Styylish Conversations: Ann Zacarian on Curated Antique Home Décor & Modern Interiors

In this edition of Styylish Conversations, we speak with interior designer Ann Zacarian, founder of Ann Mila Design. With a background in business consulting and a lifelong passion for art and style, Ann brings a unique balance of intuition, sophistication, and joy to every project. Her approach celebrates individuality—designing homes that reflect the people who live in them while expertly blending curated antique home décor with modern interiors.

Personal & Career Background: From Business to Curated Antique Home Décor

Q: How did you begin your journey into design?
I’ve always been connected to the art and design world, both professionally and personally, with an unquenchable craving. During Covid, when “home-bound” captivity made me wonder what’s next, I thought—the time is now to pivot.

I had enjoyed a long and successful business career helping clients and organizations evolve to their next stage. That “sweet spot” skill suddenly put me in the “hot seat”! Over the years, I’d restored four historic homes on my own, and friends often came to me for renovation tips and décor advice. I loved fashion, had my own style, and loved to entertain.

That spark became Ann Mila Design—a business that celebrates how we live and express ourselves. In collaboration with fellow artisans, we now provide Couture, Décor, and Event Design services. Our mission: “Love what you wear, where you live, and how you entertain.”

Q: Do you have a signature style?
Just as “one size does not fit all,” we don’t have a signature style. We’re not designing for ourselves but for our clients. Each one is discerning in their own way, and our goal is always to interpret and fulfill their needs successfully—creating truly timeless interiors.

Q: Has your approach to design evolved over the years?
Not really—my approach is a point of view that has remained consistent. Each setting speaks to you. The goal is to accentuate a space naturally and create a home that satisfies all your senses. The process may evolve, but the philosophy stays the same.

Design Philosophy: Curated Antique Home Décor Meets Modern Living

Q: What does your creative process look like when working with clients?
Years of consulting taught me to listen first—especially to what clients don’t say. What’s omitted can be as telling as what’s expressed. I start by listening carefully, asking questions to understand preferences, dreams, dislikes, and concerns.

Sometimes clients don’t know exactly what they like—that’s when collaboration becomes especially fun. I also throw out ideas during our first meeting to explore or rule out possibilities before we start decorating. Everyone has a budget, so I care deeply that each client achieves the greatest bang for their bucks.

Q: What makes a space truly livable?
Form and function must go hand in hand. A beautiful surrounding is only as good as it feels to live in. Interpreting how to use spaces optimally—while maintaining aesthetic harmony—turns a house into a home. This is the core of eclectic interior design.

Q: You often mix old and new in your work. What draws you to that combination?
I love the challenge of mixing “old with new” or “new with old” done well. Cookie-cutter rooms only work when personal accents make them special. When a client says, “I never thought I’d like that!”—I know we’ve struck the right chord.

I often go on “treasure hunts” for pieces that inspire entire rooms. It might be a decorative object, an antique, or a sculptural form that sparks creativity. For example, I once found an antique Asian ice chest for a client’s entryway—now everyone who visits stops to admire it. For another, a wall display of Majolica platters became a colorful centerpiece. These curated antique finds make vintage and contemporary interiors feel alive and personal.

Antiques & the Styylish Connection

Q: How do antiques fit into your design process?
When designing a room, I think about how it will be used and enjoyed. When antiquing, I might see ten coffee tables, but only one will feel perfect—the piece that adds luster, character, and distinction. That’s often the one clients never tire of.

Q: What do antiques bring to modern interiors?
“What’s old is new again—selectively!” Older pieces introduce patina, texture, warmth, craftsmanship, and, of course, a story. They add personality and make rooms feel layered. A curated antique home décor approach transforms interiors into spaces people want to linger in.

Q: Which styles do you find most inspiring today?
I’m drawn to Biedermeier, Art Deco, Venetian glassworks and fabrics, and Chinoiserie. These styles are sculptural but not fussy, painterly but not contrived. They harmonize beautifully with contemporary interiors and elevate the intrigue of a room.

Trends & Inspiration

Q: What current trends excite you most?
I’m thrilled that wallcoverings—and even textured ceilings—are making a comeback! At the Kips Bay 50th Anniversary Decorator Show House, every room featured integrated wall and ceiling design.

I also believe landscape architecture is just as integral to interior design as ever. Thoughtful outdoor design extends our living spaces and enhances our lifestyle—something especially important in our post-Covid world.

Q: Any trends you think will fade?
The elimination of dedicated dining and living rooms. While open-concept living is practical, intimate dining spaces offer something special—connection and conversation. As designer David Hicks said, “The best rooms have something to say about the people who live in them.”

Q: What inspires you most?
One word—travel. Whether it’s a field trip or a faraway journey, travel unleashes the imagination.

Q: Do you enjoy repurposing older pieces?
Yes—re-discovering and re-purposing “old” is a brilliant form of renewal.

Personal Favorites & Advice

Q: What’s a recent favorite find?
A fine Belgian tapestry that could serve as an enchanting mural in a small study.

Q: Tell us about a memorable project.
A favorite ongoing project is the home of a professional artist client. She inherited a large family house needing significant restoration and modernization. Together, we’re transforming it into a home that reflects her lifestyle and artistry—balancing color, pattern, and flow, while respecting her own work.

This project defines the art of curation, budget management, and creative collaboration. It’s not easy to live through construction, but her enthusiasm keeps me motivated!

Q: What advice would you give to design lovers?
Enjoy the hunt as much as the treasures that remind you of good memories. And never underestimate the power of a single statement piece—a zebra skin rug, a lipstick-red lacquered table, or a Fortuny chandelier can transform an entire room.

Styylish Pick: A Biedermeier Treasure

For her Styylish Conversations feature, Anne chose a Biedermeier sewing table as her favorite piece from Styylish. She would use it as a bedside table, appreciating its refined lines and unique curved legs with dolphin decor, as well as its warmth, and versatility. This piece perfectly illustrates her philosophy that antiques—when chosen thoughtfully—bring both personality and practicality to modern interiors.

Final Thoughts

Q: What’s the most surprising thing clients say when you first introduce an antique into their space?
“I never would have looked for that!”

Q: And your design philosophy?
“Antiques add mystique.”

Explore More

Discover curated antique home décor, learn design tips from top interior designers, and explore treasures like Ann’s Biedermeier favorite at Styylish.com.

Styylish Conversations celebrates designers who blend the past and present to create truly timeless interiors.