Design Experts
20 questions with Kelly Hoppen
20 questions with Kelly Hoppen
Design Experts
20 questions with Kelly Hoppen
British
interior designer Kelly Hoppen is beyond established in the design community. As a designer, teacher and author she has conquered this world through a vast range of residential and commercial projects, including apartments, hotels, yachts, and private jets, and boasts an impressive list of celebrity clients. On top of which, Kelly has her own line of
home decor accessories, furniture, lighting, textiles, paint, and organic clothing. There's no wonder her name has become synonymous with all things design.
1 If you could shadow any designer for a day, who would it be?
Kelly Hoppen Tom Ford because I love how he creates the spaces in his film. It completely opened my eyes to doing something new... I would love to do a film interior set.
2 Where do you look for an obscure source of inspiration?
KH Finding inspiration for me is a case of having time to clear my mind and allow myself to feel inspired. This normally happens when I take time off and when I travel. But I do also find great inspiration from the students who attend my design school.
3 Favourite restaurant?
KH The restaurant at The Arts Club in Dover Street, London, I love the fish and shellfish. The atmosphere there is great!
4 What’s your favourite room to decorate?
KH All of them, but I really love to do kitchen designs because it’s the heart of the home and a lot of thought needs to go into making it a social space where the family will come together and talk.
5 What’s your current paint colour obsession?
KH It’s always taupe, although I recently painted a wall in my office red as my Feng Shui consultant Richard Ashworth advised this since it’s the year of the dragon. I used a paint called "Red Dragon" which is part of my paint collection with Graham & Brown! It's what I call a calm red and it's meant to subdue your mood and make you feel war rather than a fiery angry red which gets your pulse racing. When I walk in to my office in the mornings I'm overwhelmed at how amazing the room feels. Everything has changed with a simple splash of colour. I may be the Queen of Taupe but this red has made me feel incredibly happy and full of new energy to make 2012 the best year yet.
6 If one song could be the soundtrack to your life, what would it be?
KH Ain’t No Mountain High Enough!
7 What’s the one store you could spend hours browsing?
KH Colette in Paris - I love all the amazing things you can find there.
8 London, Paris or New York?
KH London is definitely my favourity city in the world to live and Paris is my favourite city to visit – the shopping is fantastic in both places!
9 If money were no object, what one thing would you buy?
KH An airplane, it would make my hectic travel schedule a lot easier!
10 What do you consider to be the most iconic design piece of the past century?
KH There a couple of iconic designs I love - the Charles Eames Chair, Riva Classic Yacht and Aston Martin DBs.
11 Favourite movie?
KH It’s a Wonderful World - I love the story!
12 What’s your favourite movie interior?
KH Tom Ford’s film, A Single Man.
13 What do you think is the easiest way to update a room?
KH Adding a few new accessories, perhaps throw pillows to a sofa, new vases and flowers, and changing the lighting. They can change the feel of a room instantly!
14 Best coffee table book?
KH Grace: Thirty Years Of Fashion At Vogue by Peter Lindbergh and Bruce Weber.
15 What’s your fave way to spend a lazy Sunday?
KH Going to my cottage in the countryside and eating great food and watching films with my daughter.
16 Do you like to be the entertainer or be entertained?
KH Both, but mostly the entertainer. I love hosting friends at home.
17 What do you think is the best renovation you can do to your home?
KH Changing the wall and ceiling colour, and lighting. By investing the time to update these things you will completely change the feel of your home. For example, a smaller room painted in neutral shade will appear a lot bigger than a dark-walled room.
18 What is your fave space that you’ve designed?
KH I am proud of all the projects that I have done, it’s hard to pick one.
19 What’s the biggest design faux pas?
KH Not planning. You need to think of everything as any mistakes can cost you! And keep it simple, don’t over do it on the colour front.
20 Marilyn, Audrey or Jackie?
KH All of them were such inspiring, incredible women but Marilyn is my idol and muse.
1 If you could shadow any designer for a day, who would it be?
Kelly Hoppen Tom Ford because I love how he creates the spaces in his film. It completely opened my eyes to doing something new... I would love to do a film interior set.
2 Where do you look for an obscure source of inspiration?
KH Finding inspiration for me is a case of having time to clear my mind and allow myself to feel inspired. This normally happens when I take time off and when I travel. But I do also find great inspiration from the students who attend my design school.
3 Favourite restaurant?
KH The restaurant at The Arts Club in Dover Street, London, I love the fish and shellfish. The atmosphere there is great!
4 What’s your favourite room to decorate?
KH All of them, but I really love to do kitchen designs because it’s the heart of the home and a lot of thought needs to go into making it a social space where the family will come together and talk.
5 What’s your current paint colour obsession?
KH It’s always taupe, although I recently painted a wall in my office red as my Feng Shui consultant Richard Ashworth advised this since it’s the year of the dragon. I used a paint called "Red Dragon" which is part of my paint collection with Graham & Brown! It's what I call a calm red and it's meant to subdue your mood and make you feel war rather than a fiery angry red which gets your pulse racing. When I walk in to my office in the mornings I'm overwhelmed at how amazing the room feels. Everything has changed with a simple splash of colour. I may be the Queen of Taupe but this red has made me feel incredibly happy and full of new energy to make 2012 the best year yet.
6 If one song could be the soundtrack to your life, what would it be?
KH Ain’t No Mountain High Enough!
7 What’s the one store you could spend hours browsing?
KH Colette in Paris - I love all the amazing things you can find there.
8 London, Paris or New York?
KH London is definitely my favourity city in the world to live and Paris is my favourite city to visit – the shopping is fantastic in both places!
9 If money were no object, what one thing would you buy?
KH An airplane, it would make my hectic travel schedule a lot easier!
10 What do you consider to be the most iconic design piece of the past century?
KH There a couple of iconic designs I love - the Charles Eames Chair, Riva Classic Yacht and Aston Martin DBs.
11 Favourite movie?
KH It’s a Wonderful World - I love the story!
12 What’s your favourite movie interior?
KH Tom Ford’s film, A Single Man.
13 What do you think is the easiest way to update a room?
KH Adding a few new accessories, perhaps throw pillows to a sofa, new vases and flowers, and changing the lighting. They can change the feel of a room instantly!
14 Best coffee table book?
KH Grace: Thirty Years Of Fashion At Vogue by Peter Lindbergh and Bruce Weber.
15 What’s your fave way to spend a lazy Sunday?
KH Going to my cottage in the countryside and eating great food and watching films with my daughter.
16 Do you like to be the entertainer or be entertained?
KH Both, but mostly the entertainer. I love hosting friends at home.
17 What do you think is the best renovation you can do to your home?
KH Changing the wall and ceiling colour, and lighting. By investing the time to update these things you will completely change the feel of your home. For example, a smaller room painted in neutral shade will appear a lot bigger than a dark-walled room.
18 What is your fave space that you’ve designed?
KH I am proud of all the projects that I have done, it’s hard to pick one.
19 What’s the biggest design faux pas?
KH Not planning. You need to think of everything as any mistakes can cost you! And keep it simple, don’t over do it on the colour front.
20 Marilyn, Audrey or Jackie?
KH All of them were such inspiring, incredible women but Marilyn is my idol and muse.
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