Kelly Hoppen’s studio in an unassuming side street in West London is as you’d expect – a large, neutral space, walls adorned with beautiful interior projects, oversized lamps and artfully positioned objet d’art created by the woman herself.
Then you notice rows of smiling people chatting, making coffee and clicking mouses; it’s evident this is a working design studio for an incredibly successful creative, regardless of the fame and fanfare surrounding the founder.
Hoppen is all smiles for a grey Monday; is it OK if I call her Kelly? “Of course it is – Kel, Kelly”, she responds without a pause, and beams, genuinely surprised by the question.
It’s quite a thing to sit opposite such a renowned interior designer – without being indelicate, she has been in the industry for more than 48 years, with innumerable TV appearances, global prestige projects, brand collaborations, books, products and a CBE on her CV.
Something about her smile suggests she’s ‘been there and done that’: knowing, no-nonsense but still calm and approachable. This is someone who embodies good taste, but there is also a wonderfully sly wickedness to her bubbling under the surface.
She is a tour de force of kindly opinion and disarming straightforwardness in person, and it’s easy to see how she inspired countless people to tackle their homes and create spaces they really love, through her books and television appearances. And yet, at the other end of the spectrum, she counts the likes of Boy George, Madonna, Elton John, and the Beckhams as her private clients.
David Venni
Square Mile: Congratulations on your new collaboration with M&S – you’re now on every high street in the UK, that’s not
a bad way to end Summer 2024…
Kelly Hoppen: I know, right? It’s the dream. I always wanted to do something on the high street. M&S has a really special place in my heart; my father was involved in menswear. If my dad were alive – I could burst into tears right now – he would be so proud. It’s amazing.
SM: So there's a family connection, too…
KH: Yeah. And during Covid, suddenly everyone’s homes became so much more important. We were all stuck at home – and I had this dream to be able to do something where everyone could have what they actually wanted in their homes. A little bit of luxury. Like in fashion. Gucci is very lovely but I still go to Zara. There’s that crossover: reinventing myself for the high street. I’ve kept this secret for a year and
a half which has been really hard.
SM: It’s an egalitarian way to make your designs more accessible: your portfolio is very diverse. Is there one particular project you’re especially proud of?
KH: I know it sounds really boring, but I genuinely am proud of all the work we do here – the interior design and product has my name on it and we have loads of designers here in the studio, a wealth of creativity, like a family.
I get excited about every single project. I sometimes open my cupboard – which is such a mess – and I pull out something and think ‘Oh god, I’d forgotten we did that!’
The reason I’m still here is because I’m challenged constantly. I’m very honoured that people will come to me and have me push the boundaries. On the whole, society is very conformist and we tend to chug along doing whatever, but that’s boring to me. The wealth of youth here and the way they push me and the way my wisdom pushes them; it’s a really interesting mixture. I’m constantly surprised how they push my mindset to come in from left field and try new things.
SM: Design can move quickly, trends come and go, but it can also be quite cyclic.
KH: Yeah. I’m also a typical Leo though, I want everything now now now, or yesterday. That’s why keeping the M&S partnership a secret was so hard. Like an 18-month pregnancy…
SM: The longest pregnancy of all time. Researching for this piece, you’ve often been referred to as the ‘Queen of Taupe’. That feels like a gross oversimplification. Does it ever piss you off?
KH: Haha, when I was first written about in the press in my late 20s, I had this obsession with taupe – and nobody had used it before. That became my adjective.
If I look at it with my business cap on, it really helped grow the business, my brand. It made me an adjective: ‘Oh that’s very Hoppen.’ What annoys me now is the people saying ‘you never use colour’ and that for me is someone who hasn’t done their research. My latest book is bloody filled with colour. I just think the base should be neutral – live in your home and add your own identity. Add your own stuff over time and don’t keep redoing every room, I believe it should be a mix of things.
David Venni
David Venni
SM: You’ve said before you have no design training. And you started out when you were only 16?
KH: I was 16, nearly 17, hated school, my dad had died and I just wanted to get away from everything. I was offered a job designing a kitchen for my stepfather’s friend, then one of my girlfriends was having this affair with a Grand Prix racing driver, and they kind of pulled me in; she and I started doing homes together.
I was completely self taught: I look at some of my team who are so brilliant at SketchUp – and I never learnt any of that. It’s easier with social media to get yourself out there now, but for me at the time it felt like a brave thing to do, but it was just normal, I didn’t know anything else.
SM: A ‘normal’ mix of confidence and creativity, may be a healthy dose of naivety?
KH: Yes! And fear! But having lost my dad there was a fear of never being able to rely on someone. So I was determined to make my own money and do it all myself.
It was never about being famous or any of that. Just being good at what I did, being successful in that way.
SM: But fame has found you – how do you feel about the fact your name is a brand? You’re a human being, a persona, and an adjective. How do you balance that?
KH: I kind of flipped that recently though, I think. During Covid I was on my phone every day talking to my followers and bearing my soul, pouring my heart out when we were all going through a really awful time. It felt like a Renaissance of me, just being myself. I was allowing myself to be seen in a very different way and I’ve continued it because I love it. I answered all my own messages on Instagram this weekend. Yes, there is fame and getting recognised, but I’ve never been made to feel uncomfortable with it. I love getting into taxis and talking: it’s warming.
It was never about being famous or any of that. Just being good at what I did, being successful in that way.
SM: So how would you describe your sense of style now?
KH: It’s really hard to describe, but there was a time when I called it purist. Hmmm, I just don’t know. But I just think it’s hard because I’m not a minimalist, maximalist or traditionalist. I just tune into people.
My joy is creating backdrops for people to live in. One thing I do know, having just handed over yet another project last week, everyone said, ‘It just feels so good be in the space, it’s amazing.’ That’s what I do. A dynamic and balance of texture, form, colour and light that calms people.
SM: One journalist described your approach as being ‘zen’. It sounds almost → spiritual when put like that. Would you say design is a cathartic experience for you?
KH: Yes and even deeper than that. People don’t realise how intimate you get when you’re designing their private homes. I carry that into commercial spaces too, which is quite unique I think. Every sense and how the spaces should feel.
I don’t want to be in a hotel, crawling around trying to find a socket. That’s melted into everyone in the team: we all feel really strongly about well thought-out spaces that speak to the soul.
SM: You’re an empathetic designer, I think – and you give advice on social media. I just saw you on TikTok. How does it feel
to make a foray on to that platform?
KH: Haha, yes I know. I work my entire life building a business and then I end up on TikTok unchopping cushions! I’m trying my hardest at the age of 65 to do it, but it’s funny – and there are moments when you can let your hair down.
Both myself and John [Gardiner, Kelly’s partner] will wake up on the weekend and go onto an algorithm of certain jokes and music, and I love it. My friend Melissa Odabash sent me one this weekend which was brilliant.
SM: There is a saying that we build our algorithms brick by brick based on our preferences. Some of the content creators are talking about micro-trend in interiors. Have you seen it, do you have any thoughts on micro trends and aesthetics?
KH: No, absolutely none! Ha! I’m not into trends at all. But I’m fascinated by influencers. They’re amazing and I think it’s very clever: how people have built
a business out of nothing really, and I’m always impressed with how they can make a living by influencing other people;
it’s really quite brilliant.
SM: Trends that come and go seem to be an unsustainable thing. What are your thoughts on sustainability within the interiors industry?
KH: Very soon you’re going to hear something that’s amazing but I can’t discuss it just yet. People like LVMH are being really innovative, taking clothing and remaking them into something new and it's so interesting but there is a project we’ll be doing which is very big – so watch this space.
But you’re right, our industry is really far behind right now because it is so important.
SM: And so many of your designs and products are about longevity.
KH: Exactly. Choose well, buy less, evaluate and move things around before buying new. People are very habit forming but we shouldn’t be throwing things out.
Doing what my grandparents did which was to collect, where the home is part of their life and memories. It’s like plastic surgery: sure, we all want to look as good as we can and all that, but every line of your face is part of your history. The pieces we buy for our homes should be there for life. Something to pass on if you can.
SM: So what places inspire you?
KH: Oh gosh, everything inspires me. Meeting new people, scents, music, eating, TV, family, seeing girlfriends. People think I just get inspired by spaces or galleries or cities. That goes into the pot too, but open your eyes to everything. It’s not all on your phone. I’m trying hard to put my phone down more at the moment when I get on trains and in cars.
SM: Speaking of screens, are you on Celebrity Interior Design Masters?
KH: I did Interior Design Masters last year and loved it – I’ve known Michelle [Ogundehin, international interior design authority] for a million years and Alan [Carr, comedian and presenter] is one of my dearest friends. It’s a great show.
Will I do something bigger on television eventually? Yes, but for now I’m wiser and I know my focus is on this new launch and the business here, but we’ll see. Plus, I love doing This Morning. Eavesdropping and helping people? I love it.
See more at kellyhoppeninteriors.com
