They say ‘it’s not who you know, it’s what you know.’ But perhaps in today’s connection-heavy times, it’s about being in the know – and that’s where we come in. It was only a matter of time before the ultimate house party arrived in Soho. Our girl about town Kai Lutterodt meets her new neighbours…

THE ORIGINS OF THE “HOUSE PARTY”

When Kamran Dehdashti and Jamie Hazeel began their first project together, transforming a run-down Notting Hill Gate flat into an upscale bar, they didn’t have much to work with—just three months, £14,000 and a solid friendship. However, it was in the flat’s old living room, surrounded by unique cornicing, original moulding, and an old fireplace that The Little Door & Co. was born in 2014.

Intrigued by the idea of making the bar look like someone’s living room, the brand’s iconic “house party” concept began to emerge. “You know, it’s something incredibly powerful… this idea that you could invite people into a public space that had all the benefits and all the emotions and all the feeling of being in someone’s home,” Jamie explains.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

For Kamran and Jamie, the process begins with weaving together an intricately detailed story. “We write a story for the people we imagine would live there and we go into a huge amount of detail,” Jamie explains. After crafting a narrative behind the space, including who would live there, it becomes easier to answer questions about details like what kind of music they listen to, what coffee table they might have, what spices would be on the rack and what car they would drive. “This process creates a sort of common brief for everyone involved in the project. So we’re all aligned around the common vision of what it’s going to be.” Kamran concludes.

The Little Scarlet Door’s story differs from that of its predecessors, Yellow, Orange and Blue. The Little Door & Co’s other venues are “very much UK Maisonettes” and from the time they met, Kamran and Jamie had a shared vision of creating flats that were more “loft-style”. When they stumbled upon the future site of The Little Scarlet Door, they recognised the perfect opportunity to create an industrial, Manhattan-inspired flat.

WHO’S INVITED?

When creating venues, there are two very important underlying facets of Kamran and Jamie’s design process. First and foremost, they create spaces that feel like people’s homes. And secondly, the venues both engage with and represent the community around them. The Little Scarlet Door’s location nestled in the heart of Soho continually drew Kamran and Jamie to the social melting pot aspect of the area. “Soho is one of the last true social melting pots in London,” Jamie shared. “and the social melting pot is the ultimate house party.”

As such, The Little Scarlet Door is not another members club, much to my amazement. “It goes back to what Kamran was saying about the gap in the market. We wanted to create an environment for people who  want a more refined  experience, like they might have in a members club,  without being reliant on being a member to get in.” Jamie added.

GOOD NEIGHBOURS

Every good house party needs good neighbours, and in Soho, The Little Scarlet Door has found just that. “All of the businesses have been super welcoming,” Jamie says. Particularly noteworthy for The Little Scarlet Door is the new courtyard that’s has opened behind the building. “We are really excited about the community that’s going to form around the courtyard,” Jamie continues. From enjoying the recently opened  Milk Beach to sharing drinks with the folks at Zebrano’s, The Little Scarlet Door has already received an incredibly warm welcome. And we can’t forget Golóso, the Italian sandwich shop across the street. “Their paninis got us through the build,” Jamie laughs.

And for their first Christmas in Soho? “We’re looking busy already,” Kamran shared, “all the key dates are gone. Our menu will be more extensive over that period… there’ll be plenty of Christmas cheer!”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE LITTLE DOOR & CO?

For now, Kamran and Jamie are celebrating the enormous success of The Little Scarlet Door. “Our core focus at the moment is making sure that Scarlet is running the absolute best it can,” Jamie explained and then further elaborated, “But we will probably be opening another one in the not too distant future.” The pair even hinted at expansion beyond London, and maybe even the UK. “We have a very powerful and expandable concept. We’re plotting that out as we move forward,” Jamie continued.

Kamran also revealed that The Little Door & Co. previously copyrighted seven door colours, and as The Little Scarlet Door is the fourth, there are three remaining. Who knows, another signature brightly painted door could be coming to a street near you!

In the meantime, I’ll be at The Little Scarlet Door, enjoying an array of toasties, sipping Jamie’s favourite cocktail (the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang), and making myself right at home at Soho’s newest house party.

Written by Kai Lutterodt @the.soho.girl | Photos courtesy of The Little Scarlet Door

📍The Little Scarlet Door | 12-13 Greek St, Soho W1D 4DL www.thelittlescarletdoor.co.uk | @thelittlescarletdoor

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This article was previously published in the autumn issue of My Soho Times magazine. CLICK HERE to view it online.

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