Designing Spaces to Celebrate and Entertain
Internationally acclaimed interior designer and creative force behind the Kit Kemp Design Studio and the award-winning Firmdale Hotels, Kit Kemp MBE reveals her approach to transforming a space into the perfect setting for entertaining
PHOTO: Simon Brown
I approach entertaining areas such as restaurants, bars and event spaces in our hotels the same way I would approach a dining room in a residential project. Dining rooms are essentially the heart of celebration in our homes, where we gather with our loved ones. They are the backdrop to many a memorable moment, so they should sing and bring joy to any mealtime occasion.
Our spaces are designed to be lived in; they come to life when people bring their own colour and energy to a room. Hospitality spaces need to feel welcoming and stimulating, and function perfectly for different guests at different times of day or night, be that for a wedding, an after-work drink or a romantic, intimate dinner. The restaurants and bars we design are the beating hearts of our hotels, brimming with energy and as attractive to travelling guests as they are to local people who live or work in the neighbourhood.
When we designed ‘A Dining Room of One’s Own’ for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club Show House in New York, the inspiration came from Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own. I wanted to create a jewel box of a dining room that transported you to the English countryside the moment you stepped inside. As you step into the room, you’re greeted by the striking works of Sanaa Gateja and Wendell Castle. Gateja’s ‘Seeds of Joy’ tapestry, crafted with recycled paper beads, radiates resourcefulness and ancestry against the backdrop of our ‘Front Row’ fabric from our collaboration with GP & J Baker, which is framed by bespoke coloured wood panelling. As your gaze drifts along the walls, it encounters the mesmerising painted mural by Tess Newall, a captivating focal point that adds depth and character to the room. We painted the ceiling in a wonderful sunny, bright yellow that radiates optimism and gives everyone who enters a flattering golden glow. At the centre of the space sits our innovative magnetic Pit-A-Pat dining table, a result of an exciting experiment and collaboration with Schotten & Hansen, dressed in our ‘Tall Trees’ collection for Spode. It creates a captivating centrepiece. A dining room should never feel static. It should feel alive with conversation before anyone speaks. I don’t like a timid interior, but equally I don’t like a frantic one either; it’s about creating a space that makes guests feel like they never want to leave.
Tablescaping is about creating a visual feast before the first course arrives. But it must be in proportion. There is nothing worse than sitting down to dinner at an incredible, showstopping table, but it’s so oversized there’s nowhere to place your glass and you can’t see the person opposite! Always put your guests and their experience first. Whilst a gorgeous flower arrangement is a key component in making a dining space feel put together, it only works when it’s thoughtfully proportioned. For long tables, I prefer low arrangements – small but full – so guests can see one another easily. Height can come from colourful non-drip taper candles or oversized arrangements placed on consoles and mantels around the room. Varying heights around the room keep the eye engaged.
I adore decorating a table with an explosion of colour. Our Calypso and ‘Tall Trees’ collections for Spode are designed precisely for that – contrasting and coordinating hues that spark joy. Layering is key. I don’t believe in a ‘matchy-matchy’ approach. I love to see the interplay between colours and patterns: a decorative tablecloth, colourful napkins, patterned chargers, plates, glassware and candles all create depth. Have fun, but don’t overcrowd the table. It doesn’t need to be too formal, a bright tablecloth could be an old sari, a found fabric or even dress material that you never got round to making. Add place mats in bright colours or napkins, with blanket stitch embroidered around the edges, create focal points on the table with interesting displays of collected objects, shells or colourful vegetables will create surprising sculptural additions. Beauty should never hinder conviviality. Add a touch of whimsy or fun to create an interesting room which doesn’t feel too serious or formal. I like there to be talking points within a room. A room should be a story that unfolds as you experience the space, with little surprises and intriguing details that make you aware of your surroundings.
Above all, I believe in a handcrafted look. I like imperfection – a thread that changes colour, a weave that is not immaculate. These nuances add soul. A celebration space should never feel sterile or corporate. It should feel human. Personal touches matter enormously. A simple handwritten place name, a sprig of rosemary tied with twine to a napkin, a small gift at each setting, these little details make guests feel considered. The touch of the human hand adds warmth and story.
Themes are marvellous fun and can spark endless ideas for creative tablescapes. A theme provides a framework for creativity. It allows you to immerse your guests in another world. We once created a ‘Mythical Land’ tea party with cakes decorated like miniature vegetable patches, antique driftwood furniture and mossy details that made the space feel as though it had existed for centuries. A theme provides a framework for creativity.
Celebration is about generosity of spirit. Whether in a grand hotel ballroom, an intimate dining room, a summer garden or a cosy living room, designing interiors for celebrations is about creating a stage for life’s most joyful moments. Unforgettable moments require an element of the unexpected when it comes to design. It is about capturing the imagination so that the experience begins the instant you enter the room. Make people feel curious and
make them smile.
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