PERSONALITIES
KNOW
KIT KEMP
The World of Kit Kemp at Bergdorf Goodman , New York City
I JUST LIKE PLAIN COLORS IF THE CONTRASTS ARE REALLY BEAUTIFUL , BUT IT ’ S ALSO TEXTURES . IT ’ S GETTING THOSE TEXTURES AND ACTUALLY MAKING THEM FEEL AS IF THEY ’ RE VERY LUXURIOUS , AND BY THAT I JUST MEAN SOFT , REALLY BEAUTIFUL TO TOUCH .
if they ’ re very luxurious , and by that I just mean soft , really beautiful to touch .”
COLLABORATIONS Kemp pays close attention to the art scene , often at galleries following favorites such as London-based Annie Morris , and looking for up-and-comers , some of whom she may commission to create works for the hotels .
“ If you do decide that you want to commission someone , you ’ ve really got to like their work — and then you ’ ve got to allow them the space to actually create something that they will like doing ,” Kemp says . “ The whole point of creating is an organic process . And you should end up with something better than you originally had imagined and maybe sometimes taking you by surprise .” Some works have appreciated in value . “ The things that I bought several years ago , I can ’ t actually even afford myself now . That ’ s a rather good way .”
Firmdale is expanding its salon
KIT KEMP
experiences , which include art walks and talks with tea service , for example , or conversations with noteworthy authors .
“ We ’ re gaining quite a following of people who like similar things to us , or maybe it ’ s opening their eyes to various artists that they may not have heard before ,” Kemp says . “ And I think that has an element of luxury about it , or exclusiveness in a way .”
Along with Kemp ’ s art and design sensibilities comes , retail opportunities . She sells her stylings online at Shop Kit Kemp and collaborates with high-end retailer Bergdorf Goodman in New York City . As well , she has partnered with brands such as Wedgwood , Wilton Carpets and others to creating collections including tableware , fragrance , furniture , fabrics and wallpaper . “ It ’ s been so interesting to see how my blog ( kitkemp . com ) gives people their first exposure to our hotels ,” she says of her online shop . “ In a way , it ’ s had a crossover effect , and that was surprising to us , actually .”
Design dislikes : Too much plastic , modular (“ I like the feel of the artisan , of craft ”), too many glass finishes because it looks too hard
Book of the moment : “ A Single Thread ” by Tracy Chevalier , which paints a richly detailed picture of history and social change in England in the years between the wars , focusing on weaving and textiles
Favorite websites : Always about furniture , including deringhall . com and architecturaldigest . com
When she steps away : “ I never really step away as I love design . If I go to the theater , I ’ m always looking at the set . If I ’ m going to our hotels , obviously I just want to look around the corner . I ’ m just basically curious and nosy .”
Hotel pet peeves : Wires that are going everywhere are really a nuisance ; curtains that feel like rubber because they are rubber ; towels with so much conditioner that they don ’ t actually dry ; and too much starch on sheets
22 hotelsmag . com January / February 2020