House Design
Over the past twenty years, Kit and Tim Kemp, founders of a hospitality brand and design studio, have renovated their 1930s central London townhouse twice.
The initial renovation was inspired by a conversation between Kit and designer Robert Kime. 'He suggested that the best room in the house should be the kitchen, and it was a revelation,' Kit recalls.
Kitchen
This valuable advice led Kit to transform their spacious dining room overlooking the garden into a kitchen, a place they now inhabit daily.
Years ago, they installed custom cabinetry that has undergone several color transformations. Kit also designed beaded lampshades from vibrant Kurdi aprons.
Dining Room
To enhance dining experiences, Kit added a conservatory adjacent to the kitchen.
At night, a chandelier by Tord Boontje casts intricate shadows across the ceiling.
Living Room
With their three daughters now adults, the couple felt it was time to adjust their layout. 'We knocked down a front room that was seldom used, opening it up to the living area, which now connects with the kitchen for a seamless flow,' Kit explains.
In this vibrant space flooded with natural light, she combined her oversized One Way geometric linen with a lively botanical print, balancing the bold patterns with a subtle paisley design.
The room's energetic patterns are complemented by antiques, including an impressive 18th-century Spanish chest displayed beneath a portrait by Duncan Grant. 'This home is a joint effort with my husband, reflecting our shared admiration for Bloomsbury art,' Kit notes.
The walls exhibit works from iconic Bloomsbury artists. 'The Bloomsbury Set has significantly influenced our lives since we designed the Charlotte Street Hotel,' Kit shares. 'These British artworks fit perfectly in our light, as they are subtly striking.'
Entrance Hall
During the redesign, Kit enlarged the hallway by relocating the front door, marking the beginning of her home's redecoration.
'If you give character to transitional spaces like hallways and landings, it feels like your home is doubled in size as you linger rather than rush through,' Kit explains. She adorned the walls with her whimsical Mythical Land wallpaper, providing a delightful backdrop for unique items, including a Swedish wedding clock and an antique beehive.
'I aimed to create a space where one would want to pause and admire,' Kit describes her choice of playful wallpaper, which contrasts beautifully with eclectic pieces like a chair upholstered with Kazakh embroidery.
Music Room
To make space for a dedicated music room featuring their grand piano, Kit repurposed one of the four bedrooms on the first floor.
'Tim and I aren't musically inclined, so we didn't want the piano in our main living area,' she laughs, adding, 'I surrounded this room with bookshelves, which I believe aids acoustics nicely.'
Main Bedroom
Located beneath the eaves, this room showcases intriguing ceiling heights highlighted by a grand half-tester bed.
Every room has been refreshed with new, distinctive bedroom concepts, while Kit remains committed to reusing quality pieces. 'If a frame is in good condition, I'll reupholster it and donate our fabrics to various charities; smaller offcuts become toys,' she shares.
Bedroom
Kit enjoys trading items, fashioning one bedroom's design around pieces collected from a showroom she previously created, while another room features chairs she designed for a home furnishing brand.
This whimsical headboard, crafted by Kit for a showroom display, serendipitously matched a lamp base that perfectly aligns with an aquatic theme.
Creativity is central to all Kit's endeavors, highlighted in her recent book written during the pandemic. 'Through my weekly blog, we discovered a surge in interest for home creativity and customization,' she explains. 'The focus has shifted from big-name designers to personal touches that make interiors truly unique.'
Kit Kemp Design Secrets £25, Hardie Grant Books
Interior design/ Kit Kemp
Photography/ Simon Brown
Text/ Rachel Leedham
