© Milo Brown Key Takeaways from WOW!house 2025 Books as a Work of Art Philip Jeffries Study by Staffan Tollgård Books to Evoke a Sense of Place Perennials and Sutherland Courtyard by Goddard Littlefair Books to Inspire and Reinforce Narrative Stark 'The Curator’s Room' by Brigitta Spinocchia Freund Books as Expressions of Identity Cox London Entrance Hall by Victoria Davar Why do book collections matter? Book a consultation with a ~personal curator Contact Quick Links Follow us @ultimatelibrary Join our community
The Role of Books in WOW!house 2025
2 Jul 2025
This summer saw the return of the award-winning showhouse at Design Centre London —and as ever, books play a quietly powerful role, thoughtfully woven into the fabric of each room. Understanding that books spark conversations, designers have used them not just as decorative accents, but as an intentional part of the design language – to extend narrative, evoke a sense of place, and express identity.
Here are four standout ways we saw books deepen the design stories at WOW!house 2025.
~
Staffan Tollgård
’s design philosophy is shaped by two guiding principles: the pursuit of the red thread—a project’s creative DNA—and a commitment to crafting functional sculpture. Both are brought vividly to life in the Philip Jeffries Study. Here, books are elevated to sculptural status, displayed within the Ceccotti Collezioni Golden Cage where open titles seem to float in space—inviting visual curiosity and emotional connection. The installation, created in partnership with Ultimate Library, becomes a layered expression of design as narrative, with each book contributing to the story. Rendered in a palette of burnt orange, the titles themselves become Staffan’s red thread—a recurring motif in his work that captures the creative influences, cultural references, and personal inspirations shaping his vision. In this space, literature is more than content—it becomes a tactile, conceptual, and deeply personal experience.
In the Perennials and Sutherland Courtyard, designed by Goddard Littlefair, books contribute to an atmosphere steeped in the sun-drenched textures of Southern Spain. Titles like
Vanished Spain
and
Cabinet of Natural Curiosities
sit among soft apricot tones, rustic clay hues, and arching pergolas. More than thematic gestures, these books – chosen by Ultimate Library – ground the space in a sensory landscape and reinforce the Mediterranean spirit behind Goddard Littlefair’s recent hospitality project, Gran Marbella Resort & Beachclub. Together, they help the courtyard feel like a moment stolen from a Spanish summer.
In the Stark 'The Curator’s Room' by Brigitta Spinocchia Freund, the concept is clear: this is a space dedicated entirely to female creators. Inspired by two landmark art books,
Ninth Street Women
by Mary Gabriel and
The Story of Art Without Men
by Katy Hessel, Spinocchia Freund reflects on the absence of women in design history. The room's narrative is carried through every element—from a custom 'Tribute' rug inscribed with the names of 87 female artists and designers, to the ottoman by fashion icon Luella Bartley and Hand & Lock. Overflowing piles of art surveys and monographs on Vanessa Bell, Eileen Gray, Cecily Brown, Tracey Emin and Jenny Saville, act as quiet affirmations of purpose. These volumes are are integral to the room’s message, underscoring the space’s tribute to creative women in both form and content.
Victoria Davar of Maison Artefact designed the Cox London Entrance Hall as the imagined threshold of a grand château belonging to an artist—someone living with and through their art. That vision runs through every element of the room, from the Hackney Mosaic Project floor to contemporary pieces from artists supported by WOW!house’s charity partner. The books are no exception. Lined across the shelves, titles like
Modigliani Unmasked
,
The Art of the Mosaic
, and
Soft Minimal
speak to an eclectic, searching spirit. Every element in the room articulates the imagination that brought it to life.
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We believe in the power of books to create a sense of place and new perspectives. Our bespoke book collections have a great impact on a guest’s overall experience of a hotel or resort. It’s small extras like books in rooms and library spaces that make a guest’s stay extra special, and many of our clients receive high praise for their book collections. For private clients they make a house their home.
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