Can you briefly describe your own personal design philosophy with your work at DCCH and WOW!house?
As an international design destination, we love to champion the very best at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. Many brands boast a proud heritage, but all are celebrated for their quality, creativity and skilled craftsmanship. Staying true to their values, they never compromise on excellence and deliver designs of lasting value.
WOW!house, our unique showhouse featuring 18 rooms, is close to my heart, and its success since its inception last year has reminded me we can never have enough design inspiration. It showed the world what extraordinary achievements can be made when our industry comes together. A-list designers were able to interpret a room: and the results were astonishing. Given a white box, they layered, complemented and juxtaposed colour, pattern and texture and integrated details such as art and objects to create spaces that by turn amazed and seduced. I think it gives you a real sense that what we’re all looking for is fewer anonymous homes; instead, we crave interesting spaces, brimming with personality and character. As we keep saying, it’s all about having a mix.
Do you collect any kind of objects yourself?
Yes, I have recently renovated my own home and put some inherited objects in storage to allow for work by new artists and craft pieces to complete the new schemes. They include ceramics and mid-century glass with modern art on the walls to complement more traditional oils.
Are there any trends you’re finding in the interior design space this year?
Our homes have become central to our lives and there’s a new energy and optimism about the role of interiors at the moment. Looking ahead to autumn/winter 2023, expect to have some fun. Design directions are embracing vibrant tones in the form of playful colour pops and savannah sunsets. Certain design hallmarks from the past are also making a return: there’s a new-found interest in deco details, the charm of country house redux and the homespun simplicity of Americana, alongside the primitive shapes and authentic textures of studio ceramics, while comfort, wellbeing and relaxation will be at the forefront of our design decisions. September is an exciting time of year here as you can see all the new launches at Focus/23.
Can you tell us about what you look for in artworks? If you consider purchasing a piece, what kind of things do you look for?Â
I approach it as a homemaker, choosing art that will complement the room and add an extra layer and dimension of interest. It has to appeal to all the senses, on every level. I always ask for an expert’s opinion, too.
Your best kept secret in design (that you’d be willing to share)
Considered the fifth wall; ceilings should not just be an afterthought. In fact, a ceiling can be a blank canvas for creativity and experimentation. It’s the new decorative frontier and at WOW!house we encouraged people to ‘look up’! Stylish alternatives to a plain painted finish included tenting, reflective silver cornices and even bespoke thatching.
What role do you see the Design Centre playing in the intersection of art in one’s home? Do you find crossovers between interior design and emerging artists space?
We want to help people discover design, and support those doing it well: from big name brands to emerging makers, as well as highlight the skills they use. Interior design plays a vital role in placing creativity and craftsmanship at the heart of homes. Artefact 2023, our contemporary craft fair, brought the collectible to an audience sourcing unique objects for residential projects, as well as curators and collectors seeking highly individual pieces for institutions and private collections. The Design Centre has also given greater focus to Future Heritage, the forward-looking showcase of makers curated by design journalist and curator Corinne Julius. Alongside next-generation talent, limited edition pieces by independent makers are given top billing. I’m looking forward to this year’s edition(9-13 October) as it has a track record for spotting the next big thing. Work on display will cover a variety of media and disciplines, with several themes emerging, including the natural, the discarded, the combining of historic and new processes and an interest in new forms of lighting.
I approach it as a homemaker, choosing art that will complement the room and add an extra layer and dimension of interest. It has to appeal to all the senses, on every level. I always ask for an expert’s opinion, too.
I approach it as a homemaker, choosing art that will complement the room and add an extra layer and dimension of interest. It has to appeal to all the senses, on every level. I always ask for an expert’s opinion, too.
Claire German has been the Managing Director of Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour for nearly 10 years.
WOW!house, the Design Centre’s specially commissioned 400 sq m showhouse, took place over the whole month of June – and it would probably take that long to take in every colour, pattern, material and design detail in the showhouse, thanks to the outstanding talents of all the designers and brands involved. Everyone had their favourite rooms, but it was the sense of collective effort and the industry coming together that really stole the show.
