UK Interior Designer Kelly Hoppen at the Top of Her Game

Kelly Hoppen

Irwin Weiner ASID - London interior designer and trendsetter Kelly Hoppen is a professional I truly admire. Her books are top drawer, her designs are elegant and sublime, and - from this side of the Atlantic - she looks like she's really having a good time. We know how much hard work and mental perspiration goes into crafting ahead-of-their-times interiors, but Kelly seems to pull it all off with ease. Truly admirable.

I enjoyed this video because it shows a relaxed sense of style, attention to her clients' needs, an appreciation for a large scale project, and her sense of humor - witness her cheeky comment about having a place to go on holiday. Attagirl! 

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Update on April 13, 2011 by Design2Share

Super King Size Leather Beds: We just found a great collection of sleek leather bed designs. They add sophistication, whether your bedroom decor is traditional or modern. 

Featured Project: DIY Painted Headboard

Now is the perfect time to think about freshening up your interior space. With a splash of color here and a new piece of furniture there, it's easy to redecorate. Here's a quick, budget-conscious DIY design idea to help get you started.

Paint Your Own Headboard

Chances are if you if you purchased your bed frame as part of a bedroom set, the headboard is already included. If you don't want to put forth the extra cash, especially after paying for a pricey mattress, no problem! Painted headboards are a great way to add a pop of color to your bedroom.

Step 1: Measure the width of the head of your bed and mark it with blue painter's tape from floor to ceiling. Now, choose your color based on your desired color scheme. You obviously don't want it to be the same shade as your walls, but it should complement that color.

Step 2: Once you have your color, paint the wall, staying within the blue painters tape. Once the paint dries, if you choose to do so, you can detail with paint or with some removable wall decals from a company like Blik. For as little as $40, Blik makes easily removable wall decals in fun shapes like bookshelves, chandeliers, birds, etc. If this sounds like too much work, don't worry and leave your wall a solid color.

Step 3: Simply position your bed up against the painted wall, prop up some decorative Euro pillows in coordinating colors and patterns, and you have yourself a headboard. You might want to take this opportunity to invest in a new comforter or duvet in fun, light, spring colors. You'd be surprised at what a little bit of paint and some new bedding can do for your space!

Contemporary vanities and more at Decor Planet for your bathroom needs.

Spring Planning: Plant an English Cottage Garden

Terry Winters for Guardian News and Media Limited
Jay Johnson - While our Design2Share interior design expert Irwin Weiner is away in Venice with a client, I'm keeping our daily video features going. Our editors and I found a great intro video covering the basics of planning an English cottage garden - more rambling, casual, fragrant, and colorful than typical North American plots.

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UK Antique Heaven

Irwin Weiner ASID - I was a happy camper when I bought antiques, primarily British silver, for my mother's antique shop in Cape Town. I've since gone into my own interior design practice and have shopped in London with clients for antiques and fine furnishings.

One thing is certain about UK antiques shopping - if you see that a dealer is a member of LAPADA, The Association of Art and Antique Dealers, you can feel confident that they abide by a great code of conduct and have gained admission to the "club" based on the outstanding quality of their goods.

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Expanding Table

Irwin Weiner ASID - There is nothing more useful than having a round dining table that expands in seconds. First, the round design is versatile and easy to decorate around. The shape is nicer to sit around and more engaging for conversation. We loved the DB Fletcher Capstan Table, which unlocks from underneath and rotates to a more open, larger tabletop surface! It easily folds back down to its smaller round area, too. Watch the demo video and check out the DB Fletcher website (a great UK bespoke furniture maker) for more information. 

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