Six reasons to hit London’s most unmissable design event

Words: Sarah Jappy

Attention, design lovers, curious travellers and budding Kit Kemps/Kelly Hoppens! London’s unmissable design event, WOW!house 2026, hits the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour from 2 June until 2 July. Discover a world of design under one roof, with 20-plus full-scale interiors and outdoor spaces created by leading designers and rising talent with layered room scents courtesy of official sponsor Jo Malone London Home Fragrances. Intrigued? Here are six highlights showing why you should book now…

Best for contemplation: the Primary Bedroom by Salvesen Graham

The Primary Bedroom by Salvesen Graham unites architectural strength and decorative softness. The room recalls the spirit of a historic American home without sacrificing contemporality. Classical proportions reinforce the historic character, with generous scaling and architectural details such as a coffered ceiling, pronounced cornicing and restrained panelling. Pattern and colour are used confidently, tempered by fabrics in muted shades. The room is imagined as a personal retreat for a literary woman: a space for correspondence and contemplation, for fireside reading and reflective moments. A bookcase lines one wall and comfortable touches abound, from the fender seat by the fireplace to an inviting armchair, a footstool and a four-poster bed.

Best for Italophiles: the Perennials & Sutherland Garden Terrace by Fettle Design

Be whisked away to Italy via Fettle’s Garden Terrace, produced in collaboration with Perennials and Sutherland. Inspired by Perennials’ latest collection, La Dolce Vita, the Garden Terrace captures the effortless glamour of an Italian villa. Picture zesty splashes of lemon-yellow, paired with citrus-print fabrics, potted and trailing plants galore, outdoor furniture in toffee-coloured wood and classical statues. Additional Italian glamour comes courtesy of Sogni di Cristallo lighting, clay-plaster walls and artful flooring. Bespoke touches include a bar counter, a back-bar display and sculpture plinths crafted from timber, marble and antique mirror. 

Best for colour-lovers: the Benjamin Moore Minhwa Salon by Young Huh

The Benjamin Moore Minhwa Salon is a maximalist celebration of colour. Designer Young Huh was inspired by the ‘Millions Room’ at Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, which features 60 collages of Indo-Persian miniatures set within its wall panelling. Honouring her Korean heritage, Young Huh’s room will feature colour-pop, high-contrast depictions of minhwa: Korean folk art. The space is designed to feel enveloping, joyous and dazzlingly vibrant, exploring imagination versus utility. Lacquered walls feature inset boxes, some of which will be decorated with hand-painted minhwa paintings in Benjamin Moore paint by Fromental. Custom banquettes in Cowtan & Tout fabrics, fabricated by Robert Langford, will provide a textural contrast to the high-sheen surfaces.

Best for first impressions: the Entrance Hall by Francis Sultana

First impressions count – and Francis Sultana’s vision for the Entrance Hall is suitably bold. Visitors can expect antiques, statement lighting, contemporary art, a feature fireplace and lots of surprising details. The designer was inspired by the grand entrance halls of stately British homes, creating a welcoming space that sets the tone for what’s to come inside WOW!house. Combining English style with European flair, the Entrance Hall will feature art sourced from major London galleries alongside bespoke artworks commissioned or borrowed from David Gill Gallery artists such as Mattia Bonetti. The Entrance Hall emphasises sustainability and longevity – pieces will be reused and collaborators will repurpose elements in future projects. 

Best for literary types: the Shepel’ Library by Róisín Lafferty

When Dublin-based designer Róisín Lafferty visited a previous WOW!house exhibition, she was most impressed by the quiet gravitas and timeless elegance of the Library. Serendipitously, she has now designed her own. For inspiration, she drew upon the emotional power of Art Deco interiors, reinterpreting their drama, glamour and craftsmanship through a psychological lens. Expect dark palettes, exotic wood veneers and high-gloss lacquer reflecting the optimism of the Machine Age. Intricate marquetry and inlay evoke symmetry and geometry. In partnership with Shepel’, Róisín Lafferty has developed a capsule furniture collection, while the lighting created with Atelier001 is the ‘jewellery’ of the interior. Hidden alcoves and a concealed writing desk encourage moments of discovery.

Best for barflies: the Lalique Home Bar by Elicyon

Conceived as a modern box of delights, the Elicyon X Lalique Bar Room reimagines the art of hosting at home. This partnership between award-winning interior design studio Elicyon and iconic French crystal house Lalique explores contemporary entertaining through craft, proportions and quiet drama. Lalique crystal is integrated throughout, appearing in furniture, wall and bar panels, lighting and sculptural objects – animating the space with light, reflection and texture. Timber panelling wraps the room, hosting bar cabinetry, discreet storage and a Champagne fridge. Rewarding exploration, compartments open to reveal back-lit display niches. The WOW!house Bar is a totally shoppable exhibition, with every element available for purchase. 

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