Roaring Trade

From Dragons’ Den to celebrity cruise ships, via fireplace and carpet designs, Kelly Hoppen tells Mark Kebble about four exhilarating decades in the business

- Mark Kebble

KELLY HOPPEN’S London home is an eye-opener. It’s full of unusual lighting designs and quirky accessories, yet feels remarkably warm and inviting – and is a real showcase for taupe. ‘My style evolves on an on-going basis, but my core design principles remain the same – I will always champion taupe!’ she laughs. ‘I’ve never been driven by trends, instead I believe in classic, luxurious design that stands the test of time. It’s East meets West, with a modern edge. The style of my furnishings has definitely gone in different directions over the last four decades.”

Remarkably, it’s four decades since Kelly first started plying her trade in the interior design world and, today, her expertise is used in everything from hotels and cruise ships, to her own accessories range that are lovingly on show in her London and West Yorkshire showrooms. ‘I can honestly say I love them all,’ she says of the many different strings to her bow. ‘Every different project presents a unique challenge, and for someone who has been in the business for 41 years now, I love delving into new areas of design. Next on the list is a film or TV set.’