What do you think?
Design Thread
Kit Kemp is back with another colorful and exciting interiors book that showcases her unique approach to design.
For over 20 years, Kit Kemp has been at the forefront of the international design community, developing a signature style which mixes contemporary works of art by both well-known artists and unknowns – all of whom paint with soul as much as skill – with Kit's own furniture designs, antiques and junk shop finds. All of this is set against a layered backdrop of luxurious fabrics, bespoke wallpapers and hand-finished detailing which creates instant impact.
In Design Thread , Kit shares the inspiration behind her creative whether it's a house in the country or a city pied-à-terre, a hotel suite or beach bar, her unique eye for design shines through. Kit considers every element of her interiors in detail, each one treated as a work of art in its own right, with an emphasis on creating personal, authentic, handcrafted spaces which capture the imagination and stand the test of time.
Alongside the stunning images of room sets and detailed close-ups, from her hotels to her private residences, there will be great insight into the inspirations behind Kit's work, including her design collaborations.
For over 20 years, Kit Kemp has been at the forefront of the international design community, developing a signature style which mixes contemporary works of art by both well-known artists and unknowns – all of whom paint with soul as much as skill – with Kit's own furniture designs, antiques and junk shop finds. All of this is set against a layered backdrop of luxurious fabrics, bespoke wallpapers and hand-finished detailing which creates instant impact.
In Design Thread , Kit shares the inspiration behind her creative whether it's a house in the country or a city pied-à-terre, a hotel suite or beach bar, her unique eye for design shines through. Kit considers every element of her interiors in detail, each one treated as a work of art in its own right, with an emphasis on creating personal, authentic, handcrafted spaces which capture the imagination and stand the test of time.
Alongside the stunning images of room sets and detailed close-ups, from her hotels to her private residences, there will be great insight into the inspirations behind Kit's work, including her design collaborations.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published March 5, 2019
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 10, 2026
Read this knowing I am not reviewing the book, but rather leaving notes and asides to remind me of my readings year to year. Much of my prolific reading has been lost in terms of childhood on, but perhaps today’s children can use the tools now available and be more vigorous in their record keeping.
While a variety of Kemp's work is presented in this book, I felt the hotel projects and products were overdone. Few of her readership are going to be decorating hotels. A separate book just on that would have been a better approach. She is gifted in her mixing of patterns and colors, but each room seems very British (in the use of wallpaper) and every time I studied a new photograph I thought "dust catcher," or "hard to care for" or "you'd be repainting that fairly often." Not a great book for gathering ideas for your own home unless you have staff and a team of artisans at your disposal and purse.
It was her accessories that I found myself wanting to know more about: the art, the knickknacks.
(She has some fantastic animal plates that have been box-framed – they show up in a couple of chapters. I would have loved to know more about them.)
There are 9 chapters, each featuring a specific property or idea:
A Room of One's Own: London Townhouse
The public spaces in The Whitby Hotel in Manhattan
Making a Manhattan Penthouse: The penthouse in The Whitby Hotel (looks like a beautifully decorated home)
Creating a Collection: collaboration with the Andrew Martin design emporium
Beach Bar: The Beach Bar at Sandy Lane Resort in Barbados
Occasion Dressing: Entertaining spaces in Kit’s properties, including The Whitby and Soho Hotels
Pied A Terre: a small flat in Chelsea, London
Gardens: garden spaces and the adjoining rooms
Sleeping Around: bedrooms / hotel rooms
Each chapter starts with a one-page introduction and includes a recipe from one of her projects at the end. Most chapters also include one of her design alliances. These include Baskets of Britain, Wedgewood, Turnell & Gigon, Melissa White, Paul Smith, Fine Work Cell, and Wilton Carpets.
There was also a lot of alteration and custom work to change a room, and again, most people can't pursue those things in today's economy.
While a variety of Kemp's work is presented in this book, I felt the hotel projects and products were overdone. Few of her readership are going to be decorating hotels. A separate book just on that would have been a better approach. She is gifted in her mixing of patterns and colors, but each room seems very British (in the use of wallpaper) and every time I studied a new photograph I thought "dust catcher," or "hard to care for" or "you'd be repainting that fairly often." Not a great book for gathering ideas for your own home unless you have staff and a team of artisans at your disposal and purse.
It was her accessories that I found myself wanting to know more about: the art, the knickknacks.
(She has some fantastic animal plates that have been box-framed – they show up in a couple of chapters. I would have loved to know more about them.)
There are 9 chapters, each featuring a specific property or idea:
A Room of One's Own: London Townhouse
The public spaces in The Whitby Hotel in Manhattan
Making a Manhattan Penthouse: The penthouse in The Whitby Hotel (looks like a beautifully decorated home)
Creating a Collection: collaboration with the Andrew Martin design emporium
Beach Bar: The Beach Bar at Sandy Lane Resort in Barbados
Occasion Dressing: Entertaining spaces in Kit’s properties, including The Whitby and Soho Hotels
Pied A Terre: a small flat in Chelsea, London
Gardens: garden spaces and the adjoining rooms
Sleeping Around: bedrooms / hotel rooms
Each chapter starts with a one-page introduction and includes a recipe from one of her projects at the end. Most chapters also include one of her design alliances. These include Baskets of Britain, Wedgewood, Turnell & Gigon, Melissa White, Paul Smith, Fine Work Cell, and Wilton Carpets.
There was also a lot of alteration and custom work to change a room, and again, most people can't pursue those things in today's economy.
February 10, 2026
Fabulous. Picked up for a few pounds incharity. Love the styling and these hotels. Happy soho memories.
Read
June 19, 2026This was pretty over the top, but beautiful nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews