'London Pattern Play'

Crosby Street Hotel

Hoteliers Tim and Kit Kemp like to treat their guests to the Crosby Street Hotel in Soho to floor-to-ceiling windows, a mishmash of modern prints, and English amenities that consist of a drawing room for afternoon tea.

See how the couple plays with pattern in their own London townhouse – with contemporary artwork in bold colors and antique furniture upholstered in eye-catching prints.

Living Room

Fabric, texture and artwork draw guests to the couple’s living room. Hanging above the mantel is a lively painting created by English textile artist Anna Raymond. On opposite sides of the vibrant artwork are antique Venetian mirrors, its tarnished glass adding to the room’s eclectic charm.

Japanese fashion designer Akira Minagawa designed the sofa and window recesses in charming floral and stripe prints. Silver accents and fresh white flowers play down the prints.

Guest Room

A black-and-white toile de Jouy by Brunschwig & Fils is the same print used for the guest bed’s canopy, pillow and bedding. A white chair and foot stool flank either side of the wrought iron day bed. The French toile gets a modern update with a zebra print area rug. (Try this yourself with toile bedding and a faux fur rug.)

Why the overload of black-and-white pairings works: An arrangement of colorful wild flowers breaks of the dichromatic scheme with a punch of color.

Library

In the library, the Kemps again uses color to brighten up the somber wood furnishings and collection of books. Mirrors enlarge the space. A gold mirror, which dates to 18th century France, reflects punchy prints by Joe Tilson hanging on an opposite wall. Bold color reappears in an armchair by George Smith and chairs in contrasting prints. Fresh cut flowers again bring some color to an antique armoire.

Sun room

The Kemp’s sun room also doubles as a dining room, allowing guests a front row seat to the view outside. The floor-to-ceiling windows, similar in style to the couple’s hotel rooms, allow natural sunlight to pour into the space. A chunky wooden table serves as the centerpiece, accented by antique wing chairs upholstered in bright Bennison fabric. In keeping with the simple dining room table, the light fixture by Kevin Reilly is composed of candles assembled along a glass wreath.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of elle.com