Raised between New York City and Barcelona, Gala Magriñá is an esteemed holistic interior designer, creative visionary, and thought leader. Her pivotal journey began in 2016, when she embraced Vedic meditation and set out on a search for deeper holistic wisdom. Transitioning from orchestrating events for giants like Harper’s Bazaar, Jimmy Choo, and Calvin Klein, Gala pivoted to embrace supportive, energetically balanced permanent spaces. Armed with certifications in Holistic Interior Design, Feng Shui, WELL, Sustainable Materials and Vaastu, she launched Gala Magriñá Design, a multifaceted interior design agency with projects worldwide, in 2018.
A pioneer in her field, Gala has spoken for platforms like Business of Home, Goop, and Luxe, and hosts Going Beyond Spaces With Gala, which debuted as a top 40 U.S. design podcast. Through her work, she inspires a more conscious connection to our spaces, inviting awareness, positivity, and reflection in how we live and design.
(Image above: Gala Magriña portrait | Image courtesy of Gala Magriña)
Irvington by Gala Magriñ Design | Photography by Joseph Kramm
When you were a kid, what did you dream of becoming? Did any of those childhood ambitions lead you to where you are today?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be an actress. I loved to perform, participated in school plays and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. At the same time, I channeled my artistic and creative side in the way I designed my childhood bedroom. I was super inspired by Hawaiian culture after visiting a couple of times with my mother, and came back from one of the trips and decorated my room to look like one of the islands. I cut astroturf in an asymmetrical shape, and that became an area rug. I made curtains from Hawaiian print fabrics and created a little Tiki Bar in my windowsill. At the time, I thought nothing of it, but in retrospect, it really was the beginning of my creative design career. Even at that young age, I was finding little doses of joy and playing with fun ways to bring them into my space.
Is there a particular designer, artwork, or design movement that deeply inspires you? How has it influenced your own style or philosophy?
A while back, I toured Taliesin West—one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s homes in Scottsdale—and left super inspired. I had an amazing, passionate tour guide who walked us through the intention behind all the details. It reminded me of our responsibility as designers to create spaces that leave a positive impact on inhabitants. I was particularly inspired by the idea of inviting Nature into the home and erasing the distinction between the interior and exterior realms.
In most spaces, I find myself yearning to open a window or door to bring Nature in, so his work really resonated with my soul and my own experience in built environments.
Design Studio Reception | photography by Joseph Kramm
Which designers do you love following on social media? What draws you to their work or perspective?
I love scrolling Kelly Behun Studio for inspiration—she posts the most amazing interiors! The Holistic Architect is another great follow for educational content on how to build sustainably and toxin-free.
How would you describe your design philosophy? Has it evolved over time, and if so, how?
It absolutely has. Learning Vedic meditation in 2016 along with a trip to India and deep dive into my wellness certifications in 2018 really solidified where I have arrived which is that traditional interior design focuses primarily on beauty and function which is great, but holistic design goes a step further—it recognizes the powerful effect our spaces have on us and uses tools to design not just for aesthetics, but for the mind, body, and soul. It’s interior design- but better for you.
Our spaces affect us and matter. Tremendously. In fact, studies show that our spaces and how they are designed are so integral to our well-being that we believe they should become part of our daily wellness routines, demanding the same care and attention as we put into exercise and diet.
You can have a gorgeous space that still feels soulless and draining, while a holistic approach ensures that every space is also nurturing and life-supporting. Well-designed interiors become a perfect reflection of the person living in them, fostering energy and well-being rather than depleting it.
One of the things I love most about my work is helping my clients discover how their homes can truly support them. Each room can be designed to meet your needs today while also aligning with the person you aspire to become tomorrow. It’s about creating spaces that inspire growth, healing, and connection, which is what I believe makes my work impactful on a larger scale.
W 67 St by Gala Magriña | Photography by Joseph Kramm
Was there a specific turning point or experience when you realized that design was your true calling?
My path was a real journey 🙂 I graduated from NYU Film, planning to be a director. While I was still in school, I took a job as a visual merchandiser at a buzzy Italian fashion brand to support myself, and kept the job after graduating while continuing to make short films and freelance in the art department for movies and music videos.
Eventually, I was promoted to US Creative Manager at the brand—meanwhile, we went from two stores to thirty-five, and my role evolved from working on windows and displays to also designing our offices, showrooms, retail stores, and events. These experiences helped me realize I was called to pursue a design career. So in 2008, I opened my own design and production agency in NYC.
I kept one foot in the film world for a bit, working on video projects—directing some, doing art department stuff on others—but eventually my main focus became design. Though I knew the film and acting stuff would come in handy at some point, more on that in a bit!
As we grew, we’d design a pop-up shop for a brand, and they’d ask us to handle their permanent retail store, or we’d do a fashion showroom, and the client would bring us in to design their home. Soon, I found creating long-term spaces for people to work and live in far more fulfilling, and I began gradually transitioning the company to interior design. By 2020, during COVID, I made the full leap.
Uniqlo by Gala Magriña | Photography by Sean T Smith
In your opinion, what is the most significant challenge facing the design world today? How do you think designers should respond to it?
The design and construction industry is one of the worst when it comes to environmental impact. I wish more designers took that responsibility seriously and were willing to change the way they work in response to it.
Interior design is a luxury service, and so most clients are considered wealthy with large homes, and multiple homes, that can feel excessive when you try to mind sustainability. While we can’t control what people do with their money, there is a way for us to educate clients and apply a less-is-more approach. At the very least, we should aim to specify more sustainable materials to protect the environment and design more reciprocally with Nature.
What’s on the horizon for you? Any upcoming projects, events, or goals you’re particularly looking forward to?
We’re getting ready to begin a bunch of new residential projects with clients that are genuinely invested in taking the design of their spaces to a deeper, more meaningful level. It’s taken a couple of years to find people whose values align with our approach, but now that we have, I am thrilled to fully embrace what we do best.
We’re also gearing up for a wellness-focused retail project that’s heavily focused on sustainability and intentional living. The design concept is meant to spark some serious joy too—it’s the kind of project that reminds you that we never have to sacrifice aesthetics for soulful, well-rounded spaces.
On the media front (and this is where the background in Film and acting comes in!), I’ll be launching season 2 of my podcast “Going Beyond Spaces with Gala” this August. I am truly beyond excited for this season! I am also working on a TV show that I hope can one day help people heal through holistic design. More on that to come!
