Evie Kemp’s Playful Champagne Parlour Makeover

Set for sparkling dreams and rosé themes, The Champagne Parlour has returned to QT Queenstown in partnership with G.H. Mumm, and just in time for the 2024 snow season. This year, the room has been given a winter glow up courtesy of New Zealand’s leading creative, Evie Kemp, and to say we’re obsessed is an understatement! Rosy hues and cosy textures, every corner is adorned with the playful elegance of an Evie Kemp touch. We sat down with Evie to talk all things interior, what sparks her creativity and how she pulled together our sparkling new suite. Read on and get inspired.

What was your initial inspiration for the design of The Champagne Parlour?
Working closely with the QT team, we wanted the room to be centred around the ski-season in Queenstown. The inspiration was to be a retro ski haven, somewhere kitsch and fun but also super luxurious. I found the “ski girl” artwork we put over the bed and that really set the tone for the whole room.

Can you describe the process of selecting the furnishings and decor for The Champagne Parlour? 
It all started with the white shag rug, that was the grounding of the room and what would really give us that retro ski feel. Then swapping out the occasional furniture in the room for more on theme pieces, the bubble couch, pink wire chair and pink tables. We decided to do the striped wallpaper to really transform the room, and then I found vintage ski themed artwork that I altered to fit. Lots of lovely soft furnishings are a must for a beautiful hotel room but working within a colour palette I chose a mixture of colours – pinks, blues and greens, patterns and textures as well as having a couple of the cushions embroidered with some cheeky champagne quips. Fun and quirky little touches are the cherry on top – the champagne neon, vintage phone, and the “Nudie Rudie” bathmat from Sage & Claire.

   

What would be your favourite thing in The Champagne Parlour?
I can’t really pick just one, I love the “ski girl” artwork because she just embodies the whole vibe of what The Champagne Parlour is this year! But also, I can’t help but love the blue phone, not only is it a beautiful thing but it’s also an audio guestbook – so leave us a message when you stay!  

How do you stay inspired and continually evolve your creative style?
Well, I’m really lucky in what I do because I’m constantly working on cool and exciting projects that inspire me and push me in certain directions. I get really obsessed with what I’m working on and that leads me down certain creative tracks that I take into my next project – it’s a snowball effect really! I also just love art and design and am always absorbing it, so that definitely inspires me.  

What’s in store for you for the rest of 2024? 
I’ve just taken over my own studio space up here in Auckland where I hope to create some magic and host some events, so that’s going to be a big focus for me. I’ve also just finished writing an interiors book that will be coming out later this year with Koa Press, so that’s going to be an exciting time! 

What advice would you give for styling your home, or adding some designer flair to your home or space?
Start with the art! If you already have artwork you love, take inspiration from that for colours to bring in through cushions, a rug, more art, even painting the walls. If you’re starting more from scratch choose an artwork or something for your walls that you really love, don’t think about how it will all fit together – trust your gut and then let that initial decision guide you.  

Can you let us in on some of your go-to places to shop for interiors?
I’m a big fan of vintage and retro so I love trawling online and in-person for finds for my home. In Auckland I love Madder & Rouge for beautiful textiles and pieces from India and other far-away places. I also love Marthas Fabrics for great fabrics and cushions for projects. Little & Fox in Napier is my number one place to buy lampshades and they also have a wonderful range of fabrics, cushions, homewares. I really love small independent design stores here in New Zealand – they stock lots of cool brands and things you might not have thought of. Paper Plane in Mt Maunganui is also one of my favourites.   

Do you have a favourite Mumm moment or memory of drinking Champagne? Perhaps your favourite place at home to pop a bottle and pour a glass?
Honestly, experiencing the Mumm tasting flight with my friend Emilie at Reds Bar at QT when I came down was beyond. I’ve never sipped champagne with such an incredible view – it was ridiculously fabulous.

The true definition of a pop-up, here for two months only, book a night in Champagne luxury here.