Inside WOW!house 2025: Bathroom Sanctuary by 1508 London

As part of this year’s WOW!house showcase at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, 1508 London has unveiled a bathroom retreat in collaboration with House of Rohl. We spoke with Ailsa Connery, Regional Director and Design Principal at the studio, about the inspiration behind the Primary Bathroom concept.

Photos by James McDonald

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A bathroom born from a global perspective

“Our design for the primary bathroom, created in collaboration with the House of Rohl, was rooted in our global design perspective,” says Ailsa Connery, Regional Director and Design Principal at 1508 London. “We work on private residential and hospitality projects around the world, and that international reach allows us to draw on a wealth of regional influence.”

With no house style, 1508 London treats each commission as a unique narrative. 

For the WOW!house primary bathroom, that translated into a deeply personal and restorative setting — a calm, immersive sanctuary designed to support the rhythms of daily life. “We imagined it as a space to reset,” she says, “whether at the beginning of the day or in the quiet moments before it ends.”

Ritual, Reflection and Reverie

At 1508 London, each design begins with a conceptual foundation. For the WOW!house primary bathroom, that framework centred on three guiding principles: Ritual, Reflection, and Reverie. “These themes shaped every decision we made,” says Connery. “From the central shower — conceived as a statement moment — to the way light interacts with surfaces throughout the day.”

Lighting plays an especially powerful role in the room. A soft, upward glow washes the ceiling, inspired by the atmospheric lighting of Middle Eastern interiors — most notably, the carefully controlled luminance of a traditional hammam.

There are also distinctly British influences: the floor, crafted from fossilised limestone by Britannicus Stone, grounds the room in a deep material heritage. “It’s millions of years old,” notes Connery, “and speaks to the level of craftsmanship we love to celebrate in our work.”

Curves and craftsmanship

At the centre of the bathroom stands the sculptural bath by Victoria + Albert, created in collaboration with British artist Sophie Elizabeth Thompson. “This collection is all about movement,” explains Connery. “

The bath’s sinuous silhouette is echoed throughout the space, from the matching vanity to the liquid bronze basin stand, custom-designed with Anka Bespoke. “It has this burnished warmth that adds depth and richness,” she adds.

Layered senses: scent, art and stillness

Every detail in the room is designed to appeal to senses. In collaboration with Jo Malone London, 1508 London curated a scent that enhances the room’s atmosphere. “Bathrooms are about physical and emotional cleansing — and scent is a powerful part of that.”

The space also features two bespoke ceramic artworks by Paynes Grey, created specifically for the room. “They’re hand-cut, layered, and full of movement,” Ailsa notes. “They speak to our values of craftsmanship and also visually connect to the fluid forms of the "Seiros" bath and basin collection”

A quiet luxury

To add another layer of character, the team introduced a quiet dressing moment — anchored by the ethereal Cloud Mirror with its reflective, ethereal type qualities. A Porta Romana console table was reimagined as a vanity, complete with carefully chosen accessories.