*UPDATE: Following our Design Thread tip for the Grand National, we are delighted to report that Rachael Blackmore has made history at Aintree as she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National on Minella Times.*

The Grand National is a race like no other. It is the world’s most famous horse race, the ultimate test of horse and rider. Each year, I am one of the 500 million people from more than 140 countries to watch the majestic horses with their brave and colourfully clad jockeys tackle Aintree’s terrifying and famous fences.

In anticipation of the race on Saturday 10th April, we will be running a sweep stake in the Design Office. We have been looking at the start list and although we are mostly influenced by the jockey’s colours and the names of the horses, like all true designers we couldn’t help but draw parallels between them and our work….

A very young, nine-year-old potential Grand National Winner, “Cloth Cap” reminds us of our favourite fabrics. Our special collaboration for Christopher Farr  might have the name “Small Way” but we definitely consider it a big Grand Winner! This fabric sparks light and freshness in a bright yellow and green combination. We will help you match any of your fabrics with our pop art border, also in collaboration with Christopher Farr, either in a yellow with hot pink or a green with blue colourway.

They say “Minella Times” is usually seen running over shorter distances and surely time plays a big role in it. But who is bothered about time when you have one of these striking artwork pieces by Humans Since 1983.  Remember, at the end, it’s all about having fun! This art piece is made from lots of small clocks; the clock hands create different patterns and visual compositions forming one unique piece of art.

Congratulations to “Secret Reprieve” who got off to a great start in 2021, winning the Welsh National in January. However, at Kit Kemp Design Studio, our secret reprieve is the very soon to be launched and now available to pre-order Design Secrets book. It is a unique, lively and informative masterclass which will become your touchstone for top tips, do’s and don’ts and creative projects to add a fresh and exciting feel to your living space. It even has its own colouring-in book to explore new colour ideas. Learn all the secrets about celebrating raw materials, creating a collection and even adding a touch of magic, as we share creative ways to make your home as individual as you.

The wait is almost over. The 12th of April is generating plenty of buzz, just like Discorama did at the Cheltenham Festival in 2020. The Haymarket Pool is the perfect place for some disco fun.

Ham Yard Hotel also has a disco ball and its very own dance floor. But if you would rather go for something a little bit more relaxing, remember there is also The Croc Bowling Alley next to it.

At the speed of light, like a rocket, “Magic of Light” came second at the 2019 Grand National. Just the name keeps us daydreaming, creating and exploring. Our Rocket Lamp provokes the same feeling in us. It keeps us thinking of the multiple ways we can use it: either as a table lamp or standing lamp, in blue, red or black and with countless combinations of lamp shades.

However, if this year doesn’t go that well for her, we can still think of our Doggy Lamp. Equally as sweet, it will add character to any room!

“Double Shuffle” was a win at Kempton in January. Our twin rooms are also a win if you are looking to come as a family but still want some privacy. The beautiful Oak Leaf Suite at Ham Yard Hotel can be twinned on request. You will doubly enjoy our beautiful rooms.

This veteran showed plenty of fight to finish behind “Cloth Cap” recently. He was a red hot favourite for this race back in 2017. Indeed, red is a strong colour that brings personality and individuality to a room. Here in room 509 at The Whitby Hotel in New York, we have kept it clean, bold and powerful with a red end of bed stool and cushions, matching the red bed valance with the wallpaper.

Have you ever noticed the intricate details of this interconnecting room at Charlotte Street Hotel?

The room leads onto the beautiful two bedroom Virginia Woolf Suite. Don’t be afraid to emphasise the strength of a room by adding more red, just like we have done here.

We can’t think of a better name to represent what we think design should be other than “Taking Risks”. These two rooms at The Soho Hotel illustrate how you can ‘take risks’ with bold design to achieve a finished product that is elegant, uplifting and exciting.

The headboard in this room at The Soho Hotel is a fantasy, where you will want to daydream all day long. The big pattern is matched with the end of the bed stool in a solid leather. The contrast pleats of the bed valance along with the piping on the headboard pick out the striking orange detail on the headboard.

“Talk is Cheap” was the winner of the Bet365 Gold Cup in 2019, but has failed to hit those heights since. He has won over 3 metres 5 furlongs in the past, so he should cope with distances. Everyone might be talking about it from the Library at Ham Yard Hotel – a warm and welcoming room to have a chat over a cup of tea.

Just mind the Queen in the room, she might be listening, and remember, sometimes talk is cheap.

We love our snail shell cushions that go along with our Smoke Ozone fabric by Christopher Farr. Only this time as an exception we hope “Talk is Cheap” does not get inspired by it.

It doesn’t look like it will be easy for “Tout Est Permis” as he hasn’t produced any great runs this season. He was well beaten in the Savills Chase (78L) and fell at Down Royal. Let’s give him a break as nonetheless ‘tout est permis’, meaning ‘everything is allowed’ at our hotels.

Brumus Bar and Restaurant at Haymarket Hotel will allow you to have a break and provides a space to enjoy our signature cocktails. Brumus is named after one of my beloved spaniels and was the source of our inspiration to applique different breeds of dogs onto the backs of each chair and bar stool. We will soon be creating our very own range of Doggy Handle Dining Chairs on Shop Kit Kemp just like these, so stay tuned!

Whoever races to victory this weekend, we hope the magical orange horse applique headboard at The Whitby Hotel in New York brings each and every combination good luck.