Let's begin with, who is Paul Badran?

– I started designing kitchens at the age of 13, primarily to support my mother during her illness after losing my father. Three years later, my career took off in Lebanon, where I became the youngest top designer at the local company Kit Wood, where I worked before graduating in architecture in Doha, Qatar. Today, I am the founder of Kitchens by Paul, MiaThéo, and Kitchens.se, which I started in 2018 alongside experienced architects, where we create bespoke kitchens and living rooms with exclusive designs focused on quality and each customer's unique lifestyle.

How long have you worked on the MiaThéo brand and why?

– The idea of starting my own brand had been in my mind for several years, but it was after the birth of my son Matteo that I found the motivation to really get to work. Since IKEA is known worldwide and their products can be found in almost every home in Sweden, it was a natural choice for me to enhance their kitchen fronts by designing specifically tailored fronts for IKEA cabinets.

Why did you choose the name MiaThéo, and what does it represent?

– Everything I do, I do for my son Matteo and my family. They mean everything to me and give my design work real meaning. They are my motivation and the source of strength that keeps me creating, regardless of challenges or successes. The inspiration for the name comes from my son. I had many names in mind before, but I didn’t feel the same connection with any of them. And since "Mia" means "My" in Italian, it was clear that the name would be MiaThéo.

Do you have any favorite materials?

– Definitely eucalyptus and light oak, as they have a timeless design and sleek materials that never go out of style, plus they can be matched with most colors and materials.

Which series do you like the most?

– All of them! But I’ve probably spent the most time on Tokyo and Paris, as both series have many unique elements that stand out.

What was the source of inspiration for the series Stockholm, Copenhagen, Paris, and Tokyo?

– It’s hard to pinpoint a single source of inspiration, as I often find ideas in everything around me. However, something that stands out and is evident in all my projects are influences from the 19th century, such as old Parisian buildings and modern cars. The architecture is therefore based on neutral colors and nature-inspired materials with a minimalist design and clean lines. It’s a combination of simplicity, precision, and sophistication where Scandinavian minimalism meets Japandi style.

What is the difference between the various series?

– To meet our customers' needs, I wanted to create a series for every taste. What brings the series together is the minimalist design, but each has specific details that distinguish it.

What makes MiaThéo unique as a brand?

– Since I personally designed the entire series, it reflects my unique design vision, consisting of high-quality materials that are all meticulously handcrafted in Italy. With the well-considered architecture that shaped Kitchens by Paul, I have now put my mark on the MiaThéo series.

Are you planning to expand the brand?

– Absolutely! We have a number of products that will soon be launched, which have required quite a bit of travel to find the best materials, colors, and models—think MiaThéo 2.0!

SEE FRONT COLLECTION HERE →