DESIGN DYNAMO
Karen Kranenburg talks to
“Footprints” interior designer Kelly Hoppen
t was like taking a walk down memory lane, when I went to meet
with Kelly Hoppen in her St. Stephen’s Yard studio in Notting Hill. I
had trod those very pavements for over 15 years as a resident of
the eclectic neighbourhood; home of chic restaurants, well heeled
Londoners, artisans, designers and the ever popular Portobello Rd
Market, and even though the autumn breeze was chilly as I
meandered my way from Queensway to Chesptow Rd, there was
a certain warmth of familiarity that permeated, it was as though
Notting Hill had opened its arms to embrace me like a long lost friend.
An equally warm and animated welcome awaited me at Kelly
Hoppen Design Studio, as she had hastily made space in her busy
schedule to see me as I was only in London for the day. It’s easy
to see why she has been such a success, her infectious smile
and energy captivate you from
the moment you meet her, and
her passion for design is clearly
evident. For an award winning
designer of her stature, there
is nothing divaesque about her
mannerisms at all, to the contrary,
she is humble and engaging but
proud of what she has been able
to achieve over the last 40 years
- a number that belies her actual
appearance. Her flawless face
lights up as she talks about her
design journey and projects, past,
present and future. But I am here
to speak about one in particular;
a very elegant beach home in
Barbados called “Footprints”.....
before we peep through those
doors though, I was keen to find
out who Kelly Hoppen is? and
what was the secret of her
phenomenal success?
The creative aesthetic runs
deep in her veins... she said she
always knew she wante d to
b e a designer.. “I think I have
been moving furniture around
since I was 4”. At age 16 she was
given the opportunity to design
the kitchen of a family friend,
a m o d e st c o m mission that
ultimately launched a design
empire. In the intervening years she has stamped her signature
understated luxury on homes, yachts, jets of private clients, as well
as hotels restaurants, offices and even aircrafts.
Honoured by the Queen with an MBE in 2009, Kelly Hoppen
describes herself as an “alpha woman”, with over 50 projects on the
go at present, one wonders when she finds time to sleep much less
do anything else.. The secret lies in the incredible team she has
surrounded herself with; her Notting Hill Studio is one part nervous
system, other part spinal chord, with Kelly as the head givi n g
i t d i re c tion. Even though she has a staff of 75+ across
the o p eration, she is still very hands on and very protective
of brand “Kelly Hoppen”.... “I never put my name to something