Meet Marilynn Lerum of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marilynn Lerum.

Hi Marilynn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Even as a kid, I was sketching floor plans on my bedroom whiteboard and cutting up Pottery Barn catalogs to make mood boards. Studying architecture in college felt like the obvious next step, but my true calling clicked when I pivoted to interior design while working for a Malibu-based restaurant designer. Projects such as Laurel Hardware and Gjelina revealed how much I love shaping every detail—plateware, staff uniforms, custom furniture, lighting, and, of course, the building itself.

That passion led me to Palisociety, the Los Angeles boutique-hotel group, where I served as in-house designer and touched everything from monogrammed pillows to the glassware in their hotel restaurants. In 2024 I took the leap and launched my own studio, Studio Linh, partnering with clients who want their spaces to embody their brand and values. Nothing excites me more than delivering environments that are both beautiful and deeply personal through a seamless, collaborative process.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Surprisingly, the transition to running my own studio has felt smoother than I imagined. A big reason is my willingness to trust my gut: saying yes to the projects and clients that energize me, and no to the ones that don’t align with my values.

The back-of-house tasks I once dreaded—accounting, financial planning, drafting contracts—have actually become empowering. I lean on specialists for the pieces outside my wheelhouse and focus my energy where I add the most value. Knowing I don’t have to do everything (and won’t be great at everything) has turned potential stressors into opportunities to build a stronger, more resilient practice.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Studio Linh creates spaces that look good, feel good, and work hard. My roots in restaurant and boutique-hotel design taught me to choreograph every square inch—where plateware is stored, how a guest finds a light switch, how staff move behind the scenes. That operations-first mindset now drives the offices, studios, and hospitality projects we tackle at Studio Linh.

I’m most proud of translating a client’s values—whether a wellness start-up or a tech company—into tactile experiences people use every day. What sets me apart is the blend of strategy and style: I obsess over sightlines and service flows as much as color palettes and custom furniture. Beauty is non-negotiable, but if a space doesn’t run smoothly, it isn’t finished.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Find your angle, then anchor everything to it. The design world is crowded with talent, so the question becomes: Why you? For me, the lightbulb moment was recognizing a growing demand for hospitality-driven commercial spaces—offices, retail, wellness clinics that feel as warm and welcoming as a favorite hotel. Once I claimed that niche, I wrote down a handful of core values—kindness, transparency, and collaboration—and let them guide every decision, from daily details to major pitches.

My advice:

Spot the gap. Notice what clients keep asking for (or can’t articulate yet) and carve out expertise there.

Define your values early. They’ll help you choose projects, partners, even accounting software. If a prospective client doesn’t share those values, refer them on and keep your energy for the right fit.

Say no without guilt. Protecting your time for aligned work is a superpower.

Build a support squad. Lawyers, accountants, mentors—lean on specialists so you can focus on design.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://studiolinh.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiolinh/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-linh/?viewAsMember=true