Interiors Little Black Book: Kit Kemp
The most interesting interiors shop is in Devonshire Street, Marylebone, and it’s called Evoke. I actually found this shop coming back from the dentist. It is filled with interesting weaves and ceramics, and hand-carved wood that could easily be converted into coffee tables.
The item I regret not buying is a Lynn Chadwick sculpture. I knew Lyn for many years and loved his work. I cannot imagine why I never bought a sculpture. Now I could not afford to buy one.
Next on my shopping list is a Cox London chandelier. We are having two especially made for our latest newbuild, Warren Street Hotel in Tribeca, Manhattan. They will look like a woodland scene.
My favourite vintage piece is my gypsy caravan. It is an authentic one found in Dorset. Whole families would roam the countryside in these caravans pulled by a horse. There is a stove and a pull-out bed. It’s very romantic and colourful.
The most recent item I bought for my home is one of my rugs from my collaboration with US company Annie Selke.
The best department store in the world for homewares is Bergdorf Goodman in New York. It’s such an iconic store which represents unique style and luxury. In November 2021 we redesigned a new restaurant on the lower level of the department store using our signature fabrics and soft furnishings. The restaurant celebrates art and design with a curated and changing selection of artworks on display.
The best destination for independent designers and makers is The New Craftsmen. I visit the shop at 34 North Row, Mayfair for instant inspiration. You will find charming pieces of British craftsmanship and individual design you won’t find anywhere else. A fabulous destination!
The coolest under-the-radar brand is Fine Cell Work, a charity and social enterprise which trains prisoners in paid, skilled and creative needlework as part of their rehabilitation. I am always championing crafts and beautiful handiwork, and their work is of a superb quality as they are taught by skilled volunteers, including members of the Embroiderers and Quilters Guild.
The best vintage stores in the world are just outside London. Epsom Market is a favourite of mine for vintage furniture pieces and accessories.
The best interiors gift I’ve ever received is a sculpture from sculptor Tony Cragg – it is Corten steel and weighs a ton. As it’s so heavy, it’s impossible to move and you can’t touch it without gloves as you will spoil the patina. Once it’s in position, it must stay! It is in my living room, so I enjoy it every day. We first came across Tony Cragg when he created a piece for the courtyard at Ham Yard Hotel.
For tableware I buy from Wedgwood, as everything tastes better on fine china. We have worked with Wedgwood to create two dinner services, ‘Mythical Creatures’ and ‘Sailor’s Farewell’. Mythical Creatures was based upon a collection of embroidered fabrics produced for Chelsea Textiles and has been applied to bone china creating a unique, illustrative style. Sailor’s Farewell is a story on a plate and shows a sailor’s loved one as she waves goodbye on a rock with her scarf flying in the wind.
For bedlinen you can’t beat crisp white bed linen from our Firmdale Sleep range. We recently joined creative forces with Annie Selke to produce a magnificent assortment of rugs, pillows, and bedding.
For glassware at all of our hotels in London and New York you will find the 'Soho' style glass, which is a collaboration with John Jenkins, one of the leading designers and suppliers of crystal and glass. We have also created a new collection with Spode.
I have long been inspired by the work and creativity of the Bloomsbury group – Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant in particular. I was lucky enough to start collecting their art when we designed the Charlotte Street hotel. There are two panels painted on wood in the Library by Vanessa Bell and also a small painting of a bowl of flowers by Roger Fry that I particularly love. Philip Mould’s Gallery recently had a wonderful Bloomsbury exhibition.
My favourite fabrics are by Christopher Farr and Andrew Martin. Chelsea Textiles specialises in beautiful bespoke, hand-embroidered textiles. It is a family run business, founded in 1990 by our friend Mona Perlhagen.
For furniture, I buy from Andrew Martin. It’s a design emporium on Walton Street in London, founded by Martin Waller in the late 1970s. Entering the shop is like disappearing into a magical wonderland of desirable and quirky furniture, and all sorts of weird and wonderful things for the home.
For lighting, I love to go to Porta Romana, which is a British brand creating unique handcrafted lighting and furniture. We collaborated with Porta Romana to create the Rocking Robin light collection as well as the Ridley Lamp, which is finished in Sailor’s Farewell. Another favourite is Vaughan Lighting. Both are at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour.
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