Kit Kemp, creative director and co-founder of Firmdale Hotels, along with husband Tim, has lived in the same London house for more than 20 years. The couple are shining stars in the design pantheon, having created hotels in London and New York, including the Ham Yard and The Whitby, as well as a shop in Bergdorf Goodman.
They were originally attracted by the pre-war property’s width on the block, allowing for several rooms on each floor, and its tiny, pocket handkerchief-sized garden. “It’s not as grand as lots of London houses but what we loved is that laterally it’s wide and it seems to embrace you as soon as you come in, making it feel quite welcoming,” says Kit. As well, it possesses a desirable airiness, facilitated no doubt by…