Pappas Miron
Styling their interiors as uniquely expressive facets of personality, Pappas Miron seeks to blend modern and vintage styles to create timeless spaces.
“Life isn’t perfect and your home shouldn’t be a museum.”
About the Designer
Alexandra Pappas and Tatyana Miron Ahlers first established their Manhattan-based interior design firm in 2003. Their unique styles are both greatly influenced by a shared love of antique and vintage design, evident in their work. The two are childhood friends, growing up in Connecticut and crediting their mothers for their love of collecting and design.
Pappas graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in art history, going on to work in real estate development and luxury jewelry. Her experience in development as well as jewelry lent itself well to her understanding of space and decorating. Similarly, Miron graduated from Tufts University with a degree in both art history and architecture, and an associates degree from the New York School of Interior Design. She went on to work for acclaimed designers, further cultivating her craft, before eventually co-founding Pappas Miron Design.
Today, Pappas Miron Design is an accomplished design firm, featured annually on Elle Decor’s A List since the year 2020. Their projects are far-reaching, recognizable both nationally and internationally.
Dive deeper into Alexandra Pappas and Tatyana Miron’s design approach, signature aesthetic, and recent collaborations through their official online portfolio.
Design Philosophy
Both Pappas and Miron seek to establish a timeless quality to their interiors by mixing traditional styles with modern ones. This blended approach gives homes an elegant aesthetic that still manages to be inviting, comfortable, and livable. Their designs focus on the “big picture” look of a room, rather than worrying about each individual piece. This eclecticism became an attractive staple of theirs, bringing a refreshing uniqueness unconcerned with following trends.
Materials & Color Preferences
Pappas Miron designs prefer earthy tones, grounding spaces into comfortable and inviting interiors, while still maintaining a level of sophistication. As far as colors, ochre and saffron are recent favorites. When looking to furnish, the Pappas Miron styling looks to mix textures and materials. Metal, stone, glass, paper, old textiles, and antique carpets are all fair game.
Sustainability & Craftsmanship
Pappas and Miron are collectors, constantly shopping for antiques and vintage pieces. Why not revive an old sofa, as the frames are often better made than the new ones today? There are so many incredible pieces out there just waiting for a new home. Furthermore, uniqueness is important to them and they don’t want what everyone else has or can get.
Signature Approach
Tatyana and Alexandra like to take an eclectic approach to their designs, looking to express both personality and sophistication. They believe a great design should “always make you smile and make you want to stay a while.” Looking to create warm and relaxed spaces, they mix eras and styles, believing in the evolution of design. Travel and old world European interiors have greatly influenced their style, inspiring a mix of antiques with contemporary design and artwork.
Designer Q&A: Inspiration, Process & Perspective
How would you describe your design style in a few words?
Our style is eclectic. We are constantly mixing modern and traditional to create timeless interiors that feel collected.
Who or what has influenced your aesthetic the most?
We are both crazy for old world European interiors, especially Italians. They have an incredible way of mixing antiques with contemporary design and artwork.
How do you usually incorporate rugs when starting a design scheme, as a foundation or as an accent?
Almost always as a foundation. On occasion we will select the scheme/palette before the carpet, but it's best to be as open as possible and start from the floor and work up.
How do current fashion trends influence your interior design choices?
They do not typically influence our designs, I think travel has more of an influence.
What draws you to antique or vintage rugs in your projects?
For us, all rooms start with a rug. Vintage and antique carpets offer palette, texture, and a spirit that can inform an amazing design.
What advice would you give someone designing their first home?
Think about your budget and also where you want the impact of the room to be. It's important to take your time and fill your home with things you love.
Rugs & Nazmiyal Collaboration
Pappas Miron Design focuses heavily on blending modern and vintage aesthetics. Collectible antiques are part of their design approach, often choosing an antique rug as a foundational item in a space.
Partial to beautiful Malayer rugs, Pappas Miron believes in the importance behind owning a historical work of textile art. The Nazmiyal Collection is home to a wide range of culturally and historically rich pieces, sure to satisfy the stylings of any modern interior.
