Kelly Hoppen: 2010 is all about customising and comfort
As we pull ourselves out of recession, award-winning British interior designer Kelly Hoppen says that the big trend for the year ahead is linear shabby chic – with people wanting their homes to look lived-in and loved, personalised, customised and cosy
“2010 seems to have sprung around so quickly with so much having happened last year.
“The recession has been unpleasant and a huge struggle for so many but what it has done, on a positive note as far as I am concerned, it has made people in all industries more level headed, more down to earth and wanting to be part of a team again. It seems like the horrible greediness has gone although I am sure it will raise its ugly head again, however for the moment there is a good feeling in the air and everyone is working hard together because they want to and not because they feel like prisoners.
“This year, I have thought long and hard about writing my annual trend report, I feel that times have changed but people still want luxury, that is for sure. There is still money out there, but the meaning of luxury has been redefined in my eyes.
“I believe the trend for this up and coming year can be described as Linear Shabby Chic.
“People now want their homes to look like they have lived in them for years, slightly comfortable and a bit creased but with a defined edginess to it, looking like a look has been thrown together with a bit of this from his house and a bit of this from hers and some bits from granny’s, if you know what I mean.
“The emphasis will be on the important pieces in the home like art, photography and wonderful Willy Rizzo coffee tables (which I have been collecting for a year); these are the pieces people are still investing in.
“I am thrilled about this as it is the way I have enjoyed living the last year and actually want to move again to take this to a different level altogether. Don’t get me wrong though, this is not a squashy country look, it is in fact still very city, very LA, very New York, Paris and so on, but it has a softer edge with creases as well as defining lines which are pure and clever. This softer edge style includes the use of things like haberdashery on sofas, for example, you can take a simple sofa which is upholstered in linen but the back cushions are in a vintage linen, featuring possibly buttons in chesterfield style or some wacky fringing but the shape of the sofa is very defined and chic, the difference is that now it is customised.
“Your home is not there to say how much you have but it needs to say how happy and comfortable you are in the most chic way possible!”
PICTURED ABOVE: ‘Amelie’ large grey sofa £1999; ‘Josephine’ black lacquer coffee table £479; Black button detail round cushion £30; Pink ‘rose stripe’ cushion £40; ‘Sophie’ pink lacquer floor lamp £155; ‘Charlotte’ black mock-croc mirror £950; Small black diamante vase £25; Large black candlestick £20; Medium black candlestick £16; Pink mock-snakeskin box £25; ‘Persia sapphire’ espresso cup and saucer £5.50; all by Pied a Terre, from House of FraserKelly’s interiors trend tips for 2010:
COLOURS
Neutrals still rock and always will, as far as I’m concerned, but the added bits like art, photography etc, as just described, can be anycolour you like.
LIGHTING
This is very very important, as I always say. Hidden and concealed lighting creating clever shadows and then adding magnificent star pieces to be lit, builds character and ambience.
FLOORING
Carpets and rugs with pattern, shag and thick piles with a comfortable sinking feeling are a must for this year. Real wooden flooring is also set to be big.
DINING
Tabletops will be mix and match and dining refectory tables are in, not only in wood but with edgy lacquers, and yes, benches are going to be huge but with massive vintage or modern lighting hanging above the table to give the linear shabby chic feel.
FURNITURE
Anything goes really, but sofas will be rounder and deeper than we’re used to. Vintage coffee tables and piled trunks will be seen, often in materials that you would not normally expect.
KITCHENS
Designs will be simple but with a modern twist, plates will be on show giving the kitchen a very Italian look and feel.
BEDROOMS
Bedrooms will be sexy, warm and inviting with lots of texture. There will however be less in the room making the bed the star piece, a place that you need to be able to sink into and sleep soundly.
WALLS
Walls will be very seductive and edged and capped in metals. Wallpaper will be also be massive this year and it will all be textural so don’t be surprised to see wood chip paper reappearing.
