DESIGNS FOR LIFE

In this week's episode of our wellbeing podcast In a Good Place, interior designer Kelly Hoppen talks to HELLO!'s editor at large Rosie Nixon about breast cancer, ageing and David Beckham

- RIA HOPKINSON

Kelly Hoppen is one of the UK's top interior designers. Known for using muted colours, she has transformed the homes of celebrities including the Beckhams (right, with Victoria), as well as making her style available via affordable collections such as K for Kelly Hoppen.

She received an MBE in 2009 for services to interior design and was appointed a CBE in 2020 for her work to promote the UK.

Born in Cape Town, Kelly has a studio and home in London but spends weekends in the Cotswolds. She has one daughter, food writer Natasha Corrett, from her first marriage, and was stepmother to Sienna and Savannah Miller during her second.

At 64, the busy designer - who has also written 13 books and appeared on Dragons' Den - has no desire to retire: just one of the things she discusses in HELLO!'s podcast In a Good Place...

Kelly, are you in a good place?

"I'm in an amazing place. I'm happy, healthy and counting down the days to Christmas."

Do people avoid showing you their house until it's in a good place?

"People take years to invite me to their home, thinking I'm going to criticise it. It's crazy. I've got friends who say: 'We'll have to move before you can come. Or they puff their cushions for a week before I arrive."

When did you first get into design?

"When I was ten. I was obsessed with Architectural Digest and I designed my bedroom at the age of 13. It had felt walls in chocolate brown. How revolting!

"I loved how welcoming my grandparents' house felt, and that was my takeaway as a child - to create that experience. I think I was born to do this."

Did your parents nurture your budding creative streak?