Cover The living room of a Surrey, England family home designed by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio
The living room of a Surrey, England family home designed by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio
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Retaining this Surrey, England home's old-world charm while reflecting modern personalities, Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio has created an atmospheric, lush family home that will be cherished for years to come
The concept of timelessness is often thrown around, but few properties can truly achieve such a status. But this English country estate is a rarity that fits neatly into this category.
Reimagined by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio, the 16th-century home in Surrey Hills retains its original structure, complete with an old fives court, an aviary and Cedar of Lebanon trees that add rustic charm. One notable previous resident was Charles Darwin himself, who completed his final book within the home’s walls. “It felt less like a house to be redesigned and more like a story already in motion, one that we were stepping into and continuing,” mused Boronkay.
Adding a new chapter to the home’s history, the homeowners infused their Scottish, South African and Hong Kong background into the interior design story. The bamboo chairs upholstered in an inviting yellow, for instance, add a touch of Asian elegance to the entryway. A Murano chandelier from an antiquing trip in Italy is also laden with cherished memories of the curation process. Overall, warmth and tactility create an inviting atmosphere in the home. “Those shared experiences became embedded in the house itself,” Boronkay shared. “Ultimately, the project reflects a way of living: a home that gathers places, memories and objects over time.”
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The exterior of a Surrey, England family home designed by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio
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Upon entering the Surrey Hills home, guests are immersed in the warm grasscloth walls and antique mirror panels of the entryway. The aforementioned bamboo chairs and Murano chandelier stand, juxtaposed, signalling a home that will be far from predictable. For Boronkay, it was key to feature “pieces that feel unexpected, even slightly irreverent, within a historic setting.”
The boot room features a darker, more enclosed transitory space, opening dramatically onto the true heart of the home: the kitchen. Extended to occupy an entire wing, the space was designed entirely around how this particular family lives: with a large communal table, a reading nook, a fireplace seating area and direct access to the garden and pool.
Above The boot room of a Surrey, England family home designed by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio
Above The kitchen of a Surrey, England family home designed by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio
The boot room of a Surrey, England family home designed by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio
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The west wing houses what Boronkay calls the party room, and it reflects the homeowners’ personalities joyfully and without question. High-gloss surfaces gleam all throughout the wing, with antique mirrors on the ceiling and a bespoke marble mosaic bar. Meanwhile, a concealed wine room, DJ console and baby grand piano set the stage for countless hours of laughter and entertainment with family and friends.
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Above The lounge of a Surrey, England family home designed by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio
The lounge of a Surrey, England family home designed by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio
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Above The bar of a Surrey, England family home designed by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio
Above The formal dining room of a Surrey, England family home designed by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio
The bar of a Surrey, England family home designed by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio
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Stepping back into a more formal register, the Surrey Hills home’s drawing room is clad in linen walls and features sprawling garden views. The dining room moves in an entirely opposite direction: enveloped in a high-gloss aubergine finish, it creates an immersive and dramatic atmosphere for a wide array of delicious meals. Such bold design stories were conceived by Boronkay to emphasise “contrast and balance: moments of intensity offset by calm, darker spaces opening into lighter ones, formal rooms balanced by more relaxed, playful environments.”
The primary bedroom of a Surrey, England family home designed by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio
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Moving into the more private areas of the Surrey Hills home, the primary bedroom takes on a more muted, serene atmosphere. Its anchor is a bespoke brass four-poster bed, part of the design from the very beginning and arriving towards the end of the project, “almost completing the room as a long-held intention finally realised,” mused Boronkay. The adjoining bathroom draws inspiration from Renzo Mongiardino with its layered textiles, concealed storage and a freestanding bath framed by curtains.
Heading upstairs, each of the secondary bedrooms reflects the homeowners’ children’s personalities. One is lime-washed and light, while the other is more atmospheric, with botanical wallpaper and deep curtaining. The guest bedroom oversaw the transition from a former gym, now complete with a bathroom inspired by Victorian bathhouses. Boronkay kept the clients’ request in mind: that their children choose to return to the space as opposed to staying at a country house hotel. Brimming with charm and reflecting their quirks, each space is a haven to unwind in after the family’s shared festivities.
Above The pool area of a Surrey, England family home designed by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio
The pool area of a Surrey, England family home designed by Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio
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Altogether, the Surrey Hills home is ready to accommodate the family’s mundanities and milestones in equal measure, enfolding them in its longstanding tapestry of vibrant experiences for years to come.
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Credits
Photography: Martin Morrell
Design: Landform Consultants
Design: OSP Architecture
About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
