Name: Paulina Hospod
Company Name: AhA!nteriors
Position Within Company: Founder & Principal Designer
Website: www.aha-interiors.com
Tell us a little about your background in design:
I’m the co-founder and principal designer of AhA!nteriors, a boutique design-build firm based in New York City. My background combines interior design and construction management, supported by over a decade of hands-on experience in design, millwork, and high-end residential renovations. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Technology and a Master of Architecture from Pratt Institute. In addition to leading our design-build practice, I teach Professional Practice for Interior Designers at the School of Visual Arts (SVA), mentoring emerging designers on professional standards, ethics, and the realities of running a design business.
How would you describe your personal design style?
Refined yet approachable—rooted in craftsmanship, historic reverence, and timeless materiality. My spaces mix natural materials such as marble, walnut, ash, and unlacquered brass with tailored color stories, sculptural forms, and subtle patterns. I avoid “trendy minimalism” and prefer soulful, lasting interiors that reveal personality and purpose.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
From architecture, travel, and lived heritage. I draw inspiration from New York’s historic townhouses, Italian artisanship, and the natural patina of materials that age beautifully. I’m also influenced by fashion—animal prints, bold textures, and the craftsmanship behind a well-made garment often parallel what I design for the home.
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
Design is shifting toward authenticity and longevity. Clients seek deeply personal, custom homes designed to evolve with their lives, not for resale. The future is local, sustainable, and craft-driven—favoring quality over quantity and human connection over algorithmic perfection.









