Creative Space: Ann Grafton, GP&J Baker

Ann Grafton, MD and Creative Director of BCFA member GP&J Baker shares with Design Insider her Creative Space. Ann is always inspired by Kit Kemp’s interiors; they showcase a love for and deep understanding of mixing colour, pattern and textiles, which illustrates Kit Kemp’s signature style.

An avid traveller, Ann finds inspiration for collections on her many travels and divides her time between London, GP & J Baker’s extensive archive in Dorset and her coastal home in Cornwall. 

Can you tell us about a space/environment that has inspired you recently and why?

Firmdale hotels are high style with a huge sense of whimsy and fun, comfort and elegance. The use of colour, the very individual way in which fabrics and textiles are mixed and the art curation, which forms a pivotal part of the design schemes, is exciting in so many ways.

Fabrics have been elevated to be works of art from oversized headboards in the bedrooms being uniquely and individually embroidered and crafted or lobby areas being dressed with upholstered chairs with a mixture of pattern and trimmings, fabrics and textiles are given centre stage in these theatrical environments. 

Kit Kemp’s use of embroidered fabrics is inspiring and unique, curated with items gathered from talented and favourite crafts people and artists from around the world. It is wonderful to enjoy the sheer exuberance of a Firmdale space.

I am inspired by each hotel and in fact each room being uniquely styled, with it’s own interesting design scheme. The Ham Yard Hotel in London’s Piccadilly Circus, and the Whitby hotel in New York are two of my equally favourite inspiring Firmdale projects, both with welcoming interiors for eating, sleeping or just being.

They highlight the uniqueness of this amazing group of hotels offering touches of ‘cool’ throughout, be it hand-woven baskets combined with an ikat print, or modern art and framed plates alongside a traditional block print floral fabric, the attention to detail and passion for interiors are illustrated everywhere.

[Photo Credit: Simon Brown]

GP&J Baker is part of the leading US company Kravet Inc the family owned fifth generation textile company celebrating its centenary in 2018. Ann Grafton heads the sales and distribution of the US brands internationally on behalf of the group.

With a wealth of experience in the interiors industry Ann Grafton leads seven brands in the UK, including Baker Lifestyle, Threads, GP&J Baker and the licence for designing and selling Mulberry Home on behalf of Mulberry worldwide. 

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