A Styling Masterclass with Kelly Hoppen

How do you approach library design?

A great library is sophisticated but invites you in like a friend. It’s about more than books, it’s memory, personality, and comfort. What makes it stand out is contrast. It must feel curated and of course, lighting is crucial to make it feel warm and functional. 

How do you use scent to complement a space?

Scent is an invisible design. For a country style library with dim lighting, I’d burn something rich, smoke, oud, vetiver. In a brighter reading nook, think citrus, fig, or dry rose. Scent should anchor the mood. Use it to signal transitions, dusk to night, quiet to creative. Assouline’s candles have that sophistication that doesn’t shout, it lingers.

How would you accessorize a trinket box or an accessory tray?

I would start with contrast. on an accessory tray, group key objects of different heights and textures e.g.  a candle snuffer with a small glass sculpture. I would also keep the palette neutral and not overcrowd it.

How would you complement the Assouline Library Collection’s hues of black, red, brown and gold?

Black, red and gold are all rich, grounding tones, and I love pairing them with warm neutrals like taupe, cream and sand to create balance. Taupe with red and black is a great combination. Deep purples, burnt orange, and earthy tones like clay or ochre also work beautifully, especially alongside gold or natural wood. Perfectly balanced black, white and grey add timeless elegance.

Gives us scenarios when you would use the twist bookends, the cubist bookends, and the library bookends.

The Twist bookends feel sculptural, I love them and would want to show them off like a piece of art, so I’d use them on a sideboard with art books.

The Cubist bookends are strong and architectural, perfect in a modern, masculine space with sharp lines and concrete textures.

The Library Bookends are classic and would use them in a traditional study with leather chairs and rich woods, they ground a space without competing.

What are 3 words that come to mind when you think of Assouline’s Library Collection?

Timeless, Luxurious, and Sophisticated