Design Secrets – Adding Character and Style to an Interior to Make it Your Own – Kit Kemp

Description:
Design Secrets 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.

Discover how to create character in your home by making the most of the often forgotten details, from dado rails to the leading edge of a curtain. Learn about celebrating raw materials, creating a collection and even adding a touch of magic, as Kit shares creative ways to bring personalised details to make your home as individual as you are.

Kit reveals her ‘Dos and Don’ts’, including clever tips on how to hang art to tell a story and designing your own signature Kit Kemp headboard. This chapter is an invaluable glossary of creative ideas, with playful yet practical guides exploring topics from how to use colour in design, tips for lighting up a room, how to use found fabrics and more.

In ‘Meet the Maker’ readers can delve into the creative minds of some of Kit’s favourite artists and craftsmen, from the retired sailor turned woolworker, Colin Millington to renowned ceramicist Martha Freud, sustainable fashion designer Clio Peppiatt and figurative painter Joe Fan.

In the final chapter, Kit intends to awaken ‘the maker’ in every reader with a series of fun and creative projects to do at home, from embellishing a shell mirror to painting candlesticks and a step-by-step guide to appliqué a cushion.

There is even an opportunity to add your own personal flourish to the book itself in the one-of-a-kind hand illustrated colouring-in book, which invites readers to reimagine some of Kit Kemp’s most iconic interiors.

In Design Secrets, Kit Kemp welcomes you into her colourful world and reveals how to create interiors which capture the imagination.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/design-secrets/kit-kemp/9781784884246

Review
We review many beautiful books, but there is an extra feeling of joy when a book really connects with us and Design Secrets – Adding Character and Style to an Interior to Make it Your Own by Kit Kemp absolutely does that. From the moment we read the Introduction to the very last page this book resonates with everything we passionately believe in about design.

In her Introduction Kit explains,

“Time to let go of conformity and be true to myself – for my interiors to comfortably say, ’This is me’ and to enjoy that experience. …….. My living space acts like a mirror to my thoughts and feelings. It should restore and rejuvenate and be the central hub of joy and activity”

At a time when we are spending more time at home this book is packed full with the most colourful, uplifting and inspiring ways of rejuvenating your living spaces.

The content consists of: 
– Creating Character – How to make your house fabulously different, and as unique as you are
– Meet the Maker – We admire so many, we only have space for so few
– Do’s and Don’ts – Always say ‘Yes’ whenever possible, rather than ’No’ – go for it!
– Colour Makes You Happy – It is amazing how the power of colour can influence your mood and spice up your life.
– Top Tips – How to add that ‘wow’ factor to your interiors.
– Creativity at Home – Here’s one we made earlier. Be creative and Enjoy the process
– Exploring Colour – one-of-a-kind hand illustrated colouring-in book, which invites readers to reimagine some of Kit Kemp’s most iconic interiors.

Every page sings with inspiration, the illustrations and the photography are stunning, bringing to life Kit’s evocative descriptions.

This is a book to treasure, and as Kit mentions in her Introduction:

“I believe the best rooms never want us to leave. There is a certain something that captures the imagination and stays with us forever.” 

This book captures this emotion perfectly, this is a book that encourages you to stay, to explore the pages and then go and create your own beautiful spaces. We absolutely loved it! 
Destined to be one of our Favourite Books of 2021. Highly Recommended!