Celerie Kemble's childhood was in many ways a design tutorial spent in construction sites, antique stores, and in the unique homes designed by her mother, Mimi McMakin. After concentrating in English Literature she graduated from Harvard and quickly succumbed to what she calls a compulsion for design and home improvement. For 12 years she has been working as a much publicized residential and commercial interior designer based out of New York City. The office now boasts six designers and an influx of interns working with clients in The Dominican Republic, Puglia Italy, Texas, Amagansett, Bridgehampton, and Manhattan.
Celerie Kemble designed the “Lady’s Library” at the 2011 Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse. The room still features the dark wood paneling that Mr. Whitney brought over whole from England; however, the new design scheme incorporates clever and colorful new touches that give it light and life. For example, the designer lined the bookshelves with cream-colored faux leather, then swapped dark shelves for Lucite ones and displayed books from Assouline and back copies of The Paris Review.
The Lady’s Library combines style and substance – and a bit of humor, too. When The New York Times asked who the “Lady” was she designed for, Ms. Kemble replied with a grin, “A beleaguered decorator who needs someplace to drink.”
The Kips Bay 2011 Decorator Showhouse is open through May 26. For more information, please visit kipsbaydecoratorshowhouse.org or call 718 893 8600 x245. Photo courtesy designwire.interiordesign.net. Info courtesy kembleinteriors.com and The New York Times. To purchase a copy of “To Your Taste,” by Celerie Kemble, please visit bn.com.
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