Martin Kemp

MANAGING DIRECTOR MARTIN KEMP DESIGN

London based interior design firm, Martin Kemp Design was established by Martin Kemp in his 20+ year career within the sector. Martin Kemp Design is a highly creative design studio, producing some of world’s finest solutions for interiors, developments, architecture, yachts, private jets, cars, furniture and product. Their focus is largely within the super-prime residential market but also embraces fields such a high-end retail, office and restaurant design.

Tell us a little about your current projects. We have a diverse range of projects currently, from several private houses in London, a vast estate in France, apartment in New York, penthouse in China, yacht in Italy and a development in Monaco

How would you describe your work/design style/ethos? Our work can be classical to futuristic, calming to dynamic – ultimately we respond to our Clients objectives with humility and respect for any architecture or vision they may have.

What led you to this career path? My life in Los Angeles where I encountered some extraordinary people, homes and outlook.

Please describe the project you are most proud of to date, with reasons why this was a success? Clarges Mayfair remains one our favourites, grand in scale but elegant and calming in execution and detail, a quintessentially modern English addition to Mayfair.

Please describe a highlight of your career to date. There are so many to recall, however undoubtedly dinner at Windsor Castle is pretty high up there. I have been so fortunate.

How did achieving this make you feel? Humble. Such an invitation, for a simple Welsh boy like me it was quite something to be amongst such history and people.

What inspires you? People and ‘form’, character or architecture, car interior to mother nature, all stimulate me.

What motivates you? My team and the honour to my parents.

Where in the world do you like to retreat to? Los Angeles is my spiritual home but I would probably retreat to my birth-place of Wales or back to France where I studied, that’s to satisfy the Gaul or ‘Galois’ in me.

Where and how do you find support? My father and late mother primarily are/were my biggest mentors, however I also find solace and support in my own quiet reflection, almost meditative.

Has the recent global pandemic changed the way in which you work? Only in our place of work, otherwise we continue uninterrupted thankfully. My studio is open for anyone to visit but we choose to continue working from home largely.

Has it changed your outlook? A little, I have always valued simplicity despite my career which is undoubtedly filled with complexity at times, though if anything my interest to travel long distance is diminishing.

How do you feel it has changed the world? I suspect a good deal of the western world will quickly forget and revert to the old ways of materialism, though I hope we all learn now to restrain ourselves from eating too much, travelling too much or reproducing too much.

How will it change the global design sector? If anything, our need to physically travel is now minimised as clients see how the benefit of incredible technology maximises our ability to share concepts and designs digitally. We have been able to speed up our output due to zero commuting time, so deliverables and hence manufacturing is becoming more efficient globally.

What are your thoughts on the future of design? As it has always done, design will continue to evolve more efficient ways of living, bring improvements to many people’s lives no matter how small or large. Design is pivotal in all we do and will always be there.

Please tell us your aims for the next twelve months and beyond. We plan to launch a product range which has been in development, having had several items delayed due to the recent COVID lockdown. Beyond 12 months I wish for nothing more than continued good health and contentment.

What would be your key piece of advice for emerging designers right now? Go for it. Be creative, think laterally, challenge existing ways and ideas, never accept anything as the ‘only’ way but always listen to others with humility when feeling compromised.