Linda Merrill

Linda Merrill

Linda Merrill is an award-winning interior designer and decorator based on the South Shore of Massachusetts in the gorgeous coastal town of Duxbury. She is an expert in the fields of interior design, media communications & marketing. A lifelong passion for creating beautiful - and livable - spaces combined with a savvy business mind has brought her design work and writing to a national and even international audience. Her passion for creating beautiful spaces began early on when she was allowed to select the finish color of her first “big girl” bedroom set at the age of six. Linda received a Certificate in Decorative Arts from the prestigious Boston Architectural College in 2002 and opened her own firm shortly thereafter. In 2012, Linda was awarded the IFDA New England/Design New England Magazine Showcase award for Best Living Space for her Back Bay Penthouse project.
Linda offers both in-person traditional full-service design as well as custom virtual designs for those outside the area or who are looking for a great design that they can implement themselves.
A serene modern coastal bedroom in Truro Cape Cod Massachusetts design by Linda Merrill.
Linda’s blog, Surroundings (https://lindamerrill.com/blog/), has an international readership and is often listed on Best Blog and Design Influencer lists. It was most recently named one of the Top 19 Interior Designers in Boston by Expertize (https://www.expertise.com/ma/boston/interior-design). It offers her unique views on wide ranging aspects of the built environment from architecture, photographic tours, product reviews, design inspirations, special events and even movie set decor!
She was moderator of a popular podcast series called The Skirted Roundtable from 2009-2013 (http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2013/09/chatting-with-mario-buatta.html). Her first book HOW TO START A HOME BASED INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS, published by Taylor Trade Publishing (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XTTIPHE/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1), was released in May, 2015.
Linda has appeared on Martha Stewart’s Sirius Radio Channel; NECN’s “New England Dream House”; WHDH Television’s “Room for Improvement” and WBZ-TV’s “Sundays With Liz”. She has been featured in CAPE COD MAGAZINE, CAPE COD HOME, HOME REMODELERS magazine, THE BOSTON GLOBE Sunday Magazine, BostonVoyager (http://bostonvoyager.com/interview/conversations-inspiring-linda-merrill/) THE WASHINGTON POST, NEW ENGLAND HOME MAGAZINE, SOUTH SHORE LIVING MAGAZINE and THE PATRIOT LEDGER.

Framed art, hip linens and good lighting make this dorm room attractive. (Photo: Jeff.Dlouhy/Flickr creative commons)

An Interior Designer's Tips for Dorm Room Decorating

Posted by Linda Merrill | Sep 14, 2012

In 1900, a pair of freshly minted prep school graduates Frank Roosevelt and Lathrop Brown moved into a suite of rooms in the famous Adams House at Harvard. The future President of the...

This shop in Marblehead, MA is a fine example of New England design style. (Photo: Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism/Flickr)

New England Design & Decor Elements

Posted by Linda Merrill | Aug 28, 2012

As a New England design blogger, I’ve done my share of posts about my local environment and all that makes this region special. As a professional interior decorator, I’ve...

The Rubbermaid Home Free Series Closet Kit (Photo by Rubbermaid Products/Flickr)

Storage Features That Buyers Want

Posted by Linda Merrill | Aug 24, 2012

As an interior designer, I spend a lot of time walking around clients' homes hearing what they love, or don’t love, about their space. Generally, the number one item on the &...

Fabric can hide architectural imperfections. (Photo: Christa Richert/sxc.hu)

5 Clever Uses for Fabric

Posted by Linda Merrill | Aug 13, 2012

I am the queen of fabric. I love it, collect it, sell it or give it away, and start all over again. When I was quilting, I had several large plastic bins filled with small to tiny pieces...

Clean tile and new fixtures are attractive to buyers. (Photo: Fleur Suijten/sxc.hu)

Bathroom Updates That Home Buyers Want

Posted by Linda Merrill | Aug 13, 2012

The bottom line when it comes to what home buyers want usually comes down to time and money. Some buyers are looking for a low-cost fixer-upper and are prepared to invest "sweat equity,"...

A small indoor balcony space is cleverly staged as a reading nook. Note the sleek little club chair. (Photo: jdeeringdavis/Flickr Creative Commons)

Finding the Best Furniture for Home Staging

Posted by Linda Merrill | Aug 09, 2012

“You only have one chance to make a first impression” is a phrase we hear a lot. Usually it refers to our personal appearance or a business or retail brand. But, it’s...

The carpeted bathroom and the dense floral wallpaper need to go. (Photo: rick/Flickr creative commons)

Fads from the 1980s & 1990s to Remove Before Selling

Posted by Linda Merrill | Aug 08, 2012

There is no question that decorative fashion and trends come and go. Today's hottest trends will start to fade in a year or so ... and by 2030 and beyond, most will be looking tired...

These valances are the tablecloth valances described in the article. (Photo: Linda Merrill for Networx.)

Easy-to-Sew Window Treatments

Posted by Linda Merrill | Aug 05, 2012

I’m a big fan of fabric and it’s usually the first thing I look at what starting an interior design project. There are so many beautiful textiles available from cut yardage...

Can you believe that I made that counter top out of an old door? (Photo by Linda Merrill.)

How to: Make a Counter Top from an Old Door

Posted by Linda Merrill | Jul 28, 2012

A couple of years ago, I set out to re-do my old and outdated kitchen. Through a trade of services, I was receiving all new appliances, but beyond that, I had little money for a Boston-area...

High end carpentry furniture by Thos. Moser via Thosmoser.com

Retail vs. Custom High End Furnishings

Posted by Linda Merrill | Jul 25, 2012

For the vast majority of consumers, furniture is purchased in a big box retail outlet on an "as needed" basis. Many of us also scour flea markets, antique and vintage shops, and our...