Kit Kemp Archives - Elena Bowes https://elenabowes.com/tag/kit-kemp/ New York-London design & culture writer of a certain vintage looking for meaning and wholeness in life Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:02:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.4 https://i0.wp.com/elenabowes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cropped-tile.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Kit Kemp Archives - Elena Bowes https://elenabowes.com/tag/kit-kemp/ 32 32 65186774 Ham Yard Heaven https://elenabowes.com/ham-yard-heaven/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ham-yard-heaven Fri, 13 Jun 2014 09:34:46 +0000 http://elenabowes.com/?p=938 Prepare to be dazzled by Firmdale’s latest, largest and boldest hotel, Ham Yard. From the huge bronze Tony Cragg sculpture  in the leafy courtyard to a Texan, solid maple, 1950’s style bowling alley downstairs to the pewter piano that’s now an ice bucket on the rooftop garden, this is not your standard hotel. Ideal venue...

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]]> Prepare to be dazzled by Firmdale’s latest, largest and boldest hotel, Ham Yard. From the huge bronze Tony Cragg sculpture  in the leafy courtyard to a Texan, solid maple, 1950’s style bowling alley downstairs to the pewter piano that’s now an ice bucket on the rooftop garden, this is not your standard hotel. Ideal venue for a first date- there will be no shortage of talking points. As a Flatiron-based friend staying there said, “sick hotel”.

Designed by owner Kit Kemp, an avid collector who spans the globe furnishing her various hotels (8 in London and 1 in Manhattan) Ham Yard is a riot of bright colours and quirky touches. Maximalists will love it. Minimalists should stay home.  Ham Yard opened a week ago and is already fully booked. Here are a few images to wet your appetite.

‘Group’ by British sculptor Tony Cragg.

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Other ground floor attractions include 13 independent shops soon to open, including Rio-swimwear brand Frescobol Carioca, cool juice company Press London,  and high-end, handmade glasses group Eyewear Concierge. Below are images of the bar and restaurant.

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Kemp found these marble windows in India and made them into mirrors. The hanging lights from Mexico re-use old Coke bottle tops.

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The drawing room below is for guests only. Sorry.

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Las Vegas comes to Soho by the downstairs bar.

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There’s also a 190-seat electric blue and tangerine orange cinema, a well-equipped gym and spa and, don’t forget that 4-lane  bowling alley. Lace up.

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Time to strike.

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A driftwood detail on the dance floor of  the ‘Croc Bar’.

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Care for an olive?

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Bath-time

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Bed-time

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Dream of meadows up high

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June, 2014

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]]> 938 Prisoners Make Art https://elenabowes.com/prisoners-make-art/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=prisoners-make-art Tue, 22 Apr 2014 15:56:18 +0000 http://elenabowes.com/?p=215 Prisoners express themselves in “The Strength & Vulnerability Bunker”, a moving show organized by Southbank and the Koestler Trust. Anger, regret, sadness and longing manifest themselves in vivid color at the Southbank until December1. The work above is by Mark, HM Prison Stafford, Staffordshire. He also wrote the poem below. “Art is everywhere especially in...

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]]> Prisoners express themselves in “The Strength & Vulnerability Bunker”, a moving show organized by Southbank and the Koestler Trust. Anger, regret, sadness and longing manifest themselves in vivid color at the Southbank until December1. The work above is by Mark, HM Prison Stafford, Staffordshire. He also wrote the poem below.

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“Art is everywhere especially in prison,” says an exhibitor. Curator UK rapper Speech Debelle chose strength and vulnerability as themes. “I smiled when I saw the theme chosen by Speech Debelle because that is what First Hour is meant to represent, “ says Dean, the creator of the Papier Mache sculpture below. Prizes are awarded and entrants with promise get mentored.

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Fine Cell Work is another charitable group which teaches prisoners needlework to help rehabilitate and boost self esteem. Launched in the sixties by Lady Anne Tree, daughter-in-law of Nancy Lancaster who owned interior designer Colefax & Fowler, Fine Cell Work involves over 400 prisoners across Great Britain.  Designers such as Jasper Conran, William Yeoward, John Stefanidis and Kit Kemp have all commissioned their work, as has British artist Gavin Turk. The V&A, the National Gallery and Tate Modern have bought pieces.

October, 2013

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