Kelly Hoppen began her career at the age of 16 when she was given the opportunity to design a family friend’s kitchen. This modest commission kick-started one of the most celebrated and extraordinary careers in the design industry.

Kelly Hoppen

Kelly is known for using a neutral colour palette in taupe and beige. She says “I’m enormously flattered that the ‘Kelly Hoppen look’ has become one which is both widely recognised and used by many people around the world when developing the interior style for their own homes. Neutral palettes, beautiful textures and an East meets West aesthetic are all parts of my signature look. I’ve always wanted people to feel a great sense of warmth in their home, cocooned in comfort and surrounded by gorgeous pieces which I’ve discovered, all of which help to enhance those feelings of calm and relaxation.”  Today, Kelly puts her stamp on the homes, yachts and jets of private clients, as well as many commercial projects the world over, including hotels, bars, restaurants, yachts, offices, aircraft and tower blocks.

Kelly says “The most important element for transforming the ordinary into the show-stoppingly extraordinary is to go the extra mile. Style is not always about designing the room to perfection, but looking at the project as a whole and how everything works together.”

In 2013, Kelly became an investor on BBC Two’s hit Dragon’s Den entrepreneur show and has since invested and helped make a success of several businesses including Skinny Tan, Reviveaphone and Clean Heals, to name a few.

Kelly is the author of eight books to date, she has an e-commerce store selling self designed interiors accessory range and she has also partnered a select number of licensees to offer a range of other home products including fabrics, shutters, paints, scents, furniture, wallpaper, taps, prints and products on QVC UK.

Kelly is the recipient of copious design awards and was made an MBE for her services to interior design in 2009. Recognised for the passion of empowering women in business, she was awarded the NatWest Everywoman Ambassador award in December 2013.  Kelly is an ambassador for the Princes Trust and the Princes Initiative for Mature Enterprise, the Government’s GREAT campaign and has worked with UK Trade & Investment mentoring small and medium sized businesses. She is also an anti-bullying ambassador for the Diana Award.

Kelly has been married twice and has a daughter and two step daughters.  She lives in London with her partner, a retired businessman.

So, why is she a #Houseproud hero?

Kelly is famous for her taupe colour palette and her trademark vintage-inspired East-meets-West style.  She’s one of the most well known interior designers and her style and philosophy have been inspiring us for the last two decades. She says:

“Learn to look not just with your eyes but with your heart. The truth is that style and taste are all relative. It is not a question whether or not someone has good taste. It is how something feels to the individual…Open your heart and mind to the world, and find the things that connect with you. How else will you know how to design your home?”

Want to find out more?

Kelly on Twitter

Kelly's interior design website