DAP 360: Firmdale Inspired

British self taught interior designer Kit Kemp and her husband Tim Kemp, are the creators of the amazing and inspiring Firmdale hotels and in-house restaurants, and this week's Dec-a-Porter 360* post.

KIT KEMP (image via Design Hotels.com)

In the late 90's, when I would have to be in London, whether for work or play, I would regularly stay in what was the new hotel at the time: "Number Sixteen" in the heart of South Kensington - probably one of my favorite sities in the world.

NUMBER SIXTEEN

Number 16 - Dining area. Detail and Entrance

Every room had it's own design scheme, and the cozy Lounge are Dining areas where guests could help themselves and simply write down whatever we had taken to eat or drink (oh, English manners!), was a great place for a bussiness meeting or simply to hang out.

Number 16 - Rooms

The true meaning of Boutique Hotel is what this designer has acheived, allowing the guest to feel as though they were not a tourist...but instead part of the very lucky few to live in the fabulous city of London.

With treasures found across the globe, and interior design schemes that many private homes would desire, the Kemp's have brought their style and great customer service as they "cross the pond" to with the expansion in the heart of NYC: The Crosby Hotel.


CROSBY STREET HOTEL

The Firmdale group counts seven properties and plan to open another hotel in midtown Manhattan, plus a chic new London hotel/condo project; they're also are revamping London's Dorset Square, the first hotel they ever worked on.

Here are some of my favorite rooms from the other locations on their portfolio:


KNIGHTSBRIDGE HOTEL

HAYMARKET HOTEL

Haymarket Hotel - Public Areas

Haymarket Hotel - Dining

Haymarket Hotel - Rooms

THE SOHO HOTEL

CHARLOTTE STREET HOTEL

COVENANT GARDEN HOTEL

So as you can tell, I was having a real hard time choosing my favorites as I think I could literally "die" for each of these rooms. Who wouldn't want to curl up on any one of these beds? Or have some tea in any one of these drawing rooms?

To be honest, I think I will just have to start booking some trips to London in order to give myself an excuse to stay in as many of these rooms as possible, and can't wait for what else this team decides to share with us here in NY!

Until then..one can dream!



More about Kit Kemp (whose own home was recently in Elle Decor) the Firmdale Hotels can be found at www.firmdale.com. Most images via this website as well as DesignHotels.com

Hotels in the Firmdale group:

LONDON:
Haymarket Hotel
The Soho Hotel
Covent Garden Hotel
Charlotte Street Hotel
Knightsbridge Hotel
Number Sixteen

NEW YORK:
Crosby Street Hotel