Ahead of WOW!House 2026, we sat down with interior designer Henri Fitzwilliam-Lay to talk about narrative, material integrity and why hardware is the crowning jewel of a well-considered space.
Henri Fitzwilliam-Lay is an interior designer known for creating spaces that feel personal, layered and deeply considered. Her work draws on a broad range of references, historical, cultural, material, and brings them together with a clarity that makes even the most expressive rooms feel entirely liveable.
For WOW!House 2026 at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, Henri has designed a bedroom that weaves together Art Deco, African design influences and a thread of Brutalism into a scheme of real confidence and warmth.
We spoke to her about the brief, the process and what she looks for when hardware really matters.
Your interiors often feel deeply narrative-led. Where does a project typically begin for you?
It typically begins with our client, understanding how they want to live in their home. The sense of narrative in our work stems from those early conversations, where we consider how the space should feel and function room to room. With WOW!House, the narrative was more distilled, focusing on one room rather than a whole home.
How would you describe your approach to balancing bold visual statements with long-term liveability?
Bold designs are easy to live with if they aren’t driven by trends. The key is making sure the decor doesn’t inhibit how the space functions every day.
Can you tell us about your concept for the room at WOW!House this year? What was the starting point?
We love mixing different eras and influences in our work and I think this translates particularly well for this project. I wanted to show a modern interpretation of Art Deco using the influences of African design and also inject an element of Brutalism. These eras have been covered lately in film and exhibitions but both are personal favourites of mine as well.
Were there particular materials, textures or references that shaped the scheme?
Our starting point was our sponsor, Misia. We spent time going through their collection and found a thread that represented their Art Deco image within a contemporary framework. From there, the choice of materials and objects developed quite naturally.
WOW!House rooms are often highly expressive. How do you ensure they still feel grounded and considered?
These rooms designed to inspire. Even though they are temporary they still need to work as the room is intended to be. In a hotel suite, for example, there are certain expectations, a bed, storage cupboard and then once these are established creativity can reign.
To what extent do you think details such as hardware influence the overall success of a space?
They are very important as far as functionality, and can be treated as the crowning jewels of the space.
When selecting elements like door furniture or handles, what are you looking for beyond aesthetics?
Hardware must be hard-wearing, that is first and foremost . It's a feature you don't often replace, so it’s worth investing in pieces that are well-made and age gracefully to always feel relevant in a home.
How important is craftsmanship in your work, and how do you bring that through in your specifications?
Craftsmanship is essential to any project, it is one of the clearest indicators of quality. When something has been carefully made, you can see and feel it immediately. It also brings a source of pride, both for the maker and the owner, which adds another layer of value. We value our relationships with suppliers and makers and nurture these to ensure we achieve the results we want.
What do you feel designers and clients are valuing more in interiors today than perhaps they were five years ago?
The conversation that has been brought up with more intensity year by year is sustainability. Clients are thinking not only of its environmental impact, also about longevity and their health. They are choosing materials that last, and avoid items that are overly synthetic or disposable.
A material you’re consistently drawn to?
Jute is a brilliant material, very hardy, biodegradable, and has loads of different applications.
WOW!House 2026 is open from 2 June to 2 July at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. Entry is open to all and tickets can be booked via the Design Centre's website. To discuss bespoke hardware for your own project, get in touch with the team.
