WOW!house 2025 Room Reveals
At WOW!house 2025, each designer has created an unique, immersive world, which aims to thrill, intrigue, and delight the senses. Read on for the stories behind the spaces, divided into key themes.
All of the rooms will be seen for the first time when WOW!house opens its doors on Tuesday 3 June. Want to secure your place for summer’s spectacular showhouse? For tickets, click here.
Art & Collecting: From Old Master paintings to cutting-edge contemporary works, art (and sculptural, collectible design) plays a critical role in many of the rooms
STARK ‘THE CURATOR’S ROOM’ BY SPINOCCHIA FREUND
“The idea of crafting a room that weaves together history, art and the alchemy of collaboration felt electric,” says Brigitta Spinocchia Freund about ‘The Curator’s Room,’ created with sponsor Stark Carpet. The space honours women in art and design and will be full of work by female artists; Spinocchia Freund has also worked with Stark’s creative director Ashley Stark on beguiling bespoke rugs.
Divided into two distinct areas – a light-filled studio where creativity flows and a shadowed sanctuary for contemplation and conversation – the room will be framed by Seamers’ oak panelling, grounded by a reclaimed timber floor and enriched with textiles by Pierre Frey.
TREASURE HOUSE FAIR MORNING ROOM BY DANIEL SLOWIK
With the art, antique and design show Treasure House Fair as its room sponsor, the Morning Room will undoubtedly be full of fascinating finds. Designer Daniel Slowik has imagined Victorian art collector Richard Wallace (of the Wallace Collection) as his client, with a room enriched by a George III bookcase and a painting by 18th-century female artist Maria Verelst (from Phillip Mould) above the Jamb fireplace.
Using his signature attention to craft and detail, Slowik has mixed this curation with fabrics and furnishings from the Nuthall Temple collection he launched in 2024 as a joint venture with his partner (and WOW!house 2024 designer) Benedict Foley. ‘Diamond Trellis’ fabric on the walls is paired with a less formal ‘Ivy Trellis’ made of leaf silhouettes based on popular romantic 19th-century chintzes.
PHILLIP JEFFRIES STUDY BY STAFFAN TOLLGARD
Designer Staffan Tollgård always weaves a ‘red thread’ of narrative through a room, creating common ground between objects, materials and textures. Here, the thread is the idea of functional sculpture, so that every element not only serves a purpose but acts as a work of art – including sponsor Phillip Jeffries’ painstakingly handmade ‘Modern Muse’ timber-inlay wallcovering.
The Tollgard studio specialises in contemporary international brands, some of which are showcased here. Ceccotti Collezioni’s reading chair and large, textural ‘Neverfull’ drinks cabinet, placed on a deliciously warm floor made from Alphenberg’s ‘Tundra’ leather, ensure that this space oozes comfort, while a generously curved ‘Bean’ desk, crafted from solid American walnut, is spotlit beneath a sleek ‘Ash’ pendant by Entrelacs.
COX LONDON ENTRANCE HALL BY VICTORIA DAVAR OF MAISON ARTEFACT
“I was inspired by the idea of an artist finding a charming historical building and turning it into a place of optimism and creativity,” says this room’s designer, Victoria Davar of Maison Artefact. Her dramatic five-metre-high ceilings, complete with a ‘floating’ staircase to imaginary rooms beyond, will provide plenty of space for antique furniture, 20th-century paintings – and the heirlooms of tomorrow courtesy of room sponsor Cox London, including a showstopping ‘Oak Leaf’ chandelier.
There are examples of collaborations with other artisans too – a detailed Robert Adam plaster frieze from Stevensons of Norwich; a wonderful floor mosaic by the addiction and mental health charity, Hackney Mosaic Project, and a feast of textiles, ceramics and sculptural objects by artists from WOW!house charity partner United in Design’s Guide to Makers and Creators.
At your service: Highly functional spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and boot rooms need to be as beautiful as they are practical. Here’s how the WOW!house designers are taking on the challenge
LOPEN JOINERY KITCHEN BY BEN PENTREATH STUDIO
Somerset master cabinet maker Lopen Joinery has worked with Ben Pentreath Studio’s Rupert Cunningham and Leo Kary to create the ultimate unfitted kitchen. The designers call the aesthetic “Greco-gothic”, an intriguing synthesis of Greek-revival and gothic, but they also say that this will be “a hug of space,” reflecting its cosy ambience.
A solid oak prep-table with octagonal legs takes centre stage, spotlit beneath Jamb’s spectacular octagonal roof lantern. Against oschre-coloured walls, and worn-pine floors. storage comes in the form of a finely detailed glazed bookcase with sliding doors and a striking ebonised oak pantry, while the monolithic stone sink sits in a vast country house dresser.
HOUSE OF ROHL PRIMARY BATHROOM BY 1508 LONDON
The rejuvenating Primary Bathroom is a contemporary sanctuary dedicated to – as designer 1508 London’s Ailsa Connery puts it – “reflection, ritual and reverie”. She explains how “‘reflection’ transforms the bathroom into a hidden oasis for unwinding and refocusing; ‘ritual’ honours the timeless practices of bathing and cleansing, with light and shadow adding depth and mystery to the environment, and ‘reverie’ weaves cultural and historical narratives into the space, inspired by traditional hammams.”
The twin focal points are the sweepingly curved shower, complete with running water (a WOW!house first), and a freestanding ‘Seros’ bath by Victoria + Albert, one of room sponsor House of Rohl’s family of luxury bathroom brands. The bath is designed by British sculptor Sophie-Elizabeth Thompson, and that sculptural sensibility continues with the line work flowing around the tub.
SIMS HILDITCH COURTYARD ROOM BY EMMA SIMS-HILDITCH
Emma Sims-Hilditch, creative founder of her eponymous design studio, makes homes infused with a classic English aesthetic that feel warm, inviting and liveable. For WOW!house she has designed a country back-of-house boot/mud room that has a multitude of functions, from storing sports gear to washing off vegetables grown in the garden.
The space incorporates antiques, fine art, decorative wall finishes, architectural detailing – and a shower and feeding station for pampered dogs. A grand fireplace and armchairs make this a place where you might also want to linger a while after taking off your wellies. Sims Hilditch has worked with Marlborough Tiles to design a bespoke tile that celebrates the traditional technique of hand-painted Delft examples, while glazed screens will evoke a classic below-stairs aesthetic.
SAMUEL HEATH BATHROOM BY LAURA HAMMETT
“A space made for someone who sips champagne while they do their makeup” is how designer Laura Hammett describes this divine space. In the centenary year of Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs, she has reinvented the classic art deco bathroom for the 21st century – showcasing in particular a new deco-inspired tap she has designed in collaboration with sponsor Samuel Heath.
“The design language is opulent and decadent” says Hammett of the room, and there are luxurious elements at every turn, from the hand-blown ‘Barrington’ glass pendant (designed by Hammett for her Laura Hammett Living label), another deco nod, to the basin vanity clad in calacatta oro marble from Artisans of Devizes. An intricately layered lighting scheme will make the whole space sparkle.
Hideaways: Several WOW!house designers have imagined spaces that feel particularly private – whether for reading, powdering your nose or cuddling up à deux.
NUCLEUS MEDIA ROOM BY ALEX DAULEY
“Opulent with the tiniest hint of drama” is how Alex Dauley described the Media Room (a first for WOW!house) created in collaboration with AV specialists Nucleus. Dauley has treated herself as the client, imagining her ideal date-night spot for two, post children flying the nest. Most of the room will be custom made, but there are lacquer and faux-suede wallcoverings from Romo, lighting and furniture from Porta Romana and flooring from Ecohardwood.
The top home entertainment system by Nucleus – which will be demonstrated daily at WOW!house – is a given. “The team are as knowledgeable and professional as they are lovely and friendly, which makes it is great partnership.,” says Dauley about the room sponsor.
DRUMMONDS POWDER ROOM BY NICOLA HARDING
Another first for WOW!house, this jewel-toned Powder Room with its silk tented ceiling will feel like a decadent escape from the world. “This is a small space, and because you’re not spending lots of time here, you can be more dramatic,” says designer Nicola Harding.
Room sponsor Drummonds has been one of her go-to suppliers for a decade, so it felt natural to pair up for WOW!house 2025: a custom-designed, art-deco-inspired vanity stand will be the room’s centrepiece, but there will also be an abundance of textures and finishes, from glazed ceramic tiles to antique mirror to loose rugs.
DEDAR LIBRARY BY PIRAJEAN LEES
This extraordinary circular space is an audio library, rather than a reading one – a place that embraces both the power of silence and the expression of sound. “Our narrative stems from A440 Hz – the tuning standard of musical instruments before a concert – the sound of anticipation. An emotionally charged moment filled with imagination, thrill and wonder of new discoveries,” say the designers, Clémence Pirajean and James Michael Lees.
The Library incorporates many special textiles by room sponsor Dedar: its soft mohair velvet ‘Script’, with its elemental jacquard cracked motif, combines with wild silk ‘Fanfara’ to soften and beautify the twin bookshelves, while casting a gentle glow over everything is a spectacular pendant light. “The atmosphere will be warm and inviting, making the space feel lived-in and approachable, offering a moment for pause and reflection,” say the designers.
HECTOR FINCH SNUG BY THURSTAN
Thurstan’s designer, James Thurstan Waterworth, had one person only in mind when designing this room: Hector Finch, whose eponymous artisan lighting company is the room’s sponsor. An intimate place for reading, thinking and sketching, it incorporates key pieces from Hector Finch’s collections. alongside a mix of natural materials and antiques, a detailed timber floor by Ted Todd and a natural stone fireplace.
“Although it’s a small space, we believe a well-curated environment – complete with shelves, a desk, and carefully chosen lighting – can feel layered, immersive, and personal,” says Waterworth.
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The hospitality connection: While WOW!house is imagined as a residence, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t crossovers with other genres of interior – and some the designers are bringing a deep specialist knowledge of hotel design to create their rooms.
SHEPEL’ HOME BAR, BY TONI BLACK OF BLACKSHEEP
With a global client list that includes Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and Waldorf Astoria, Toni Black brings all her experience of creating convivial spaces to the Home Bar. Black has imagined a place for gathering, and storytelling, where “connection, conversation and culture come together effortlessly,” says Black.
Right angles are eschewed in favour of enveloping curves, with a lowered ceiling and tactile materials on every surface for even greater intimacy. All of the furniture has been custom designed, and made by room sponsor Shepel’, incorporating many artisan skills, such as the straw marquetry effect on the pocket doors and cabinetry.
PERENNIALS AND SUTHERLAND COURTYARD BY GODDARD LITTLEFAIR
Goddard Littlefair’s Courtyard was inspired by a recent sun-soaked hotel project in Marbella: according to designers Martin Goddard and Jo Littlefair, it is “where Andalusian gardens, Moorish architecture and North African influences weave together to form a sanctuary of calm.” Expect natural materials, muted tones and a subtle play of light and shade.
Performance textiles by Perennials and furniture by Sutherland (the room’s sponsors) provide even more of a reason to linger. There will be a custom Perennials rug with faded elements, evoking the idea that the space has already had years of use, and ‘Crescent’ furniture by Sutherland, made from powder-coated aluminium for beauty as well as extreme durability.
FORTUNY + BONACINA + BAROVIER&TOSO PRIMARY BEDROOM BY TOMÈF DESIGN
Tomèf Design’s Tommaso Franchi has collaborated with three of Italy’s leading heritage design brands – iconic fabric house Fortuny, handcrafted rattan furniture company Bonacina and Murano glass masters Barovier&Toso – to create a sumptuous, unexpected bedroom inspired by a Venetian hotel room. Franchi describes it as “an exciting opportunity to bring together three leading experts in Italian craftsmanship in a true creative collaboration.”
The room is divided into a bedroom and living room, separated by anopulent curtain in a Fortuny fabric. The custom-made ‘Tiara’ bed is the room’s centrepiece that brings the three brands together, with a Bonacina woven rattan frame, an upholstered headboard in a golden velvet by Fortuny and droplet lights by Barovier&Toso.
Book your tickets now for the unmissable interiors event of the summer
