Saturday 6th October 2018


Interiors & Fine Furnishings Property, Homes & Interiors 9


Unicorns, myths and moons: when two interior design gurus come together


A collaboration between two world-renowned interior designers is always an exciting moment. Presenting the Kit Kemp for Andrew Martin collection, a modern range of fabrics and wallpapers with one eye in the past and one in the future


Award in 2008, so I’ve long been a fan of her work. Before she came along there was a formula for how hotels should be. She smashed that accepted norm.” So says Martin of Kit Kemp, celebrated interiors guru and co-owner of Firmdale Hotels. The pair have shared a strong working relationship — and friendship — for years, so a joint project was perhaps inevitable. “I wanted to create something


“K


exquisite,” says Kit of the collec- tion. Made up of fi ve wallpaper and six fabric designs in an array of painterly colourways, the creative process began when Kit stumbled upon tapestries from the 15th and 16th centuries. “It was fascinating to see these magical creatures hiding behind leaves and under hedgerows. That was the start of the idea; to give them new life in a contemporary world.” With the help of illustrator Melissa White, this idea transformed into reality. The collection as a whole has


a lyrical spirit, like an imagina- tive fairy tale, which appeals to the child in each of us. As well as tapestries, Native


American art


provided inspiration for the Apache print, while Mythical Land, a monumental three-metre repeat of pears and trees, takes its cue from American folk art. It’s designed to encourage


layering and contrast to create a room with the unfolding twists and turns of a story. “There always has to be a surprise in a room,” says Martin, who recommends mixing


190-196 Walton Street, London SW3 2JL T: 020 7225 5100 andrewmartin.co.uk


10% off at Andrew Martin with code ‘FRIENDLYFOLK’ until 30 November 2018. Available online and in store.


it won the Andrew Martin Interior Designer of the Year


The traditional palette of dusky, neutral tones is accented with fl avours of bright orange, blue and yellow so these ancient motifs are instantly made modern and fresh


these fabric and wallpaper designs to excite the eye, using the colours to coordinate where the patterns would otherwise clash. And it’s this play with contrast


which is exactly what makes the collection so contemporary. The traditional palette of dusky, neutral tones is accented with fl avours of bright orange, blue and yellow so these ancient motifs are instantly made modern and fresh. The designs are printed on natural fabrics such as twill, linen and chintz. “It’s fun bringing an old material like chintz right up to date,” Kit explains. The fearless subversion of tradition is an ethos Martin and Kit share. “Martin can really take something ordinary and make it extraordinary,” Kit says. “And Kit’s trademark is courage with colour,” adds Martin. “She’s the bravest of the brave.”


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