I'm an Interior Design Expert—These 25 Pieces Will Make Your Home Much Chicer

I’m Linda Boronkay, founder and creative director of Linda Boronkay Design Studio and former design director of Soho House. I set up my own studio a year ago as a one-woman band and have since grown into a multidisciplinary team, which is now working on some incredibly exciting projects across the globe. My signature style is about layering—combining eclectic, vintage pieces with a stripped-back contemporary scheme and not being afraid to mix and match colours, textures and interesting objects of different eras and styles. It’s about oscillating between minimalism and maximalism—being able to look at the bigger picture whilst paying attention to detail.

interior-shopping-picks-autumn-2021-294827-1629380031388-image

(Image credit: Courtesy of Linda Boronkay)

It’s about creating interiors that are interesting and thought-provoking yet relaxed and unforced. I don’t want my interiors to feel like you are stepping into a showroom! My focus is first and foremost on how design can provoke an emotional impact by narrating a unique story and encouraging an immersive experience. I look to art, culture, fashion, cinema, literature, architecture and craft for inspiration and strive to create spaces that are cinematic and fantasy-like with distinct character and identity. I am a complete magpie for antique fairs and local markets for uncovering authentic, timeless pieces that add personality to a space.

I’m a huge admirer of contemporary furnishing and architecture too, but whatever its history, nothing beats a beautifully crafted artefact that shows the workings of the maker and the marks of time. Normally, as a team, we visit markets and tap into the collections of our go-to antique dealers to find individual pieces, but this has not been possible this past year. Instead, I have found joy in exploring some wonderful, independent online shops. I have selected a range of items here that I’d find a home for in any project of my own.

1. Lighting

You can never underestimate the number of light sources and lamps you need in a space. When layered correctly, they create warmth and ambience and set an intimate or dramatic mood that transitions from day to night. Whilst I tend to go vintage or bespoke for impactful chandeliers, I definitely go off the shelf for lamps and shades, as there are so many incredible craftsmen out there who create affordable pieces that are still unique and special.

2. Furnishing

The successful furnishing of a space requires a careful alchemy of style and comfort. It is about finding pieces that are characterful, functional, and stylish and have a familiar feel. I like to mix and match vintage, bespoke and off-the-shelf pieces that together create a layering of colours, eras and styles.

3. Art

Art has always played a central role in our projects and has provided a constant springboard for design inspiration. For me, no space feels complete without a beautiful piece of artwork, tapestry or artefact to engage with. We usually work closely together with art dealers and collectors to source bespoke pieces that were representative of the local colours, culture and community.

4. Tableware

A unique piece of tableware, crockery or cutlery can certainly be the talking point of a dinner party. Like artwork, it is fun to build up a quirky collection of styles that can be mixed and matched to set the vibe for a gathering.

5. Accessories

It’s all about balance—avoiding clutter but ensuring interest and texture to characterise a space. These are the objects that we pick up and touch in our daily lives, so it is important they fill us with pleasure!

6. Fashion

Our homes are the means of creative expression of our personalities, and so is fashion and jewellery. For me, selecting a beautiful piece of jewellery to wear on a specific occasion is no different from picking a stunning chandelier. It’s all about the look and feel.

Next up, the biggest autumn 2021 fashion trends to know