How to use furniture as art in the home

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12 July 2022

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3 min read

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It’s important to feel comfortable in our homes and be surrounded by objects we love. Interiors expert Jennifer Keenan shares how versatile and powerful furniture designs can be when they double as art pieces.

With sculptural curves, luxurious textures and neutral tones, designer Kelly Hoppen’s latest range is a great example of how strong furniture design can create a sculptural or artistic anchor in a room. Each piece complements the next, and can blend with a home’s existing furniture.

“Each piece has its own individual beauty,” says Frobisher’s Auckland showroom manager, Jennifer Keenan.

We asked Jennifer some questions about how to pick sculptural pieces and the inspiration behind this stunning new collection.

Jennifer Keenan, Frobisher's Auckland showroom manager and interiors expert.

ArchiPro: What is your advice for homeowners looking to incorporate artistic pieces into their space?

Jennifer Keenan: With any piece that you buy, you have to love it. If you first love the look of a piece, then it will work in any room in any house. Years ago, I purchased a beautiful mirror that has had pride of place in several homes. It looked great over the mantelpiece in a large villa and today is still as stunning in an apartment entry. The Kelly Hoppen range is like this as well – the pieces are designed to mix and match or stand alone beautifully. 

With any piece that you buy, you have to love it. If you first love the look of a piece, then it will work in any room in any house.

The Coco accent chair celebrates gentle curves in a modern take on the occasional chair, with a rich, luxe velvet body.

AP: Tell me about Kelly Hoppen and her new range?

JK: Kelly Hoppen is a renowned British interior designer and was awarded the CBE in 2020. She is a visionary of interior art – her extraordinary designs make everyone’s home decor dreams come true.

Her aesthetic style is East meets West, where the recognisable traits are beautiful geometry and modern simplicity. Using mostly neutrals – taupes and whites with accents of black, gloss, leather, and whitewashed wood – it is a luxurious, classic-contemporary look.

One of the products in this new range is the Luna sofa, which has a curved form and is a piece of sculptural art, really. We’ve also got the Coco accent chair which is very simple and aesthetically pleasing.

With an ash oak veneer, the Kelly Hoppen Picasso Credenza has been designed to sit beautifully in any interior.

AP: What interior style does this range suit?

JK: Each piece stands alone as its own little art piece, and because each piece has its own individual beauty, they can all be placed together to create a very Kelly Hoppen look or used individually. For example, the Luna sofa could go in a very contemporary apartment, or look amazing in a lovely villa.

AP: What is your favorite piece in this collection?

JK: I think it would be that Luna sofa – it's just glorious. I would have this piece in any of my past, present or future living rooms. It is elegant, unique, and the sculptural design brings a sense of serenity and art to any living space. And that’s what a lot of Kelly Hoppen’s interiors create – the designs are pleasing and that is the East meets West philosophy that she has. 

I read a quote once and it’s completely true: “Our interiors should inspire us to go out into the world to do great things, and then welcome us back for refreshment.”

Designed by Kelly Hoppen, the Luna breathes timeless elegance with a playful side – its boucle upholstery adding texture.
Designed by Kelly Hoppen, the Luna breathes timeless elegance with a playful side – its boucle upholstery adding texture.

Explore the Kelly Hoppen range available exclusively in New Zealand from Frobisher.

Banner image features the Kelly Hoppen Leo accent chair and Onyx side table.