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Kit Kemp Design Studio

@kitkempdesignthread

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Design studio and online home store @shopkitkemp by Creative Director & Founder of @firmdale_hotels Kit Kemp.

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Colour blocking is all about placing distinct areas of colour side by side to create contrast, rhythm and visual interest. Rather than blending tones softly together, it celebrates clear boundaries and confident combinations. We often use colour blocking to bring the architecture of a room to life. From alcoves, niches and ceiling lines to joinery and furniture, colour can turn features into focal points. @hamyard_hotel, our Kit’s Wing Chairs are appliquéd in contrasting blue and yellow, with bold blocks of primary colour defining their shape and giving them a stronger presence in the lobby. Over @warrenstreet_hotel, yellow brings an uplifting energy to the lobby, while grounding greens create a sense of calm and balance as you move through the hotel. Ultimately, colour blocking is about adding character, warmth and individuality and sometimes, one unexpected flash of colour is all it takes to completely transform a space. Discover more about our approach to colour blocking on the blog, via the link in bio.

📷 @simonbrownphotography by @kitkempdesignthread

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5 days ago

A very special lunch with the wonderful @louisepennyauthor! It had always been an ambition of mine to meet the author behind the much-loved Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, so I was absolutely thrilled to meet Louise for lunch @hamyard_hotel.

We chatted about books, writing, Three Pines and the inspiration behind her unforgettable stories. And, as if that wasn’t exciting enough, I was given an advance copy of Miss Wolcott’s Ghost, the 21st instalment in the Gamache series, coming out on 20 October. I can’t wait to curl up on the sofa and dive in. Such a lovely afternoon and a very memorable meeting with Louise! by @kitkempdesignthread

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9 days ago

A fireplace is the stage on which a room performs. It brings architecture, history and personality and, if you’re lucky, a little warmth too. From ornate carved stone to antiques rescued from reclamation yards, fireplaces help tell a story. We think of them as one of a room’s greatest works of art, the bones of a space and a natural gathering point for colour, texture and collections. From scale and balance and making it the focal point to embracing imperfection and the use of antiques and accessories, join us on the blog, via the link in bio, as we share some of our favourite fireplace dos and don’ts.

📷 @simonbrownphotography by @kitkempdesignthread

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10 days ago

In interiors, why does everything have to be practical? It is a question we find ourselves asking more and more. Of course, a room should work. Chairs should be comfortable, tables should be the right height and a hotel room should have somewhere sensible to put your suitcase. At our Design Studio, we think a little bit of impracticality can be rather wonderful. A beautiful lamp that takes up more space than it needs to. A chair that is far too sculptural to be the most comfortable seat in the room. A tiny table that is really only big enough for a cup of tea. A piece of art that serves no purpose at all, except to make you smile. These are often the things that give a room its personality. Join us on the blog as we discover why the most memorable interiors are often shaped by things that serve no practical purpose at all, but simply bring personality, character and pleasure to a space.

📷 @simonbrownphotography by @kitkempdesignthread

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11 days ago

Trees are a constant source of inspiration for design. Their shape, texture and colour bring a natural sense of movement to an interior, whether through a view from a window, a piece of furniture or a wallpaper. Trees offer a broad design vocabulary. They can be bold, decorative, architectural or subtle. Whether through a forest wallpaper, a rustic piece of furniture or the natural grain of wood, trees bring scale, texture and character to a room. We often introduce trees and forests into our designs because they work particularly well across large surfaces. A woodland scene can add depth and movement to a room, while making the walls feel more expansive. For us, the appeal lies in how easily they can be reinterpreted, making them a natural starting point for interiors that feel layered, personal and full of life. Explore how the beauty of trees finds its way into our interiors, via the link in bio. 🌳

📷 @simonbrownphotography by @kitkempdesignthread

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18 days ago

Join us on the blog this week as we take a closer look at Tudor Rose, a richly layered fabric inspired by an archival textile. Designed with @gpjbaker, it brings together painted birds, generous foliage and layers of colour, reflecting our love of traditional craftsmanship and the character that pattern can bring to an interior. The original archival fabric was the starting point for Tudor Rose, its nature-inspired imagery and painterly quality sparking the idea for the design. It recalls the work of journeymen decorators, who once created intricate scenes of nature to adorn the walls of grand country houses. Here, birds nestle amongst abundant foliage, their beautifully detailed tail feathers bringing unexpected touches of colour and movement to the design. Tudor Rose is available in four colourways: Blue / Green, Clementine, Chocolate and Plaster, each offering a distinct interpretation of the pattern. Together, the four colourways capture the versatility of Tudor Rose, allowing its painterly character and intricate detail to take on a different mood in every interior. Discover more via the link in bio.

📷 @simonbrownphotography by @kitkempdesignthread

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24 days ago

At our Design Studio, we have always believed that the best interiors are those that bring people together. A room should never simply be something to look at. It should invite you in, encourage you to stay awhile and, most importantly, make you feel at home. For us, gathering often begins in the kitchen. Gone are the days when kitchens were tucked away behind closed doors. They have become wonderfully sociable spaces, places to cook, chat, pour a glass of wine and, inevitably, congregate around an island while someone attempts to make dinner. There is also something rather special about sitting around a dining table. Whether it is an elaborate dinner party or a quick midweek supper, the dining room gives us a reason to stop and sit together. Comfort is key. The same thinking applies to our living rooms. Rather than arranging furniture around a television, we like to think about how people will actually use the space. Head over to the blog, via the link in bio, to discover more about the art of gathering and how thoughtful design can bring people together, creating spaces made for conversation, connection and spending time together.

📷 @simonbrownphotography by @kitkempdesignthread

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a month ago

There is something very special about a Regency townhouse, with its high ceilings, tall windows and beautifully proportioned rooms. The classical proportions provide the perfect backdrop for mixing old and new, allowing contemporary colour, pattern and craftsmanship to sit happily alongside antiques and traditional architectural details. We love pairing antiques with contemporary art, bold fabrics and unexpected pieces of furniture. It stops a historical room from feeling too formal or tied to one particular period, while allowing its original character to remain part of the story. Scale is equally important. Large, high-ceilinged rooms can carry chunky furniture, oversized lamps and generous patterns with ease. An oversized headboard can create a striking focal point against a tall wall while bringing balance and proportion to the room. A historic interior should never feel frozen in time. The best rooms continue to evolve, allowing each generation to add another layer to their story. For us, it’s this mix of history, character and contemporary design that makes Regency townhouses such a joy to decorate. Join us on the blog, via the link in bio, to discover more. by @kitkempdesignthread

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a month ago

Where would the Bloomsbury Group meet today?

On Thursday 24th September, join Firmdale Art Ambassador and Design Director @willowkemp for our latest art walk exploring the art, ideas and enduring influence of Bloomsbury.

Beginning at @charlottestreet_hotel, we’ll discover original works by Roger Fry, Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, living alongside contemporary art throughout the hotel. From there, we’ll follow in their footsteps through Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury, visiting a selection of nearby galleries and tracing some of the places where their ideas took shape.

We’ll finish back at Charlotte Street Hotel over a Bloomsbury-inspired Afternoon Tea.

An afternoon of art, design, conversation and discovery, very much in the Bloomsbury spirit.

Find out more and book via the link in bio.

#FirmdaleHotels taken in Charlotte Street Hotel by @kitkempdesignthread

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a month ago

The Power of Pairs! There is something naturally balanced about a pair. Whether it’s two pieces of artwork hanging either side of a bed, a pair of chests flanking a fireplace or two beautiful lamps framing a console, using things in twos can bring a wonderful sense of balance and proportion to a room. Introducing pairs can help bring structure to a space, creating visual balance and allowing the eye to move comfortably around the room. But this certainly doesn’t mean everything has to be perfectly symmetrical. The best pairings can be connected through shape, scale, colour or pattern without being identical. Join us on the blog, via the link in bio, as we explore how repetition gives a room rhythm and structure.

📷 @simonbrownphotography by @kitkempdesignthread

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a month ago

As the warmth of summer lingers, we find ourselves drawn to fabrics that make a room feel lighter, fresher and a little more relaxed. Linen has always been a favourite for exactly this reason. There is something beautifully effortless about linen. It doesn’t need to be perfectly pressed or overly pristine. Its natural creases and texture immediately take away a sense of formality, making a room feel more comfortable and lived in. What we enjoy most about linen is its versatility. It can feel smart or relaxed, traditional or contemporary, depending on how it is used. It sits just as happily alongside an antique piece of furniture as it does something modern and colourful. From windows and walls to tables and upholstery, it keeps interiors feeling cool, breezy and relaxed as we enjoy the warmth of summer. Join us on the blog, via the link in bio, as we discover the beauty of linen and how this natural, versatile fabric can bring texture, softness and an effortless lightness to every room. by @kitkempdesignthread

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a month ago

August has always felt like the Sunday of summer. London tends to soften, the days stretch lazily ahead and for a few precious weeks, there is a sense that we can simply enjoy where we are before September brings us firmly back to routine. In the design world, August has its own particular rhythm. Studios quieten, factories close, inboxes become a little less demanding and many disappear on their late summer holidays. After the wonderful whirlwind of June and July, there is suddenly room to pause, look around and find inspiration in the quieter moments. August is summer’s last chapter, so linger over an alfresco lunch, take a little longer on your evening stroll and finish that book. Autumn can wait. See our favourite ways to unwind over on the blog! by @kitkempdesignthread

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