at the ceiling.
WOW!house 2023 Martin Moore Kitchen by Henry Prideaux Interior Design Photography James McDonald
I’ll let you see the images, but before that, you know I wrote last year about the sustainability aspects of creating an exhibition like this. I think it’s important that shows like this can exist. This is an art form like any other, and over the years we also understand the vital role our homes play in our mental health and well-being. But I do know that designers think carefully about what they are making. The front door wall of the house is the same as last year, as are the carefully preserved walls and structures. Other pieces go back to showrooms and homes, but the fabric is often cut and sent as samples.
I had my eye on wallpaper from an Italian house, so I stopped by Colefax & Fowler on the way home and was told that nothing was wasted at last year’s show. They are remaking last year’s sofa for a client and use all the other elements to display or sell. Go if you can and enjoy these photos if you can.
