Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we take a look at WOW!house 2025, the Collection of Philip Astley-Jones, and Easter Treasures. Written by Natalie Aldridge.

London Design Week: WOW!house 2025

Brace yourselves, design lovers! Kicking off London Design Week 2025, WOW!house is back and this year promises to be more jaw-dropping than ever. Tucked inside the Design Avenue at London’s Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, this immersive, full-scale showhouse is the stuff design dreams are made of. Think 600 square meters of pure inspiration, with 22 fully decorated rooms and outdoor spaces, each brought to life by top-tier designers, iconic brands, and masterful suppliers.

 

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Since its debut in 2022, WOW!house has become the must-see event of the summer design season. A spellbinding showcase where creativity runs wild and every inch is Instagram-worthy (but also beautifully livable). Each room feels like a portal into another world, thoughtfully conceived and exquisitely executed, whether it’s the coziest sitting room or the most transportive garden terrace.

Each year Wow!house has raised the bar with new additions like the Legend Room and a swoon-worthy Terrace. This year’s edition is poised to take it even further. It’s not just about the interiors. It’s a celebration of collaboration, philanthropy, and the sheer joy of design.

 

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At The Glam Pad, we’ve walked through our fair share of showhouses, but WOW!house always lives up to its name. We can’t wait to see what magic 2025 brings, and trust us, you’ll want to be there to experience it for yourself. Wow!house opens to the public June 3rd. Tickets can be purchased here!

The Collection of Philip Astley-Jones

On April 9th, Dreweatts in London offered a dazzling glimpse into a life devoted to beauty, rarity, and the art of collecting. The auction featured the personal collection of the late Philip Astley-Jones, a legendary figure in the antiques world whose discerning eye and elegant taste shaped decades of decorative arts dealing. Most recently housed in The Old Rectory in Aston le Walls, the country home he shared with his partner, jeweler Johnnie Lloyd Morgan, the collection is a treasure trove of fine art, furniture, and objets d’art. Each piece reflects Astley-Jones’s deep curiosity and his gift for spotting the extraordinary. We are absolutely loving the selection, each item a testament to a refined sensibility and a life immersed in the decorative arts.

Philip Astley-Jones began his career in 1965 under the mentorship of the great Roger Warner, who famously taught him “to look, to see.” That training stayed with him throughout an incredible international career that took him from opening his own business to heading Sotheby’s furniture department in Los Angeles, and later to positions in Amsterdam, Paris, and Monte Carlo. Back in the UK, he spent nearly twenty years at Hatfields Restoration, working alongside Philip Hewat-Jaboor. Though he eventually retired, Philip Astley-Jones never truly stopped collecting. As Lloyd Morgan shared, he continued to buy and sell “very quietly” while remaining joyfully prolific.

This auction was a celebration of a life lived in pursuit of beauty and craftsmanship, and we can’t get enough. Take a peek at some of our favorites from the sale!

Easter Treasures

Easter is just around the corner, and we’ve been excitedly gathering the loveliest finds to help you celebrate in style. From sweet little treasures to tuck into baskets, to beautiful tableware and whimsical décor perfect for brunch and beyond, we’re rounding up all the charming details that make this springtime holiday feel extra special. Whether you’re hosting, gifting, or simply adding a touch of seasonal joy to your home, we’ve got you covered!

Read our favorite articles of the week!

The Most Fascinating Finds at the 65th New York International Antiquarian Book Fair written by Osman Can Yerebakan for Galerie Magazine.

Six Things I Learned From Aerin Lauder About Flowers written by Jill Simpson for Frederic.

This Greek Revival Manse in Nashville Does Blue and Green Right written by Katherine Owen for Veranda.

Shop this week’s inspired finds!

Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we take a look at a recap of Round Top, Flower Couture by Cordelia De Castellane, and the Lake Forest Showhouse and Gardens. Written by Natalie Aldridge.

Round Top Recap with Society Social

Twice a year, the tiny Texas town of Round Top, home to just 90 residents on a typical day, transforms into an antiques mecca, swelling to a few hundred thousand as collectors, designers, and treasure hunters descend for the Round Top Antiques Festival.

Stretching over 11 miles along Texas State Highway 237, this legendary event is the largest antiques show in the country, and the first of 2025 wrapped up in spectacular fashion. To mark the occasion, Society Social and photographer Nick Mele brought their signature flair to Round Top, hosting an evening of dinner, drinks, and a Texas-sized dose of extravagance.

The duo has also teamed up to create Nick Mele x Society Social Pause Life, Play Games, a game room furniture collection that’s as stylish as it is fun. Launched in January, the whimsical lineup features eight nostalgic designs, all available in customizable upholstery and finishes—because, let’s be honest, playing in style is half the fun!

The celebration unfolded in the effortlessly cool surroundings of Rancho Pillow, where industry tastemakers, friends, and members of the chic set gathered for a night to remember. With its signature mix of Southern hospitality and high design, Round Top once again proved that when it comes to antiques and a good party, everything really is bigger in Texas. Click here for additional information on The Round Top Antiques Fair and to purchase tickets for upcoming events.

Flower Couture by Cordelia De Castellane

French tastemaker and artistic director for Dior Maison and Baby Dior, Cordelia de Castellane, is back with another dose of effortless Parisian charm. This time she is turning her attention from interiors to the great outdoors. In Flower Couture: From My Garden to My House, she invites readers into the lush, flower-filled world of her private country retreat, proving that a garden isn’t just a place to admire but an endless muse for entertaining, decorating, and infusing daily life with beauty.

A follow-up to her beloved Life in a French Country House, this book takes us through the seasons in her garden, each chapter dedicated to the vibrant hues of her favorite blooms. Cordelia shares her signature approach to floral arrangements, table settings, and the art of hosting, all with that unmistakable je ne sais quoi of French living. From spring’s delicate pastels to the deep, moody tones of autumn, every page is a masterclass in making nature the star of your gatherings.

Beyond its dreamy visuals, Flower Couture is filled with practical tips. From how to compose the perfect bouquet to  arranging an al fresco dinner worthy of a Dior campaign, she truly shows how to embrace the French philosophy of joie de vivre, one impeccably placed flower at a time. Readers will be inspired to bring a little of Cordelia refined-yet-relaxed aesthetic into their own homes, whether they have sprawling grounds or a simple windowsill herb garden.

Published by Rizzoli with photography by Billal Taright, whose lens captures the romance of Cordelia’s world with cinematic flair, this book is a must-have for design lovers, aspiring floral stylists, and anyone who believes that the best moments in life are set against a backdrop of nature’s finest.

Lake Forest Showhouse and Gardens

The 2025 Infant Welfare Society Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens is shaping up to be a must-see. This year’s setting is a breathtaking 1895 Georgian-style estate by Henry Ives Cobb, complete with 30 grand rooms, English walled gardens, and all the architectural splendor we adore. In 1935 the home was given a refresh by famed architect David Adler. He added a pool, pool house, tennis court, and warming hut, adding to the splendor of this incredible home.

Now, more than 45 top interior designers and landscape artists will work their magic on the 15,000-square-foot mansion and its 3.5 acres, marking the 20th edition of this beloved event. And as if that weren’t enough, Mary McDonald, award-winning interior designer, Million Dollar Decorators alum, and all-around style icon will serve as Honorary Chair. She’ll sit down with Dara Caponigro, Chief Creative Officer of Schumacher, for a conversation on design, inspiration, and the art of living beautifully.

Guests will get to tour the Showhouse, enjoy a light lunch from SPACE 519’s The Lunchroom, and take home an advance copy of Glorious Gardens: Private Edens of the World’s Leading Interior Designers. If you love great design (or just a peek inside a truly spectacular home), consider this your invitation! The showhouse will be open April 26th through May 25th. Tickets can be purchased here! 

Read our favorite articles of the week!

Tour Rosanna Bossom’s Cozy, Personality-Filled London Home written by Fiona McCarthy for Frederic.

These Are the 40 Most Beautiful Gardens in the World written by Sarah Dimarco for Veranda.

Shop this week’s inspired finds!

x Natalie

Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we take a look at Flower Magazine’s Flower of the Year, Embracing Beauty by Beth Webb, and La Veste’s pop-up in London. Written by Natalie Aldridge.

Flower Magazine’s Flower of the Year: Levante Rosa Anemone

Lifestyle magazine Flower has crowned the Levante Rosa Anemone as its 2025 Flower of the Year, celebrating its frothy pink petals, striking black eye, and all-around scene-stealing charm!

Spearheaded by Flower’s founder and editor-in-chief Margot Shaw, this inaugural selection was determined by a panel of design luminaries including floral maestro Lewis Miller, interiors icon Charlotte Moss, landscape visionary Ben Page, and jewelry designer Mish Tworkowski, to name a few. Their mission was to choose a bloom that not only dazzles in arrangements but also plays well with the refined interiors gracing Flower’s pages.

More than just a title, the Flower of the Year program shines a well-deserved spotlight on standout blooms, offering fresh inspiration for designers and floral enthusiasts alike. Developed by Biancheri Creazioni in Italy’s Riviera dei Fiori, the Levante Rosa is a lesser-known gem within the beloved anemone family. It is elegant yet playful, beautifully fragrant, and surprisingly hardy. Whether stealing the show solo or mingling effortlessly in arrangements, it’s a bloom with presence.

To kick off this year’s Flower of the Year, Flower Magazine has put together their top tips for cutting and arranging the Levante Rosa Anemone. See below!

1. Anemones last up to 5 days in a cut arrangement and vase.
2. Anemones drink lots of water! Ensure your vase has plenty of water, and refresh and trim stems every other day for optimal freshness and health.
3. Use a knife when cutting anemone stems, as scissors can crush their delicate, hollow stems.
4. Oh no! Did life get in the way, and your arrangement is feeling parched and neglected? Try submerging the blooms in cool water for 30 minutes. You may be able to revive them! Anemones continue to grow after they’re cut (like tulips). They are also nyctinastic, meaning they can open and close in response to light and temperature. Do not be surprised if they close at night or on cloudy, chilly days.
5. If you need anemones to open up quickly, cut the stems and place them in warm water and in a sunny location. Alternatively, if you need to extend their vase life, keep them cool or in the refrigerator overnight.

Embracing Beauty by Beth Webb

Designer Beth Webb has a way with light. It pours into her spaces like a welcome guest, illuminating every carefully chosen surface, dancing across whisper-soft linens, and deepening the patina of a well-loved antique. In her long-awaited second book, Embracing Beauty: Serene Spaces for Living, balance is everything, and beauty is meant to be lived in.

With the eye of an art dealer and the soul of a poet, Webb creates interiors that feel like sanctuaries. Across fourteen homes, stretching from the coastal calm of Sea Island, Georgia, to the rugged romance of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, she layers like no other, composing spaces that are at once ethereal and deeply grounded.

It’s all about contrast, tension, and the quiet dialogue between light and dark, smooth and rough, old and new. But her work isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about feeling. These are rooms designed for gathering, for resting, for simply being. And in a world that rarely slows down, that is perhaps the ultimate luxury.

Her own home, nestled beneath ancient oaks in Brays Island, South Carolina, is a masterclass in restraint. A mix of stone, wood, and glass dissolves into the landscape, creating a retreat of rare beauty. Each of her projects is guided by inspiration from art, history, and travel, but most importantly, by the way her clients want to live.

This book is an invitation, not just to admire but to notice the play of light, the power of texture, and the beauty in the everyday. And in true Beth Webb fashion, it reminds us that a well-designed home isn’t just a collection of lovely things; it’s a world of its own, waiting to be lived in.

Embracing Beauty by Beth Webb is available for purchase here!

Embracing Beauty: Serene Spaces for Living