This June, WOW!house returns to the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour for its fifth year, showcasing a stunning array of talent from both up-and-coming and established designers. The event features a meticulously curated 'house' that serves as a creative hub for anyone passionate about exquisite design.
This year's showhouse consists of 21 distinct rooms, inviting visitors to explore it like a real home. From the charming front garden to the inviting back terrace, guests can wander through drawing rooms, libraries, bars, salons, bedrooms, bathrooms, and more. Each space is a true source of inspiration, with designers available to discuss the ideas and concepts that brought their visions to life.
Attendees will encounter some of the most exciting design trends, including bold colors, intriguing textures, and fresh patterns along with innovative spatial arrangements. The experience is a visual delight as you transition between rooms that both contrast and complement each other, creating a fully immersive experience.
Here are the most significant trends we've observed during our sneak preview of this year's showhouse.
1. Tassels, Trims, and Fringe
Fringe has seen a resurgence in popularity, making appearances throughout history. From its lavish use in the 1800s to the casual bohemian style of the 1970s, it has now returned to add subtle interest to sofas, drapes, throw pillows, and even furniture pieces at WOW!house 2026.
In the Garden Folly Room designed by Studio Enass (left), our Next in Design 2025 winner, the opulent deep red space is layered with textures, featuring an emerald green cocktail table adorned with bullion fringe at its center. Tassels and passementerie were also incorporated into bolster cushions, blinds, and even hung from the elegant glass wall sconces.
Meanwhile, fringe adorned sofas, replacing last year's trend of skirted designs, especially in the serene sea-blue Philip Jefferies Morning Room, crafted by Sara Cosgrove (right), and the cleverly named Withdrawing Room by Zardi & Zardi and Sean Symington Design, which also showcased tassels on the drapes.
2. Playful Primary Palettes
This year's event is bursting with color. While deep purples and uplifting blues and greens are prominent, the Benjamin Moore Minhwa Salon by Young Huh (above) truly showcases a vibrant explosion of color and pattern.
The salon contrasts beautifully with the moody ambiance of the Shepel' Library by Róisín Lafferty. The salon was designed as an exhibition space for a collector who enjoys hosting, featuring lacquered walls adorned with 55 inset boxes, each painted in bold colors or showcasing hand-painted murals by Fromental, inspired by Minhwa, a traditional Korean folk art.
While you won't find many of Benjamin Moore's familiar neutrals here (though the classic Chantilly Lace serves as a perfect backdrop for the vibrant hues), the more playful shades shine through, with Galápagos Turquoise paired with zesty Citron, while bright orange Picante beautifully clashes with Jade Garden.
3. Shells and Sea-Inspired Shapes
Shell motifs have made a comeback since the launch of summer collections earlier this year. This timeless design element has evolved into more elegant versions, making their way into various new collections, which is why their presence at WOW!house is no surprise.
For instance, in the Garden Folly Room by Studio Enass (right), a beautiful shell mosaic frames the doorway, subtly inviting you to admire the craftsmanship. The exquisite Reverie pendant by Gladee Lighting, suspended in the center of the room, draws inspiration from the fluted shape of a scallop shell.
Shells and aquatic motifs also feature in the Philip Jeffries Morning Room, designed by Sara Cosgrove (left). These elements manifest as artwork and shell-shaped decor on the coffee table, while more subtle references include the Aura mural, which envelops the room in an ethereal, water-like print. The milky glass Fiore wall lights by Pure White Lines also take on a shell-like form.
4. Beautiful Bookcases
Describing the aesthetic of a personal library as 'bookshelf wealth' may be a new trend, but the concept itself is ages old, as demonstrated throughout the rooms in WOW!house.
The Salvesen Graham The Collection Primary Bedroom (left) offers a glimpse into the personality of its creator. Here, the bookshelf is intentionally uncoordinated, exuding a lived-in feel that enriches the overall texture of the space.
When asked to sum up the room in one word, Mary and Nicole immediately chose 'layered', which naturally influenced the design of the bookshelves. Artwork isn't just placed among the books; it's hung directly on the shelves for added visual interest.
The Zardi & Zardi Withdrawing Room, designed by Sean Symington Design (right), also embraces the idea of layering and features characterful bookcases displaying artwork hung directly from the shelves. The bookcases are painted in the perfect shade of green—Sage by Benjamin Moore—which proves that a bookcase can be a striking feature without being a neutral backdrop. This earthy hue complements the colorful spines of the books without overwhelming the room.
5. Curves
Curves were a dominant theme throughout the showhouse. Curved sofas and a burl wood desk can be found in the Black Edition at Romo Speakeasy Salon, designed by Studio Duggan; in fact, there were no straight lines to be found here. This design choice creates a natural flow, making the space both functional and inviting, whether for relaxation, work, or hosting gatherings, without feeling compartmentalized.
The Lalique Home Bar by Elicyon (left) also embraces curves. Through an arched entrance, you enter a softly illuminated room with elegant Art Deco influences that reflect Lalique's French heritage.
Surprisingly, the Martin Moore Kitchen designed by Samantha Bartlett (right) also features many curved elements. Every cabinet edge and countertop is rounded, creating a tactile and inviting space, which can be difficult to achieve in functional areas.
The design draws inspiration from nature and natural light, with a muted green and dark wood palette complemented by the enchanting Ivy Shadow Chandelier by Tord Boontje for Porto Romana, which appears to grow gracefully from the ceiling. The abundance of curves enhances the organic feel of the room.
6. Aubergine Hues
This year, aubergine emerged as the standout shade at WOW!house 2026. Luxurious and moody, this deep hue is perfect for enveloping a room, transitioning from a bold choice to a popular option seen in various designs—more aubergine kitchen cabinets are now appearing than sage green ones in 2026.
At WOW!house, the first encounter with this sumptuous shade occurs in the Black Edition at Romo Speakeasy Salon by Studio Duggan (left). Here, you step through rich, deep purple drapes into a compact space adorned with a deep purply-brown linen-blend wallcovering that offers a subtle sheen. The sofa, upholstered in plush aubergine velvet, is complemented by table lamps crafted from red-tinged marble. While the space may seem intense, the dark tones are pleasantly offset by a vibrant, almost lime-green carpet.
The deep purple hues continue in the Parlour designed by Martin Kemp Design (right), where layers of suspended fabrics reveal the room gradually as you explore. The design invites a closer examination, showcasing a pair of curved purple sofas contrasting with a geometrically shaped coffee table, blending vintage and contemporary styles.
You can even spot pops of aubergine in the Benjamin Moore Minhwa Salon designed by Young Huh, where the vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds are grounded by Benjamin Moore's Grape Juice.
7. Vacation-Inspired Bathrooms
All the bathrooms at WOW!house 2026 share a common theme: each is inspired by a unique vacation destination. For instance, the Samuel Heath Primary Bathroom, designed by Rigby & Rigby (right), immerses guests in a space reminiscent of Scandinavian and Japanese wellness retreats. The centerpiece is a large, round Japanese ofuro bath, accompanied by the calming aroma of Japanese cedarwood. The room's tactile finishes reflect its inspirations, with timber-clad walls nodding to Scandinavian design and lattice motifs on the ceiling inspired by traditional Japanese shoji screens.
Another escape is found in the Ca' Pietra Bathroom by De Rosee Sa (left), which transports you to the Mediterranean coast, particularly in June during the 1970s. The color palette features warm, earthy summer shades, showcasing Ca' Pietra's honed marble in a stunning rose-tinted 'Versailles Rouge' used for the double sink and bath, contrasted by dramatic dark-veined marble on the baseboards. Glass wall lights from Valerie Wade add an extra touch of 1970s glamour to the design.
WOW!house is a treasure trove of inspiration from top designers and iconic brands. It also serves as a platform for practical takeaways that can be applied to real homes. The key trends this year, while stunningly executed, are attainable; you can find elements in each room that could enhance your own space, whether it be a color, a texture, a shape, or a concept.
WOW!house runs at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour from June 2 to July 2. You can get your tickets here.
