…If I could start a movement to bring the most wellness to the most people, it would focus on helping everyone approach their spaces with intention and create sanctuary at home. In our non-stop, always-on world, stress has become a constant presence in our lives. Our homes should be more than just places to live — they should serve as cocoons, protective spaces where we can escape the chaos and truly recharge. To achieve this, I would encourage people to carve out a small, technology-free area in their home or workplace to retreat to for even just 5–10 minutes a day. This simple act of creating a dedicated space for rest and reflection can be a powerful visual reminder to pause, unwind, and reconnect with yourself…
Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Gala Magriñá.
Gala Magriñá is an esteemed, award-winning holistic interior designer, thought leader and expert. She was raised in New York City and Barcelona and is an authentic, multi-faceted creative and conscious leader.
In 2016, a pivotal moment sparked Gala’s evolution as she delved into Vedic meditation, bridging her creative prowess with spiritual insight. Transitioning from orchestrating events for fashion giants like Harper’s Bazaar, Jimmy Choo, and Calvin Klein, Gala embarked on a profound quest for holistic wisdom. Armed with certifications in Holistic Interior Design, Feng Shui, Well, and Vaastu, she launched Gala Magriñá Design in 2018, a New York City-based commercial and residential interior design agency with projects worldwide.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
Mycreative journey began in 2008 with the launch of M Crown Productions, an award-winning design and production agency. I had the incredible opportunity to design window displays for iconic brands like Lacoste, Diesel, and Calvin Klein, while also producing high-profile events for clients like Jimmy Choo, Harper’s Bazaar, and Maison Martin Margiela. Those years in event production honed my skills and gave me a deep appreciation for creating memorable experiences, eventually inspiring me to explore interior design.
In 2016, I discovered Vedic meditation, and it was a game-changer for me. It helped me reconnect with my purpose and rethink the impact I wanted to make through my work. I became passionate about holistic design and mindfulness, which led me to shift my focus from temporary spaces to creating permanent interiors. That’s when my mission came into focus: to merge the cool and beautiful with the holistic and mindful to create spaces that heal, inspire growth, and elevate energy.
In 2018, I launched Gala Magriñá Design, a women-led interior design studio based in Westchester County, NY. We work on commercial and residential projects worldwide, always with the goal of designing environments that support well-being and meaningful connections. It’s been such an incredible journey, and I’m so grateful to be redefining what interior design can do to transform people’s lives. Today, I channel my passion for holistic design into public speaking, where I inspire and educate audiences about the power of intentional spaces. My goal is to change the world one space and conversation at a time, driving a more thoughtful approach to the built environment.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
Generally, the most interesting thing about my career is that it was not linear at all. It sort of unfolded organically, which to me is the best possible way. I studied film and television at NYU and after graduation, I sought a job that would allow me to continue to make short films in the hopes that they would win at a film festival and help me along my director journey.
So I took a job at Diesel, the Italian clothing company doing their window and in-store displays. Over time, I slowly kept getting promoted until I was Creative Manager for the entire US. We were in charge of designing our showroom and office spaces, designing marketing events and then the stores and windows.
I began to realize that while I loved film, my real passion was design. From there, I opened my own design and production agency focusing heavily on pop-up, event and exhibition design and production, which eventually led me to interior design.
I learned so much along the way, and although every opportunity offered something different, it has all contributed to how I practice interior design today.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
There have been so many! The biggest lesson learned for me is to slow down and adhere to our processes and procedures. They are there for a reason — because they are the most optimal way to work. So every time I’ve ignored them and said yes to a client or written a client proposal in a hurry to get it out on time, it usually comes back as one of these painful lessons.
Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
When it comes to health and wellness, I believe the work I do through holistic design has the potential to make a profound impact. Traditional interior design focuses on beauty and function, 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.
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.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing? Please give an example or story for each.
Here are some holistic design-inspired lifestyle tweaks that can support your journey toward better well-being:
1 . Fresh Air for Improved Health: Our indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air thanks to our flooring, paint, upholstered, and case-good furniture materials. One of the easiest ways to improve air quality is to open your windows and let fresh air in a couple of times a day. As a bonus, take a couple of deep breaths in for a quick mood boost!
2 . De-clutter for Clarity: Know that when you get rid of clutter, you create space for new things and opportunities to come into your life. If you’re feeling stuck, removing unnecessary items can help you get “unstuck” and gain clarity. Keep only the things you use and love, which cuts down on visual “noise” and fosters a sense of calm in your environment.
3 . Optimize Lighting: We should be getting at least 30 minutes of natural light each day. Sunlight affects our circadian rhythms which in turn affects our energy levels and moods, so it’s important to get lighting right. Check to see what color your bulbs are. For task-related work, bright white light with a color temperature of 4500 lumens is ideal as it mimics the sun’s color temperature at 10 AM –when we are the most awake.
4 . Incorporate Biophilia: Bring nature into your space as much as possible. This has been proven to have a myriad of positive effects and will help bridge the gap of our current disconnection from nature. Incorporate real, faux plants or even artwork that depicts nature. All of these things have been proven to lower blood pressure and stress and improve mood and concentration.
5 . Use Color To Transform Your Space: Painting a wall is one of the quickest ways to refresh your environment and boost your mood. Bright colors work well in breakfast nooks and home offices to promote energy and productivity. Meanwhile, softer, muted tones are perfect for spaces designed for relaxation and rest.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
If I could start a movement to bring the most wellness to the most people, it would focus on helping everyone approach their spaces with intention and create sanctuary at home. In our non-stop, always-on world, stress has become a constant presence in our lives. Our homes should be more than just places to live — they should serve as cocoons, protective spaces where we can escape the chaos and truly recharge.
To achieve this, I would encourage people to carve out a small, technology-free area in their home or workplace to retreat to for even just 5–10 minutes a day. This simple act of creating a dedicated space for rest and reflection can be a powerful visual reminder to pause, unwind, and reconnect with yourself.
In times like these, creating sanctuary is yet another tool we can add to our healing and self-care toolkit.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
- Being a boss and having employees is hard, but will get easier as you gain more experience and develop both personally and professionally.
- Be aware of people pleasing tendencies when it comes to serving clients.
- Get in touch with yourself enough to know when you are “forcing things to happen” versus being in flow.
- Know the value and worth you bring to your clients when pricing projects out.
- Do things your way.
Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?
Sustainability, mental health, and environmental well-being are all deeply interconnected, so it’s hard to pick just one as the dearest to me. However, I’m particularly passionate about mental health and how it ties into the spaces we inhabit. Studies show that our homes, communities, and surrounding environments directly affect our daily motivations, behaviors, and overall lifestyle — ultimately influencing 80–90% of our health outcomes.
If we acknowledge how profoundly our surroundings impact us, then investing in our spaces becomes an act of self-care. I believe in creating environments that nurture mental well-being, promote balance, and align with sustainable practices. It’s not just about designing beautiful spaces; it’s about shaping environments that help people thrive mentally, physically, and emotionally. For me, this is a cornerstone of holistic design, and it’s why I advocate for thoughtful, intentional living.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
The best way to further follow my work online is through my social media platforms.
Instagram: @galamagrinadesign
Facebook: Gala Magriñá Design
LinkedIn: Gala Magriñá
Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.
