HOW DID YOUR PREVIOUS ROLES PREPARE YOU FOR THE LEADERSHIP POSITION YOU HOLD TODAY?

My background in magazine publishing has certainly helped in my role at the Design Centre. Fast-paced, exciting and never dull, brand building, setting goals and using communication skills are integral to both. Rolling out new initiatives, growing audiences and shining a spotlight on great talent are a common thread. Any industry, though, is all about the people within it, and I feel incredibly lucky that every day I encounter such an inspiring crowd.

CAN YOU SHARE THE VISION BEHIND THE DESIGN CENTRE CHELSEA HARBOUR (DCCH) AND HOW IT HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS?

The Design Centre has changed so much since I came on board, but the vision of the owners means we continue to evolve. Some twenty years ago they saw its potential, transforming it from a soulless site to a thriving commercial and creative hub, cementing our position as the powerhouse of design. Today, we’re still looking to the future; investing in our infrastructure, attracting more companies (we’ve seen a rise in international flagship showrooms opening here), and thinking of new ways for visitors enjoy all we have to offer. We’ve created a wonderful environment that people want to come to, and businesses want to be part of. From an extraordinary showhouse to unmissable design events like Focus and London Design Week, we have an unmatched reach as an international design destination. We’re bricks, mortar and beyond!

COULD YOU ELABORATE ON THE GOALS AND UNIQUE ASPECTS OF THE WOW!HOUSE PROJECT?

WOW!house is a showhouse rather than a real home, which means that its designers are able to let their imaginations fly, perhaps going bigger and bolder than they might for a real-life client. Each year it’s brimming with ideas and inspiration, as well as common threads that tell us a great deal about the design zeitgeist. The concept remains unchanged, but every WOW!house is different. It’s an immersive journey like no other. Given a white box, designers can layer, colour, pattern and texture, adding in carefully chosen furniture, lighting, art and objets. Details can make or break a scheme, but they are often the things that get lost when looking at a room online. This is why thousands flock to see in person what is normally out of reach – the work of masters in their field. 

Since its inception, WOW!house has always supported charitable initiatives that make a difference. In the first year, fundraising for Centrepoint was enhanced by a mentoring programme for six young people. In 2023, WOW!house’s support for TP Caring Spaces raised enough funds for a full redesign of the Brook Green Community Centre. United in Design is the chosen charity partner this year, and the partnership with the Design Centre will continue through 2025.

HOW DOES DCCH SUPPORT EMERGING DESIGNERS, AND WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU PROVIDE FOR THEM TO SHOWCASE THEIR WORK?

We want to help people discover design, and support those doing it well: from big names to next-generation talent. Every year, we invite rising stars to design rooms for WOW!house and we are proud to put their exceptional talents on the map. We seek out emerging designers for our ‘Ones to Watch’ pages in The Journal, our glossy magazine, and ensure exciting names on our radar are given top billing through our talks programme. The Design Centre has also given focus to Future Heritage, the forward-looking showcase of makers curated by Corinne Julius. I’m looking forward to this year’s edition in the autumn as it has a track record for spotting the next big thing. 

WHAT DESIGN TRENDS DO YOU FIND MOST EXCITING RIGHT NOW, AND HOW DO YOU SEE THEM INFLUENCING FUTURE PROJECTS AT DCCH?

At WOW!house we always encourage people to ‘look up’! Stylish alternatives to a plain painted finish, there are some dramatic coffered ceilings this year. We’ve also seen lots of upholstered walls, and a design device of using curtained fabric around the walls to create a sophisticated, cosy look. Many WOW!house designers have introduced some over-scaled fireplaces to give a focal point to their spaces, from decorative antiques and marble to hand-painted bajmat tiles, mirrors and cleverly upcycled examples. Looking ahead to autumn/winter 2024, design directions are embracing vivacious carnival colours, there are some theatrical references and a play on the past, while comfort and an appreciation of nature will influence our design decisions. September is an exciting time of year here as you can see all the new launches at Focus/24.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE VISITORS TAKE AWAY FROM THEIR EXPERIENCE AT WOW!HOUSE?

The thrill of discovery is something Design Centre strives to bring to every visitor throughout the year. WOW!house is our 500 sq m showhouse, containing 19 full-size rooms and outdoor spaces that have been created with world-class interior designers, working in collaboration with globally recognised design brands and incredible suppliers. Whether you are a design professional or an individual seeking solutions for your own project, visitors will find rooms that intrigue and delight at every turn. It’s thoroughly immersive! We’ve also created WOW!talks and tours to enhance their WOW!house experience. We were delighted that Scott Maddux was a guest speaker at a recent talk hosted by Dezeen on experimental spaces.

WHAT CRITERIA DO YOU CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING NEW DESIGNERS TO JOIN THE DCCH COMMUNITY?

As the home of great design, we love to champion the best at the Design Centre, but it’s important to have a mix. From fabrics to furniture, carpets to kitchens, wallpaper to trimmings, there are now more than 130 showrooms here and over 650 brands. Many brands boast a proud heritage, others have a growing reputation for innovation, outstanding craftsmanship, creative know-how or bespoke work, but all are celebrated for their quality. We are also seeing many considering how they can be more sustainable. Staying true to their values, they never compromise on excellence and offer beautiful designs of lasting value.