Renowned for her signature neutral palettes and sculptural elegance, Kelly Hoppen CBE brings her distinctive vision to a serene Hong Kong residence. A five-storey apartment where texture, proportion, and light converge in quiet harmony.
Few designers are as synonymous with modern luxury interior design as South-African-born, Britain-based Kelly Hoppen CBE. With more than four decades of trailblazing work, Hoppen’s signature aesthetic, rooted in a harmonious blend of clean lines, sculptural form, and timeless neutrals, has come to define understated opulence across continents. From superyachts to city penthouses, her refined sensibility has shaped some of the world’s most exclusive spaces, including this sculptural five-storey Hong Kong residence on the city’s southern coast.
Commanding panoramic sea views, the Hong Kong apartment is a study in serenity. In the main living area, natural light floods through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, glancing off Italian-marble floors and timber-panelled walls. At its centre, a sculptural Coffee Bean table by Paris-based duo McCollin Bryan acts as the gravitational heart of the room; an emblem of Hoppen’s ability to balance strength and softness.
“I’ve been using McCollin Bryan’s work for years,” says Hoppen. “The Bean Table is soft in form yet solid in presence. It’s on wheels, so it’s playful and practical—cold to the touch but beautiful for display, and it truly stands the test of time. In the Stanley Project, it anchors the room without dominating it.”
Throughout, the neutral palette remains elegantly restrained: soft creams, layered greys, and subtle metallics allow architectural detailing and statement pieces to take quiet centre stage. “Designing with a neutral palette isn’t limiting,” Hoppen notes. “It gives you greater scope. You can layer far more textures because it becomes about discovery, about creating something immersive, a feast for the eyes and the senses. It’s not just what you see, but what you touch and feel.”
In the dining area, a Molteni &C Gio Ponti table sits beneath Milky Way pendants by Giopato & Coombes, surrounded by curved Meridiani chairs. A bespoke de Gournay mural adds a delicate wash of colour to the monochrome calm. “Artwork is essential,” says Hoppen. “Bespoke artwork elevates individuality. Every wall matters. What you see when you enter, when you sit, when you move, it’s all intentional.”
Hoppen’s interiors reveal themselves in subtle gestures. Minimalist screens create intimacy without enclosure. “Screens divide space beautifully,” she explains. “They add architectural texture, something often overlooked. People think of texture as soft fabrics, cushions or rugs, but hard textures are equally vital, especially in contemporary homes.”
Biophilic touches provide a grounding calm, drawn through natural stone, warm timber and open sightlines to the sea. “In dense urban settings like Hong Kong, connection to nature comes through form, light and touch. It’s about creating a grounded retreat that feels serene even in the heart of the city.”
The private areas, including the master bedroom suite and three guest bedrooms, echo this philosophy: tailored yet tranquil, luxurious yet unpretentious. “Layering is everything,” Hoppen says. “Pairing unexpected textures allows one to amplify the other. That contrast adds depth and elegance without disturbing the calm.”
In true Kelly Hoppen Interiors fashion, this Hong Kong residence doesn’t shout, it whispers. Every line, texture and reflection contributes to an atmosphere of quiet modern luxury that feels both international and deeply personal. kellyhoppeninteriors.com
This article was originally published in the August 2025 issue.
Images by VSB & David Venni
