Boutique Design - March/April 2010 - (Page 22)

Q & A Kit Kemp’s Artistic Hand Touches Down in the U.S. it Kemp’s design style isn’t practical — but then, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it’s better that it isn’t. What defines a small but burgeoning hotel brand is not always practical. A 10-foot high, steel sculpture of a human head in the lobby — why not? Antique rotary telephones connected to nowhere set atop the bar? Sure. Countless pictures, paintings and sculptures of dogs? Absolutely. These are the elements that make up the Crosby Street Hotel in New York City, Kit and Tim Kemp’s first foray into the States with their popular UK boutique brand, Firmdale Hotels. After opening seven hotels in London, each with its own voice, style and distinct Kit touch, the hote- K lier couple was ready to take the plunge into the U.S. and knew that if any city was ready for their unorthodox approach to hospitality and design, it was New York. She was pleasantly surprised with the feel of New York neighborhoods and while she started with a “high-brow” idea, she quickly realized it was a witty sentiment that New Yorkers would most appreciate. And so, as per her customary method, Kit gathered art and materials from around the world that would make guests feel “a part of the place” rather than “apart from the place.” In her opinion, such an approach, while arguably impractical by conventional hotel standards, is the only way to do it if you don’t want a cookie cutter. 22 • boutique DESIGN march/april 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Boutique Design - March/April 2010

Boutique Design - March/April 2010
Table Of Contents
Hyatt Opens First Andaz Hotel On Wall Street In NYC
Brintons Announces Second Collection With Scottish Duo
AB Concept In Hong Kong Creates The French Window, Overlooking The Harbor
Washington D.C. Celebrates Revamped Design Center
Q&A With Kit Kemp, On How She Successfully Brought Firmdale Hotels To The U.S. With The Crosby Street
Adam Tihany Delivers Las Vegas’ First Mandarin Oriental After A Collective Deep Breath, CityCenter Opens And Adam Tihany Delivers Las Vegas’ First Mandarin Oriental
Designology
World By Design
Fathom Creative Turns A Dilapidated Brake Shop Into New Multi-Use Space For Art, Business, Life And Inspiration
German Theorist And Author, Boris Groys, Discusses His Book, Art Power And The Idea Of Tourists As Architects As Part Of This Month’s Inspiration
Designer Meetups Hosts Big Wigs In Design To Share Inspiration And Discuss Trends In Informal, Open Environments
Dreambook:
Brian Orter Weighs In On The Popular Debate In The Design Community About Hand Drawings Versus Realistic Computer Renderings
EnVogue: BD Brings You Snapshots
Bath And Spa:
Calender/Advertisers Index

Boutique Design - March/April 2010