Design Centre Stories

House of Stories

Everyone loves stories – and storytelling has become an important part of interior design, with brands parcelling up their collections with a compelling narrative, and designers coming up with winning concepts to bring clients on board with their schemes.

WOW!house is the same, and it’s perhaps no surprise that – in the absence of a flesh-and-blood client – the designers have let their imaginations fly when it comes to conjuring imaginary occupants for their rooms. Take Stephanie Barba Mendoza: her ‘Killer Queen’ Study (above left) was inspired by the Queen song of the same name, but with a twist: “She is sharp and intelligent, yet has a wild side,” as the designer puts it.

Rayman Boozer took as his starting point for the Principal Bedroom (above right) the 1996 Peter Greenaway film The Pillow Book, whose set design frequently reflects the sensuality of the story it portrays. The room is enveloped in saturated shades of sapphire, ultramarine, azure and red, with accents of gold. Boozer wanted the space to be “dotted with Asian influences”, so there are chinoiserie vases, a Chinese cabinet on a stand and delicate toadstool-like sculptures from Arteriors; a sumptuous bath from West One Bathrooms has been cleverly sited behind the bed.

2LG Studio’s narrative for the House of Rohl Bathroom (above) is based around a real-life figure, US actor, singer and author Billy Porter. “He’s such an icon of fashion and an incredibly lovely human, so we wanted to take his approach to life and create this bathroom space for him to indulge his senses.,” says 2LG Studio’s Russell Whitehead. “The combination of luxurious vintage upholstery with retro glass brick and the stark modernity of brushed steel should appeal to his distinctive aesthetic.” The designers challenged Victoria + Albert Baths to come up with something special for the ‘Amiata’ bath and double basins, and the result is a dynamic ombré-effect paint finish.

Kit and Minnie Kemp’s Day Room scheme conjures up Parisian workshop of Mimi the hatmaker – and features a series of whimsical decorative hats by real-life artist Mimi de Biarritz. There’s a handsome desk where Mimi can meet clients, and a gorgeous wardrobe adorned in ‘Beau Monde’ fabric by Pierre Frey, plus plenty of artistic touches, from a tailor’s dummy to the Bloomsbury-inspired painted cabinet..

All these stories make WOW!house feel completely transporting – to different times, different places, in the company of new and fascinating people. A specially commissioned soundscape by Peter Adjaye, and fragrances by Dr.  Vranjes make WOW!house an even more immersive experience – an experience that has to happen in person to be truly appreciated.

Arteriors, Third Floor, Design Centre East
House of Rohl, Third Floor, North Dome
Pierre Frey, First Floor, Design Centre East
West One Bathrooms, Second Floor, Design Centre East

Room credits for every room at WOW!house can be found here

 

 

 

Tags: , , ,