Kelly Hoppen is a name synonymous with timeless design and understated luxury. Known for her signature neutral palettes, minimalist elegance, and a unique blend of Eastern and Western aesthetics, she has transformed spaces around the world. In conversation with Editor, Vicky Lewis, Kelly shared insights into her journey, her passion for hospitality design, and what drives her to keep innovating.
Kelly Hoppen’s rise to prominence didn’t follow the traditional path of formal design education. Instead, it was her enthusiasm and tenacity that propelled her into the world of interiors. “My journey into design was driven more by passion than formal education,” she shared.
Kelly’s story began when she left school at the age of 16, ready to carve out her own path. “Being dyslexic, I often felt out of place at school,” she recalled. “But as soon as I left, I started designing projects for friends and friends of family. When you have the opportunity to work on something you are passionate about, no matter how small, doing it well inevitably leads to more projects.”
Kelly’s hands-on experience allowed her to hone her skills and develop her now-iconic style. “That early experience really helped me solidify my aesthetic—an integral part of any successful design journey,” she said. Her ability to focus on simplicity, balance, and harmony soon became hallmarks of her work, laying the foundation for what would become a globally recognised brand.
While she has designed for a wide array of spaces, including private residences, Kelly’s venture into hospitality design offered unique challenges and rewards. “Design, for me, is all about functionality and harmony,” she explained. “I love to create spaces that serve as a backdrop to people’s lives, providing them with the opportunity and encouragement to be the best version of themselves.”
In hospitality design, the challenge is magnified, she explained: “You’re not just designing for one person or one family—you’re creating a space that needs to cater to a wide range of people from different backgrounds, all of whom have different needs.”
Kelly’s focus on order, flow, and harmony is perfectly suited to hospitality design, where the dynamic nature of the space must accommodate guests with varying tastes and requirements: “Every detail is curated to enhance each guest’s individual experience,” she said. “At the same time, hospitality design allows for the incorporation of local culture and environment, which brings a deeper, more personal element to the space.
Kelly Hoppen’s career is full of standout projects, but some experiences have pushed her outside of traditional boundaries—like designing for the skies. One of her most unique projects was designing the British Airways First Class cabin. “This was a particularly different experience for me at the time,” she explained. “We had to test all the materials to see how they would react in the air before finalising them. I had never done anything like that before, but it was an amazing experience.”
Equally memorable was her work designing for Celebrity Cruises, particularly the Celebrity Edge ship, a milestone in luxury cruise design. “Designing for the sea is very different from designing for land-based hospitality,” she explained. “At the same time, I set out to create a luxury boutique experience at sea. Being at sea is adventurous, yet also very calming, and it’s important to capture both elements in the design.”
Working with restricted spaces and the unique challenges of sea travel meant that every inch had to be thoughtfully planned. “You have to utilise and stylise every crevice,” she said. “We really managed to capture the excitement of undocking and feeling a real sense of adventure on the sea—the places you’ll explore, the people you may meet on board. We also incorporated some incredible advancements in cruise design and technology.” Her work on the Celebrity Edge earned widespread acclaim and redefined what luxury could look like on the high seas.
Kelly’s interior design journey has been marked by her ability to stay ahead of trends whilst maintaining her timeless aesthetic. As the design world continues to evolve, particularly in hospitality, she is excited about the future: “We have many exciting projects coming up,” she teased, “but what really excites me is the way technology is evolving in luxury hotel design.”
The integration of technology into design has opened new doors for Kelly and her team, allowing enhancements of guest experience in ways that were previously unimaginable. “Technology in hotel design is continuously evolving, and I’m really enjoying learning how to use that in my work,” she said. This includes everything from smart lighting and automated temperature control to more personalised and seamless experiences for hotel guests.
Sustainability and wellness have also become central themes in her recent projects. “The growing importance of wellness and sustainability in hospitality has a great relationship with my style,” she shared. “It’s really exciting to get to work on projects that emphasise my favourite aspects of design—natural lighting, open spaces, neutral tones, plants, and natural materials.” These elements have always been present in her work, but today, they are more relevant than ever as clients increasingly prioritise health, well-being, and environmental responsibility in their homes and hotels.
Every designer has a unique process for transforming a client’s vision into a finished product, and for Kelly, that journey always begins with a deep connection: “Talking with the client and really getting to know them is a fundamental part of the beginning of any design process,” she emphasised. “I’m a very instinctive person, and I get very close to people when I’m designing for them. That’s because good design is about understanding the feelings and experiences that people want to find in your work.”
Once she’s established a mutual vision with the client, Kelly and her team get to work: “It’s a flexible process where I build on different ideas as I go, blending the client’s vision with my experience,” she said. “We locate pieces, work on the flow of space, and maintain constant communication with the client. It’s all about collaboration.”
This process allows for the space to evolve naturally, ensuring that the finished product is both beautiful and functional. The result? A space that not only reflects the client’s personality but also embodies Kelly’s timeless, sophisticated touch.
After decades of design, one could wonder what’s left for someone like Kelly Hoppen to achieve—but for her, the possibilities are endless. “I’m truly humbled and grateful for my design journey,” she said. “There’s an endless list of exciting things that I get to do. I don’t know that I could pinpoint something I’m still waiting for—I just love working on amazing projects with great clients and want to continue for as long as I can.”
Still, she is open exploring new types of projects: “I recently got asked if I had designed a horse box, now that would be new for me,” she laughed. “I actually would love to design the interiors of a train, as I love the idea of traveling by train in style. I think that would be a fabulous challenge.”
In addition to exploring these unconventional projects, Kelly is keen to continue expanding her product collections. “I want to keep designing more furniture, accessories, and linen, making my style accessible to as many people as possible,” she said. Her product lines, such as her fabrics line in partnership with Richloom Contracts, allow her to share her design philosophy with a broader audience, bringing her signature elegance into spaces around the world.
Kelly Hoppen’s career is a testament to the power of passion, creativity, and a deep understanding of how people live, work, and relax in the spaces around them. From private residences to five-star hotels, cruise ships to airplanes, her work has touched almost every facet of luxury design, all while staying true to her unique aesthetic.
Her timeless designs, rooted in simplicity and harmony, will continue to inspire and influence for years to come. And while the future promises new challenges and opportunities, one thing is certain—Kelly Hoppen will continue to redefine what it means to live beautifully.
