Q&A with iconic British designer Kelly Hoppen

Photos by Mel Yates

In your latest book Kelly Hoppen: How To Achieve The Home Of Your Dreams, you give advice on how to perfect a signature style for your home. What is your signature style?
My design ethos is to create timeless elegance. I use neutral tones, layering and sumptuous fabrics.

Where do you draw inspiration from?
I find inspiration everywhere, from travelling the globe sourcing accessories and seeing an exhibition to reading books and watching films while I relax at my cottage in the beautiful English countryside. Inspiration mainly comes to me when I take a few minutes away from my normal routine to just sit back and reset my mind.

What do you love about being a designer?
Since I was a child, I have always wanted to be a designer. My mother always tells me that as a child I was constantly shifting furniture around our home, displaying everything at its best. I am very lucky to be doing a job I love and to have such supportive family and friends.

What is your go-to hue?
Taupe is my favourite colour! I love a neutral palette. Neutrals form the base of all my designs and are calming and harmonious.

* Hoppen has been called the Queen
of Taupe!

Favourite city? Why?
London is definitely my favourite city in the world to live in and Paris is my favourite city to visit – it is not far from London and the shopping is fantastic.

If you could design a space for a famous person (past or present), who would it be?
I am a very big fan of Pharrell Williams and would love to work with him.

What exciting new projects do you have on the horizons?
I am very excited for my new projects coming up in India and Beijing. And the continuing new additions to my kellyhoppen.com