Trends spotted at WOW! House 2022
Dining Room Designed by Freddy Van Zevenbergen of Lambart & Browne.
Day Room Designed by Kit Kemp & Minnie Kemp of Kit kemp Design Studio.
Wow!House at DCCH is one of the most exciting new events in the UK interior design industry. Headed by industry professionals and renowned makers, this exhibition showcases a selection of spaces created by some of the most talented people in interior design. The KINDLY team were lucky enough to visit the WOW! House exhibition at the design centre Chelsea Harbour this week and were blown away by the creativity. We spotted a few themes or trends repeated throughout the house. Some new ideas, and some reinventions of past styles.
Curtain Detailing
Given that many of the rooms were created alongside some of the best fabric houses in the business, it’s no surprise that the window treatments were something special.
We saw many double-sided curtains, with patterns on the reverse. It’s a subtle change from the usual plain lining you see on most window treatments but adds an extra sense of personality and uniqueness to your home. It also looks lovely from the outside in.
Another fabric technique we saw, that we hadn’t seen for a little while, was the method in which a contrast panel had been added to the base of the curtains in the De Le Cuona Living Room. Using their Pure Atlas translucent fabric, they attached the cream shade of fabric, wrapping it around the bottom. This meant there was no seam at the end of the curtain, and a terrifically textured one at the join. Combined with the reverse pleat, it allowed the curtains to drape luxuriously on the floor.
There were also many rooms featuring layered window treatments. Mixing bold patterns and colours through Roman blinds, with full-length curtains gave each space added detail, and cosiness, you wouldn’t expect in a popup!
Unexpectedly, window swags and valances seem to have made a strong comeback, and not in a subtle way. Thick swathes of fabric topped many of the windows, and strong geometrically cut valances topped others.
Patterned wallpapers
While wallpaper itself is a timeless method of adding pattern and texture, recently more textural or tonal finishes had become the preferred. Wow!House demonstrated the fabulous use of more intricate, historical patterns, like the fern printed fabric (GP & J Baker) in the Morning Room, an Eygptian hieroglyphic inspired fabric (Pierre Frey) that lined the walls in the Salon, a classic trellis design (Adelphi paper Hangings via Tissus d’Helene) in the Bedroom or a Morris & Co russet Bamboo print paper in the Courtyard Bedroom.
Print on print
Following on from the fabulous use of patterned wallpaper and fabrics, we noticed a theme of layering in using the same or a very similar pattern in both the wallpaper & fabric. This works wonderfully add creating texture and a sense of movement in a space, without having to add another colour, pattern or style.
Nature motifs
Many of the rooms featured strong imagery from nature; the floral fabrics used in curtaining or upholstery, foliage prints on the wallpapers, embossed feature panels, and even metallic sheets used on the study floor.
The Entrance Foyer designed by Shalini Misra showcased a wonderful embossed wallcovering by Fromental, set inside panelling to create a calm yet luxurious feature on the walls. The subtle design of foliage with flowers and birds in soft white silk reflected the light, adding dimension and art in a classic way that teamed effortlessly with the contemporary furniture alongside it.
The Drawing Room from Colefax & Fowler used nature motifs in a more traditional method, with delicate spring floral fabrics (Berkley Sprig & Fuchsia) on the sofa and the reverse of the curtains. The bold Dining Room also showcased an incredible Schumacher fabric (Hothouse Flowers) on the exterior of the tub dining chairs.
The Morning Room had an overall nature-inspired feel, that was light, fresh and spring-like. The room was perfectly suited to an English Country Cottage home. Despite only using two floral fabrics (the Ferns Embroidery fabric which lined the walls and the curtains, and the Arley Print used as a table cloth) the quantity used created a bold feature that encapsulated the English country home style.
As William Morris is known for their intricate and swirling florals, it was no surprise that the Courtyard Bedroom designed by Brandon Schubert with Morris & Co heavily featured its iconic style. Almost every fabric in this space included a natural element in the design. The overall feel was very classical and very richly sumptuous. A similar approach was also taken in the following bedroom by Joanna Plant & Tissus D’Helene.
One of the more unexpected nature motifs was found in the study, designed by Stephanie Barba Mendoza. Stephanie used a decorative patterned metal from Sterling Studios for the flooring. With green painted eaves on brass panels, this was a completely unexpected flooring choice, which really drew our eye to this compact workspace. This room might have been small, but it definitely did not lack the punch of great design.
The Day Room from Kit Kemp Design Studio gave us nature motifs in many ways - from a leafy mural on the walls (Pierre Frey) to an abstract, almost hand-drawn, floral curtain, to bold, colourful floral fabrics upholstered onto the chairs. This took the nature motif and added colour and a sense of whimsy that was refreshing and fun to be surrounded by.
Many of the spaces also included plants and flowers, which always make us happy to see! A particularly high point is the green focal wall in the De Le Cuona room, with many varieties of plants including some wonderful Calatheas, which thrive in the humidity created by being a group with other plants. It added a vibrant sense of life and tranquillity to this calming space.
Incorporating Trends in a Timeless Way
We had a wonderful time at the Wow!House exhibition and would encourage anyone to give it a visit if you have a passion for interior design. Whilst trends are not always the most sustainable way to decorate your home (as often they have changed before you’ve even completed your project!) we’re experts in spotting ones that are timeless or can be adapted or updated to suit every personality and taste. Many of the decorating trends we talked about above, all use classic design approaches behind them. The fabric styles can be altered to suit a more minimal palette, or something more bold and colourful if your tastes prefer.
Holistic Interior Design is all about finding what resonates with you and applying our design expertise to create a home that is timeless and personal.
Get in touch to discuss how we can include your favourite interior design trends into your living space in a way that will fit your personal aesthetic and lifestyle.
Living Room Designed in collaboration between United In Design & De Le Cuona.