As this year comes to an end we would like to share with you our 2023 Wrapped Up: a combination of your favourite posts and our proudest achievements!
January
One of your most loved blogs this year was ‘Where We Find Inspiration’. Where we delved into the diverse avenues that fuel our creative design process. From the joy of collecting, to the art of collaging and painting, our exploration highlighted the richness of inspiration, often drawn from the beauty of nature.
February
February’s focus was on artists Tess Newall and Molly Mahon who we got to know better through our ‘Meet the Maker’ blog posts. These glimpses into their artistic journeys revealed the magic behind their craft. We’re fortunate to host workshops with such talents in our hotels, providing an ideal platform for creative expression. Looking ahead, The Whitby Hotel in New York is set to host an Interiors in Watercolour Workshop with SJ Axelby and a Stitching Workshop with Eppie Thompson, promising fun experiences for art enthusiasts.
April
April marked the exciting start of our collaboration with Spode, offering a diverse collection from decorated tableware to elegant glassware, including the Doodles collection designed by Willow Kemp.
March
In March, we unveiled the ‘Heart of Oak’ collection in collaboration with Rosebank Fabrics, a printed design on luxurious textured twill, inspired by our Fine Cell Work project.
May
May commemorated the King’s Coronation. This inspired us to craft limited edition bespoke cushions with imaginative applique designs in our studio.
We also had the honour of hosting Heritage of London Trust’s ‘Proud Places’ programme at Covent Garden Hotel. A group of excited and enthusiastic children gathered for an afternoon of history lessons and craft making.
June
June brought a burst of colour with the refreshing refurbishment of Residence 24 at Ham Yard Hotel, showcasing vibrant orange and popping pinks.
July
July was all about enchantment with the launch of 14 new mural wallpapers in collaboration with Andrew Martin, drawing inspiration from folk tales, mediaeval illumination and chinoiserie landscapes.
August
In August, we celebrated the ‘Threads of Life’ exhibition in Nantucket by designing a quilt with Christopher Farr Cloth, capturing the island’s charms, from sun and sea to beach, boats and lighthouses.
September
September marked the launch of our uplifting and playful fabric and wallpaper collaboration with Christopher Farr, featuring weaves and graphic prints.
October
October brought joy as Minnie Kemp collaborated with Mind the Gap, creating a collection that celebrates heritage, roots, storytelling and adventure through glorious colour and mischievous fun.
November
By November, the design team were in full swing with the installation of our new hotel in New York, Warren Street, set to open in early 2024!
During November, we proudly held the Poet for Places event for Heritage of London Trust at Ham Yard Hotel.
Also in November, Kit shared her five favourite books written by female authors that have all impacted her life and career. This was for the Bookshelfie Podcast for The Women’s Prize for Fiction.
“After a great deal of thought, I realised the books chosen were all related to people who craft or weave or just love colour. One of the chosen books ‘The Lady and the Unicorn’ by Tracy Chevalier is about the creation of tapestries by Nicolas des Innocents for an up and coming French nobleman in 1490. It conjures up how it would feel to be living and working as a craftsperson and maker in Belgium and Paris. It outlines the skills required to complete this masterpiece and the colourful naughty characters who are woven into the tapestries themselves…” – Kit
Kit’s book choices also included, Precious Bane by Mary Webb, Wayward (Just Another Life to Live) by Vashti Bunyan, Restoration by Rose Tremain and The Secret Lives of Colour by Kassia St Clair.
To hear this podcast, click here.
December
December showcased our window installation at Bloomingdale’s, accompanied by an exclusive shopping experience with Kit and Willow Kemp. Willow also gave a live doodling demonstration.
Kit was delighted to be made an Honoree for The Decorators Club in New York. Founded in 1914,@thedecoratorsclubis an organisation of 125 professional women supporting interior design in NYC. It was a wonderful evening, surrounded by many friends from the industry.
We also spent December working on our ‘Friendly Folk’ Christmas Wreath for Place2Be’s charity prize draw.
As the year concludes, we look back on a journey filled with creativity, collaborations and design milestones. We have lots of exciting things coming in 2024, including the opening of Warren Street Hotel in New York, exciting new collaborations and the completion of our charity quilt with Fine Cell Work! Stay tuned for lots more to come.