Speaking of style...before I go any further posting projects and sharing my likes and loves in the world of design and decor, I’d like to speak a bit more about my favorite interior designer, which should give everyone a better understanding of my personal esthetic preferences and inspiration.
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Years ago after having just bought our first condo, one of the presents my husband and I got from a friend was a gift card to Chapters (book store). So we headed to the home-decor section of the store, and I picked up the the newly reprinted book STYLE – THE GOLDEN RULES OF DESIGN by Kelly Hoppen. I didn’t know who Kelly Hoppen was at the time, but one glance at the book and I WAS IN LOVE. I couldn’t put the book down. I can’t even count the number of times I read through that book or reached for specific sections, and each time I approached it with a different goal and perspective. What I loved about Kelly Hoppen and that book was not just the look and feel she presented, but her explanations as to why we chose certain things in the home, why certain placements, texture-colour-shape-size pairings work and enhance a space (and equally, why others don’t work). This of course is an incredibly hard task – naturally talented artists will often say that they just know what looks right when they see it, but it’s hard to come up with theories and rules as to why something looks good – this takes so much more examination to to arrive at an explanation. But she did it.
So here we are almost a decade later, many book releases later, and Kelly Hoppen is still my #1 favorite designer, and her books are still my go-to references. As her couture designs evolve over time and her contemporary trend-setting continues, those basic rules she advocates remain well, golden rules, for they still hold true.
If you love contemporary design that also makes a home inviting, delivers warmth, comfort and functionality, you need Kelly Hoppen in your life. I’m telling you! Ms. Hoppen is a powerhouse in the world of contemporary design and living (if you don’t know anything about her, Google her name and behold). Her books are outstanding and the projects she presents on her websites are pure eye candy. (She even has her own line of decor and furnishings for purchase should that interest any of you!)
http://kellyhoppeninteriors.com/
Two of my other favorite books by Kelly Hoppen MBE: INTERIORS – Inspiration and Design Solutions for Stylish, Comfortable Interiors and DESIGN MASTERCLASS – How to Achieve the Home of Your Dreams (this one is a must have!)
Who are your favorite designers? Which ones inspire you? Comment below!
