As Holly Hunt prepares for the fall release of her first book, Holly Hunt: Fearless in the World of Design (rizzoliusa.com), we catch up with the design icon.

Holly Hunt has been a force in the design industry for more than 40 years

What inspired you to finally write a book? The short answer would be pressure! Two people I respect very highly, Marc Szafran, the president of HOLLY HUNT (hollyhunt.com), and Margaret Russell, a close friend who was formerly the editor of Architectural Digest and Elle Decor, insisted I write a book, despite my protests. Peggy already had the title and the elevator pitch—how does this kid from West Texas with no design experience build a business and change the interior design industry? Rizzoli agreed to publish it before I even agreed to write it.

The designer’s first book will be released by Rizzoli this fall.

So many design books focus strictly on the work, but yours is very personal. What made you decide to take a different approach? My work is very personal to me; there’s no separating the two. The central question in the book is ‘How did you find so much success without any professional training?’ and the answer is a personal one. I started my business in 1983; about five years later, I got divorced and became a single mom to three young sons. I needed a way to support myself and my family. Two of my sons eventually joined the business, and so many people I’ve worked with throughout my career have become like family. I couldn’t tell the story of my business without telling my own life story.

A fave recent project, Hunt’s Aspen home was five years in the making and sold in 2023 just as she finished it

Why do you think fearlessness has been so critical to your success? Fear was never an option for me, just as failure was never an option. I saw what needed to be done in the industry—the problems that needed to be solved—and I knew I could do it better. I didn’t always know how to get there, but I hired people who were better than me in so many facets. The secret sauce to my success was always my team; when you have strong people to rely on, and you give them free rein—I’ve always said ‘Management is to control; leadership is to liberate’—there’s really nothing to fear.

HOLLY HUNT outdoor furniture pops on an expansive terrace

“The secret sauce to my success was always my team; when you have strong people to rely on, and you give them free rein—I’ve always said ‘Management is to control; leadership is to liberate.’”–HOLLY HUNT

What advice would you give to younger Holly as she was just starting out? There are a lot of ups and downs in this business, but you need to be able to accept the bad and the ugly with the good. Giving up can’t be an option. There will be a lot of criticism and people and processes in your way, but you must take them in as helpful information. There will be periods when it’s incredibly hard and you’ll have sleepless nights, but that’s the time you need to soar. You’re climbing a mountain, and you’re going to have some adjustments on your way up. ... The road to success is always under construction.

Hunt spared no expense on the brand’s advertising campaigns, which were frequently shot on location

What future projects are you excited about? Right now, I’m excited about the new projects and opportunities that are ahead for me and my very talented team at House of Hunt. I’m also thrilled that I’m able to share my story with the world. I hope my book can be a source of inspiration for people to become more fearless in their own lives.

The designer renovated her family’s 1916 English Tudor Revival home in Winnetka, Ill., to be exquisitely designed but comfortable, functional and accommodating.