Kitty Arden is a British designer and international artist. She is a multi faceted designer and has expertise in designing sets, floristry, art, illustration, interiors, textiles, murals, silk clothing to name but a few! Her design style has a magical luxury combination of mixing traditional British with cutting edge modern, wildly colourful but also soft and gentle with a twist of humour.
The theme of Grand Luxury teamed with Eclectic Humour runs through Kitty’s Art. Ancient and Modern. Big thinking with a cartoon twist. Kitty’s design genre has been described as ‘Where Disney meets Versailles’ and ‘Where Pop Art meets whimsical Renaissance’. Kitty has a BA Hons in textiles and an MA in printmaking. Kitty Arden has exhibited paintings and etchings at The Royal Academy of Arts, London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai and many more.
THE ARTIST
Kitty Arden’s paintings are also a modern mix of abstract shapes in gentle colours bringing us full circle. Kitty has an impressive provenance and since attending Chelsea and Camberwell Schools of Art has been a prolific and highly regarded designer. At Camberwell she studied textiles and printmaking and received BA and MA degrees, she represented the college at The Royal Academy of Arts, London with etchings. Kitty has successfully exhibited at The Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions where her editions of etchings sold out.
Above: Modern, abstract and figurative this is a soothing and refreshing ‘Green Planet’ painting. Has a healing, swirling vibe in a gold circle ring, inspired by the idea of a healing planet and a swirly ‘at one with nature’ feel. Very calming for any room. Perfect Wall Art to team with the ‘Palm Leaf’ lamp shades.
‘Green Planet’ Painting – By Kitty Arden
Kitty Arden’s exhibitions of paintings and etchings have been global including exhibiting in Shanghai at The Bund Museum as a British designer at ‘The GREAT Festival of Creativity Shanghai 2015’. Commissions have recently included murals for restaurants, a range of luxury silk clothing and decorative accessories for the home.
After art school, Kitty was commissioned to design and rebrand ‘Prestat’ the chocolate shop. Kitty Arden designed the boxes and packaging for ‘Prestat’ for 20 years. The chocolate company continues to enjoy Kitty’s luxury designs on ‘Prestat’ boxes. The high profile truffle shop enjoys The Royal Warrant from Her Majesty The Queen.
The Artist – Kitty Arden
Kitty Arden’s new designs collaboration with Forwood Design are an exciting example of Kitty’s eclectic style.
Below: ‘The Space Series’. Gold and silver planets orbiting around each other gives a feeling of space and a calming, gentle atmosphere in any home. Perfect to team up with the ‘In Orbit’ lampshades to give a gentle glimmer in the light for the modern stylish room.
The ‘In Orbit’ Painting – By Kitty Arden
Below: This bright and chic diamond dust print design is inspired by the fun and glamour, ‘Party on and be brave and creative’ from Kitty’s ‘Hairdooze’ series of colourful diamond dust prints. This limited-edition glitter print with modern white frame brightens any wall. The modern Pop Art feel and happy yet chic image lifts the tone of a room and gives a happy yet cutting edge fashionable vibe. Sophisticated luxury with a twist of humour.
‘Jade’ Limited Edition Print – By Kitty Arden
LIGHTING
Lampshades are always a very difficult home accessory to choose. The range of shapes, style, fabrics, and prints can be overwhelming, and finding a base that works with your lampshade and the rest of your room is an equally exhaustive task!
At Forwood Design we were delighted when Kitty Arden announced the launch of her new contemporary and classic lampshade range. You can see the selection, featuring some of her creations with Forwood Design Table Lamps.
The Gold Globe Collection
The ‘Gold Globe’ Lampshade Collection marries well with the ‘Gold Globe’ paintings and the modern retro feel. Hand-painted by Kitty it makes each silk lampshade a unique piece and a work of art. For the perfect set interior, there is large and medium-size Wall Art to match.
The Kitty Arden hand-painted luxury silk drum shade with rotating planets, inspired by our universe, give a modern and original feel. Space and golden globes suspended in a timeless, stylish design. They match perfectly with the Forwood Design Lexington Table Lamp, Susi B Diss Lamp or the Lafayette Table Lamp.
The Palm Leaf Collection
The ‘Palm Leaf’ Collection is perfectly matched with the leaf motifs hand-painted by Kitty onto the silk shades. Fresh, green, curling in the wind feel to these shades. Holidays and tropical, gentle, colours bring a retro 60’s yet modern feel. A perfect set with the ‘Green Planet’ painting and the beautiful, green, malachite table lamps.
Kitty Arden hand-painted curling, ‘Palm Leaf’ on a classic cream silk Empire shade, shown here. A fine drawing of a modern, tropical plant with a fresh green vibe and holiday feel. Chic and fresh paired with Forwood Design Malachite side lamp collection for a luxury feel.
The ‘Palm Leaf’ on cream silk drum lampshade is inspired by beautiful tropical palm leaves in shade and light. Nature themes with green leaves and silk. Perfect, natural and calming chic design. We love it on both the Forwood Design Diss faux silk silver lamp base or the Malachite Shard lamp base. Perfect in both contemporary and classic home decor.
The Pablo Collection
The ‘Pablo’ Collection includes the Kitty hand-painted silk lampshades in Kitty’s modern art style. Original paintings of figurative ladies with a cheeky smile and an air of fun to bring a happy feel to the room. Lighting up the room with smiles and an amusing twist. Perfectly matches with the Forwood Design lamp collections and makes for a modern, fun and original interior.
Kitty Arden has also created gentle, amusing hearts of silver and gold which fly around this creme silk drum shade. Gently glimmering in the light, heartwarming, romantic and amusing. Gives an uplifting feel to any room or interior space. We like them combined with the Forwood Design Diss Silver Silk lamp or the Sabina lamp in barley shagreen by Henry Forwood.
Kitty Arden having been described as ‘The Modern Renaissance Woman of our time’ has also designed sets, interiors for parties and events teamed with artistic floristry which Kitty continues to this day. Kitty’s expertise in floristry was commissioned to design and decorate with flowers The Royal Barge on the Thames for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, 2014. Kitty’s floral expertise includes decorating many Christian Dior fashion haute couture shows in Paris.
STYLIST PICK
Artist and designer Kitty Arden selects her favourite interior accessories from Forwood Design current collections: “I am very impressed by the quality of the Forwood Design collections and love the idea of a having a new range in each room. The beautiful finishes to the trays and lamps make it a superb choice for my interiors at home. It was hard to choose a few favourite items as I love them all. The tortoiseshell collection is perfect in the room to serve drinks on the tray with coasters and for glasses and mats for dining.
Table settings look so smart and yet relaxed with the perfectly finished shagreen, tortoiseshell, malachi
