From architectural legacy to interior design
In the mid-19th century, in the heart of London, the three visionary founders of Watts 1874, architects G.F. Bodley, Thomas Garner and George Gilbert Scott Jr., sought to restore beauty, proportion and craftsmanship to architecture at a time when the Industrial Age threatened aesthetic values.
They championed a return to artistic integrity, drawing inspiration from Medieval, Gothic and Renaissance sources while elevating decorative arts to the same importance as structural design. Their vision united architecture, interiors and ornament into a harmonious, holistic art form, where every motif, material and pattern contributed to a cultured and timeless way of living.
Across the Channel, Paris was undergoing its own architectural renaissance. Under the reign of Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann’s monumental transformation (1852–1870) reshaped the city into a masterpiece of urban harmony and luminous perspectives through a network of grands boulevards and stately façades. This new Paris of order, symmetry and refinement captured the imagination of designers and architects across Europe.
The founders of Watts, aligned with the artistic currents of their time, may well have found inspiration in this Haussmannian vision of grandeur and modernity, where architecture became not only functional but also an expression of civilisation itself.
Today, that same spirit endures. More than 150 years later, Watts 1874 remains a family-owned company, a testament to creative legacy and enduring craftsmanship. Having gracefully navigated the transitions of style and era, the house has evolved from architectural beginnings to a leading name in interior design and decorative arts, blending British elegance with bold artistry.
In January 2026, Watts 1874 is returning to Paris Déco Off for the third time, a fitting tribute to its origins and to the city whose luminous creativity and architectural splendour continue to inspire; a perfect dialogue between London heritage and the timeless allure of Paris, capital of art, fashion and design. This journey to the City of Lights starts at St Pancras London hotel, on one of the founder’s steps. Since 1873, St.Pancras has been more than a landmark, a keeper of history, design and quiet grandeur. Once the Midland Grand Hotel, it remains a symbol of craftsmanship that endures through time, holding within it countless stories. At the top of the staircase, the building tells its story. Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, the space draws on his ecclesiastical background, with light, ironwork and symbolism working together. You can almost feel the years that have passed through. The kind of architecture that makes you pause, even on the busiest day, before continuing the journey, on a train to Paris.
Marie-Séverine de Caraman Chimay & Robert Hoare in the stairwell at St. Pancras Station