6 minute read
“Keep your goals in mind but remember to have fun”
More than 40 years of career, projects from Asia to the Middle East, from private homes and superyachts to hotels, a new book and new product ranges including furniture, fabrics, wallpaper, accessories and more. The interior and product designer, TV personality and author, speaks about her incredible life
The multi-award-winning London based designer Kelly Hoppen is one of the most sought-after designers of her generation. Her ever-evolving style, defined by a subtle fusion of clean lines and neutral tones and intuitively balanced with an opulent warmth, has been honoured with numerous prestigious awards and accolades including a CBE for services to interior design in 2009. Her mantra? “Keep your goals in mind but remember to have fun along the way”.
author: Francesca Gugliotta portrait photo: courtesy of Kelly Hoppen projects photo: courtesy of Kelly Hoppen Interiors, Mel Yates
Your signature design aesthetic “East meets West” is inspired by your travels around the East and across the globe. My love of the East started when I fell in love with an antique Chinese trunk which I saw in Portobello Market, then travelling around the East and absorbing all of the incredible culture and design that I experienced whilst I was there. I fell in love with the serenity and ordered design of the East, and was inspired to combine this with the luxury and opulence of the West to curate a truly modern and timeless style. Mixing Eastern style with my knowledge of Western living was a real global design fusion which has evolved over the years. This is never-ending in recreating the original concept in mind.
How would you describe your design approach? The first step is always to find out as much as I can about the owner and what they want from their home, so that I can design a space which perfectly matches their needs and expresses their personality. The home is so personal and intimate, and it’s
Hantang, China, show apartment
extremely important that each person’s home feels like it is true to them. Learning about the individual character and style of the owner inspired the vibrant pops of colour that I placed throughout the apartment, to give energy and enthusiasm to a classic and timeless neutral palette.
What kind of exchange exists between European and Asian architectural approach and cultures? Design is universal and each project is exclusive and of course I take into account cultures and wants of each country, however global fusion is my middle name so for me it is incorporating both and this is what clients want and what I love.
What are you working on? My interiors business is unbelievably busier than it’s ever been in 43 years. We have all sorts of upcoming projects spanning Asia, Australia, Europe, USA and the Middle East, from private homes and superyachts to commercial apartment blocks and hotels. I also have several new product ranges I will be launching later this year and early next year including furniture, fabrics, wallpaper, accessories and more.
How has residential industry changed? Totally changed, the projects we do in Asia are unbelievable and at a level you would design for a private residence and that’s what I love about working in Asia, the boundaries are limitless and luxury is at the foremost of every building no matter what. You also design cruise ships as Celebrity Edge. The sheer scale of this project is like nothing I have ever done before! Every project is always different, different specifications and challenges to endure, different styles and materials to appreciate, but Celebrity Edge was a whole new ball game. Every step we took was a first for us and a first for design within the cruising industry. I was certainly inspired by luxury yachts, hotels and other hospitality interiors, however, to apply these to a ship ensuring that it had its own identity and couldn’t possibly be lumbered into any category other than 7* luxury was a brilliant experience. Cruise Ship, Celebrity Edge
You are not only a multi-award winning interior and product designer, but also a TV personality and a passionate author about making your design ethos accessible to the masses. How do you reconcile these two souls? And what about your 10th book? For me I can be all, my passion is about design and is the most important thing for me and my love of sharing my knowledge has been something I have done for years, TV has been an extension of this and also my love of business as you can’t run a successful business for 44 years and not love business. My new book is a different type of book that was born out of the pandemic helping everyone with their homes with a hand book as we all want beautiful homes no matter what. The release of my new book has been a great success so far. I decided to focus on a book which can be read by people from all walks of life. It is all about getting the ‘luxe look for less’. Whether you are a young professional renting a flat, a first-time homebuyer or an experienced homeowner who wants to give your home a dash of Kelly Hoppen glamour, this go-to bible will help readers create a beautiful, functional and relaxing home that suits their individual needs and reflects their personality. It is currently available to purchase via Amazon internationally.
As a woman, what does it mean to be a successful business woman and a designer? I truly love what I do and strongly believe that’s why I have been able to do it so well for so long. Doing business is tough and has its ups and downs but the rewards are so gratifying. It is all about balance, keep your goals in mind but remember to have fun along the way. It’s all about finding a balance, I was fortunate to have a great support system which allowed me to enjoy both my career and home life. The most important thing is figuring out what works best for you in line with your aims and priorities as every individual is different.
What is still the project that you would like to do? I would love to do more hotels as I adore designing them and bringing years of designing private homes as I know what people want and come from a different view point and love this, I am so lucky at the projects and clients that employ me and feel so grateful.
