Born in Budapest, Linda Boronkay’s passion for design was ignited by her parents at a young age. Her father is an architect, and her mother, a passionate collector of arts and antiques, founded a Pulitzer-winning design magazine.  Linda originally trained to be a fashion designer in Paris before embarking on a career in interior design. Having lived across the globe, in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, New York, and Paris, before settling in London, Linda draws daily inspiration from travel, art, fashion, literature, music, cinema, architecture, and craft. 

Renowned in the industry for her warmth and emotionally intelligent approach, Linda’s career to date has seen her work for an impressive roster of global clients. Before starting her award-winning studio, she was Design Director of Soho House, overseeing projects in Asia, Europe, and the UK and leading a vast team of architects, interior designers, and a procurement team. 

During her tenure, she developed the designs for everything from members’ clubs, hotel rooms, restaurants, bars, lounges, event and co-working spaces, through bespoke furniture lines and home accessories. Now a recognised industry speaker, columnist, and judge, Linda Boronkay was included in Country and Townhouse’s Best 50 Interior Designers in 2023, House & Garden’s Design 100 in 2022, and the studio was recognised in Phaidon’s new publication “By Design: The World’s Best Contemporary Interior Designers”.

1. Could you tell us how your journey into interior design started?

Design has been part of my life from the very beginning. My father is an architect and my mother, a design journalist and antiques collector, founded a Pulitzer-winning magazine—so creativity was our family’s shared language. I originally trained in fashion design in Paris, but after traveling the world and living across continents and working in fashion, I realised interiors allowed me to weave together my passions in a more layered, immersive way.

2. Do you think there has been a defining moment in your career?

Becoming Design Director at Soho House was a pivotal chapter. It gave me the opportunity to work globally—across hotels, members clubs, and restaurants— to understand operations and to lead incredibly talented teams. But founding my own studio was the true turning point. It was a leap of faith that allowed me to express a more personal, emotional, and soulful vision. Having my own team and projects has been the most rewarding part of my professional career, and I’m very proud of everything we achieved in just over 4 years. Currently, we work across the US, Europe, and Australia, creating exciting hospitality concepts and couture homes for private clients.

3. What do you think is the key to a successful interior design? And in your business in general?

For me, it’s about emotional intelligence—really listening, understanding how people feel in a space, and building trust with your team and your client. Successful interiors aren’t just beautiful; they’re attuned to human experience, so it’s a perfect balance between function and form. In business, it’s also about creating an environment where people feel empowered to take creative risks and thrive.

Each project starts with a narrative. Sometimes it’s sparked by a historic detail, a film, or a place’s sensory memory—like a scent or texture. We often begin by defining a few key emotional or atmospheric words. From there, we build out visual references, materials, and volumes that support that mood. The evolution is always collaborative, intuitive, and layered.

5. How would you define your signature style? Do you have “a mantra” that encapsulates your taste in design?

I’d say my work is expressive, tactile, and timeless without being overly nostalgic. We are seeking visceral depth that great interiors can unlock. Our design language is clean, confident, and emotionally charged. I’m drawn to contrast—elegance with grit, restraint with playfulness. I also love incorporating vintage or handmade pieces that add a sense of lived-in warmth. If I had a mantra, it would be: “Atmosphere is my style” stealing from J.M.W. Turner.

6. What are your 3 favorite pieces from the Philia Collection?

Einros Table by Andres Monnier – I’m drawn to its almost primal, archaeological presence. It feels like a sculptural relic unearthed from another world—simultaneously ancient and modern. There’s something meditative about its weight and form, which I find both grounding and poetic.

Nautile I Floor Lamp by Elsa Foulon – I love the fluid, organic silhouette—it evokes the spiral of a seashell or the motion of water, yet has a quiet, monolithic power. It’s the kind of piece that adds atmosphere rather than just light, blurring the line between sculpture and function.

Bright Square Alchemy Chair by Rick Owens – It embodies a kind of brutal elegance. I’m fascinated by Owens’s ability to create tension between weight and minimalism. This piece feels architectural, unapologetic, and emotionally charged. It doesn’t just sit in a room—it transforms it.

7.  Could you tell us about one of the favorite projects that you worked on?

Beihouse in Beirut holds a special place in my heart. It involved reviving three historic homes damaged in the 2020 explosion and transforming them into a social club that honours Beirut’s architectural heritage and artistic resilience. We worked entirely with local artisans, creating a space that feels both deeply rooted and dreamlike.

8. If you could pick one interior design tip that is important to you, what would it be? 

Layer with intention. A space becomes personal and powerful when it includes contrast: rough with smooth, new with old, humble with luxurious. It creates depth and character that can’t be replicated.

9. What was the best advice you have received in your path?

“Don’t design to impress—design to connect.” That simple phrase reminds me to prioritise depth over drama, and to let each space reflect something meaningful rather than just fashionable.

10. What would be your advice to beginner interior designers?

Stay curious. The most powerful tool you have is your point of view—so nurture it. Read widely, travel if you can, seek inspiration outside of interiors. And remember, humility and collaboration are as important as talent.

11. What was one of the hardest learned lessons in your journey?

That every challenge is part of the creative process. Over time, I’ve learned not to fear the unexpected—whether it’s a change in scope or an unforeseen obstacle. Instead, I see it as an opportunity to refine the design and deepen the collaboration. Remaining calm, solution-focused, and flexible has been key to building lasting relationships and successful outcomes.

12. Are there any books/podcasts you would like to recommend to our readers?

– “The Eyes of the Skin” by Juhani Pallasmaa – a beautiful exploration of sensory design.
– “On Beauty” by Zadie Smith – not design-specific, but deeply inspiring.
– Podcast: “Design Matters” with Debbie Millman – a masterclass in creative storytelling.

13. Finally, what are your upcoming projects? Anything you’d like to share or add to the interview?

We’re currently working on a number of exciting projects across Europe, United States and the Australia, including a five-star hotel on the French Riviera, a historic palace in Nice, a conversion in Rome for the Thompson brand, a countryside resort with bungalows and exciting hospitality program in Comporta as a few hospitality project examples and numerous private residential projects internationally. Each one offers a new cultural lens and creative challenge, which I find incredibly rewarding. What unites them is our continued focus on craftsmanship, storytelling, and designing spaces that feel both timeless and emotionally resonant.

Thank you so much Linda, for this lovely interview!