WOW!house has rapidly established itself as a focal point on the London design calendar, and while the products and suppliers are the backbone of the house, it also shines a well-designed light on collaboration, innovation and craftsmanship. Increasingly it is the dynamic conversations that take place, that are as integral to the event as the design details waiting to be discovered in every corner and on every surface.
This year House of Rohl again rose to the challenge of Principal Bathroom and, in collaboration with 1508 London, delivered the three R’s – with the concepts of ritual, revitalise and reverie providing the touchpoints in a design narrative that engaged all of our sensory faculties, from lighting through to scent – resulting in a beautifully curated wellness space.
“We’ve worked with House of Rohl on a number of successful projects, having found that we share the same essential values: attention to detail, exceptional craftsmanship, and a deep appreciation for storytelling.” Ailsa Connery, Regional Director and Design Principal for Europe at 1508 London.
The evening’s conversation was caught on film, with the panel discussion, titled: How global trends are influencing contemporary bathroom design, moderated by Meghan Taylor, Deputy Editor of Hotel Designs.
On the panel:
Paul Brackley, Founder & CEO, Kinsfolk & Co
Ailsa Connery, Design Director, Regional Director Europe, 1508 London
Declan Aldridge, Industrial Designer, Victoria and Albert Baths
Paris Albert, Architect and Associate Designer, 1508 London
The discussion explored how cultural rituals, from Nordic simplicity to Japanese mindfulness, are being thoughtfully interpreted and woven into distinctly British design narratives. Within this context, designers are taking a more nuanced approach – maintaining core design principles while drawing on global sensibilities to tell new, emotionally resonant stories.
The House of Rohl bathroom from the 1508 London drawing board, shaped by a design philosophy of ritual, reverie, and revitalisation, illustrated the points perfectly. What was clear from both the conversation, and the Principal Bathroom that was waiting to be discovered downstairs, is that while wellness is possibly the most far reaching global design trend impacting on bathroom design, it is equally not limited to the hotel bathroom and spa. In the realm of hospitality, wellness needs to be the thread that runs through every touchpoint – from lighting and materiality to the emotional connection a guest feels in a space.
Image credit: James McDonald
With these points in mind and drinks in hand, guests went on to enjoy an exclusive tour of the exhibition with the designers, ensuring that we could all dig a little deeper into those design details. Having been given a deeper insight into the thought process underpinning the concepts of ritual, revitalise and reverie, we were able to appreciate the nuances of every carefully placed element in this bathroom. Through a successful collaboration of product, design and materiality, the bathroom achieved that delicate balance between innovation and timelessness, and between the hyper-local and the internationally inspired, which has become so central to creating meaningful spaces in hospitality.
House of Rohl is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: James McDonald