London based interior design studio, Kitesgrove work their magic on a wide variety of projects, whether close to home in Chelsea or further afield in Cannes and Kuwait.
We spoke to them to find out more about their design inspiration and their take on current trends…
Kitesgrove – nuanced and refined interiors
Kitesgrove was established in 2013, with a diverse portfolio of projects ranging from private clients’ homes and family offices to residential developments and commercial spaces. We design with comfort and practicality in mind, whilst creating nuanced and refined interiors that are reflective of our clients’ lifestyle and taste. In the last 3 years, Kitesgrove have had the pleasure of designing a townhouse in Notting Hill, a family home office in Mayfair, a villa in Kuwait, an apartment in Chelsea, a country house outside London and a farm shop in the Cotswolds.
Adding character and authenticity with antiques
The use of antiques and vintage pieces within a scheme not only brings a sense of character and authenticity, but creates a curated and unique aesthetic. Introducing antique pieces alongside modern furniture helps the space to feel as though it has come together organically over time. Sometimes, a client might have inherited an antique piece which is of great significance to them which we will then incorporate into a scheme, but more often than not we source them on behalf of our clients. In the past, we have also brought new life to antique pieces by either upholstering an old chair in a contemporary pattern, or painting an old chest of drawers an unexpected colour.
Elevating with art
Art has the potential to define and elevate a space; finding objects and pieces of art that resonate with an individual help to bring their personal style to a space. Similarly, playing with the dynamic between old and new creates something unexpected and intriguing. For example, by introducing a contemporary artwork within a more traditional interior, or vice versa.
Some examples of art work used in Kitesgrove’s projects. Houndstooth armchairs by Pure White Lines, based on a mid-century style, try the Jaggar armchair for a similar style.
Atmospheric lighting schemes
When designing the lighting within a room, it is important to consider factors such as the amount of natural light, the function of the room as well as the size of the space. Some rooms require a lot of additional task lighting, whilst others require something softer and more atmospheric. For reception rooms, we typically include a range of light sources from pendant lights and wall lights to floor lamps and table lamps in order to create varied, but balanced low-level lighting. We would design a bedroom lighting scheme so that the fittings can be controlled from the bedside as well as the door. We would also recommend the use of dimmer switches given that bedrooms are multifunctional spaces used throughout the day.
Blue & green should always be seen
Procuring bespoke, handcrafted pieces for our projects is something we strive for wherever possible as our clients tend to appreciate the value of furniture that has been designed and made with them in mind. We always prioritise specifying natural materials and always look to discover new makers and suppliers with a similar outlook. In terms of colour, we often gravitate towards greens and blues, but in the past struggled to find the perfect shade of Teal. In response to this, we collaborated with Farrow & Ball to create a timeless, dynamic and rich teal colour, appropriately named ‘Kitesgrove’, which subtly changes its identity in varying lights and contexts.
Favourite Pure White Lines piece
The California bench would be the perfect addition to a Master Bedroom scheme. The cream boucle fabric and sculptural shape, combined with the added bonus of the concealed storage, would work really well as an end of bed bench.
Multi-tasking rooms
Multifunctional spaces have always been an important consideration for our clients, now even more so than ever. From ensuring a reception room is not only a cocooning and inviting space that clients can retreat to in the evening but equally, a space for the children to spend time and play during the day to a guest bedroom that doubles up as a home office.
To find out more about Kitesgrove and their projects click here or follow them on Instagram.
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