When Ariel Merk first set foot in an airpark, she wasn’t looking for inspiration—she was helping build an office with her husband. But something unexpected happened: she fell in love with the aviation lifestyle. That spark of passion would eventually lead to the creation of Aeroview Design, a trailblazing interior design firm redefining what it means to create luxury spaces within private aircraft hangars.
“Design found me early—but aviation became part of my story when we built at an airpark,” Ariel shares. “I saw a gap in luxury design for pilots—and knew I could fill it.” Today, Ariel travels across the country to design personalized, one-of-a-kind hangar spaces for clients who choose to live at their airparks or want a private retreat where they can relax and unwind. Her designs are anything but utilitarian. Each one is an emotional experience—an intentional space that blends form and function with a deep sense of identity.
She realized the impact of her work early on when her first aviation client was moved to tears at the reveal. “She said, ‘This finally feels like me.’ That was the moment I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.” Inspired by purposeful beauty—Yahweh’s creation, boutique hotels, and bold women who design their lives with intention—Ariel merges aesthetics with meaning. Her husband's journey as a student pilot and their weekend adventures in the air continue to fuel her creative vision. Even visits to remote airstrips in the Southwest have helped shape her calm, grounded design ethos.
Translating luxury into a hangar space requires nuance. “Luxury is in the layers,” Ariel says. “Tailored textures, intentional lighting, and seamless flow between function and feeling.” Every project begins with deep listening. From there, she weaves together the client's lifestyle, aviation habits, and design sensibility to craft a cohesive, elevated space. One element she never compromises on is comfort. “A lounge that invites you to stay—every hangar deserves a space that feels like a retreat.”
Aeroview’s interiors often blend hospitality-level comfort with aviation technology—smart storage, thoughtful sightlines, and tactile warmth. In one memorable project, a pilot requested a vintage cigar lounge feel, complete with brass accents and hidden compartments. Another client’s hangar featured a full bar, private theater, and a custom bourbon wall. “The plane was just one part of the story,” Ariel says, smiling.
Her clients are often high-net-worth individuals with specific, refined tastes, and Ariel excels in translating their visions into bold, livable spaces. “I listen deeply, then translate their lifestyle into design. They want expert leadership and personal storytelling.” She draws from trends in boutique hotels and luxury homes—statement lighting, mood-driven color palettes, and tactile materials—to ensure every detail contributes to the overall experience. “I stay ahead by being in it,” she explains. “I blend insights from aviation, luxury living, and global design.”
For Ariel, travel is more than just a perk of the job—it’s central to her philosophy. “Luxury is now about ease and intention—designing a life you don’t need a vacation from.” Her travel essentials reflect her focus on beauty and comfort: a journal, silk eye mask, and cashmere wrap. If she could design a hangar just for herself, it would sit on a cliff in Montana, clad in black steel and stone, with soft leather interiors, a personal studio, spa, and sweeping views of the runway. “That would be my ultimate retreat,” she says.
As private aviation becomes more lifestyle-driven, Ariel sees hangars evolving into hybrid spaces—equal parts living, entertaining, and aviation. She’s already working on a custom home that includes an attached hangar and pool house, which she calls the ultimate blend of “luxury, lifestyle, and lift.” She’s also setting her sights on adjacent spaces, such as superyachts and off-grid luxury retreats accessible by air. “Anywhere lifestyle and design intersect—I want to be there,” she says.
Through Aeroview Design, Ariel Merk is elevating what it means to design with intention. Her work isn't just about beautiful interiors—it’s about creating spaces that reflect who her clients are and offering them a grounded sense of home no matter how high they fly.