The Aeroview Lifestyle

What’s the biggest mistake pilots make when building their dream hangar home? Starting with the floorplan. In this powerful kickoff to 2026, Ariel shares why vision—not blueprints—should lead the design process. You’ll hear real client stories, costly missteps, and the mindset shift that saved one couple from building a box instead of a legacy.

From acoustics and ambiance to custom pilot amenities, Ariel explains what truly defines luxury in aviation lifestyle design. She also walks you through her signature Aviation Project Starter Kit—a free tool for anyone planning a hangar home, airport property, or aviatio...

Episode 16 – The Ultimate Pre-Flight Checklist (For Building Your Dream Hangar Home)
Planning to build a hangar home? Don’t break ground without listening to this episode first.

In today’s episode of The Aeroview Lifestyle, Ariel pulls back the curtain on the most important planning phase of any aviation property—the pre-design checklist. Whether you're dreaming of a luxury airpark retreat or you’ve already purchased the land, this strategic, story-filled episode walks you through the top 10 things you must consider before designing your hangar home.

With real client stories, expert insight, and Ariel’s signature...

Episode 15 – Lessons from the Field: What 2025 Taught Me as a Designer
In this deeply personal solo episode, Ariel reflects on the real growth moments of 2025—the kind that don’t show up in your portfolio, but shape you forever as a luxury interior designer and entrepreneur. From learning how to enforce healthy client boundaries to owning her niche in aviation homes, she shares the mindset shifts, spiritual revelations, and business strategies that changed everything.

You’ll hear about the power of overcommunication, the strength of saying “no” to the wrong clients, and why slow growth builds the stronges...

Theme: Healing Through Design

Sometimes, a project is more than a project. It’s a second chance.

In this powerful episode of The Aeroview Lifestyle, Ariel shares the deeply personal story behind one of her most transformative design projects to date—a whole-home remodel in Dallas that began in chaos and ended in healing. What started as a design rescue became a redemption story of trust, resilience, and reclaiming control.

You’ll hear:

The truth behind a client’s $150K contractor disaster—and how Ariel stepped in as both designer and advocate<...

After a quiet summer packed with lessons, transformations, and purpose-driven pivots, The Aeroview Lifestyle returns—refreshed and realigned.

In this deeply personal episode, Ariel opens up about the growth that’s happened behind the scenes at Aeroview Design Co.—from hard-earned business wisdom and project delays to milestone wins, spiritual breakthroughs, and learning to trade hustle for alignment.

You’ll hear:

What really happens when a “simple remodel” turns into a six-month refinement process

How saying no created space for better yeses

Why Ariel believes in crockpot goals, not microwave re...

Episode 12: Summer Maintenance & Materials — What to Know When You Design to Last
Series Theme: Summer in the Sky – June Week 4

Luxury isn’t just how a space looks—it’s how well it holds up.

In this episode of The Aeroview Lifestyle, Ariel takes you behind the scenes of a real client transformation at a lakeside retreat, and unpacks the smart material choices that made their home as functional as it is beautiful—all summer long.

From warping cabinets and sun-faded furniture to resilient finishes that can handle water, sun, sandy feet, and sticky p...

Episode 11: Flying Home for Summer — Tips for Vacation-Style Interiors
Series Theme: Summer in the Sky – June Week 3

What if your home could feel like a five-star getaway—every time you walk through the door?

In this week’s episode of The Aeroview Lifestyle, Ariel shares her signature approach to creating vacation-style interiors that support a summer lifestyle filled with connection, ease, and grounded luxury. Whether you're a frequent flyer or just ready to refresh your space, this episode will help you reimagine your home as a calm, restorative landing zone.

You’ll discover:<...

Episode 10: From Blank Walls to Heartfelt Living
Series Theme: Summer in the Sky – June Week 2

What happens when a home finally starts to feel like you?

In this heartfelt episode of The Aeroview Lifestyle, Ariel walks you through a full start-to-finish transformation of a real client project: a whole-home refresh for a busy family who had been living in their house for three years—without ever truly settling in.

From blank walls and second-guessing to confident choices and a home that reflects their personality, values, and lifestyle, this episode brings you behind the...

Episode 9: Designing for the Seasons — Creating a Summer-Ready Home
Series Theme: Summer in the Sky – June Week 1

Summer isn’t just a season—it’s a design opportunity.

In this episode of The Aeroview Lifestyle, Ariel kicks off June’s Summer in the Sky series with a fresh and elevated guide to seasonal design. Whether you’re living in a custom hangar home or simply craving a summer refresh, this episode is filled with actionable tips to make your home feel lighter, breezier, and ready for warm-weather living.

Inside, Ariel shares:

Why summer i...

Series Theme: The Power of Personalization – Week 4

Personalization is powerful—but done wrong, it can leave your home feeling overdone, dysfunctional, or completely disconnected from you.

In this final episode of The Aeroview Lifestyle's May series, Ariel pulls back the curtain on the five biggest mistakes homeowners make when customizing their spaces—and exactly how to avoid them. From over-theming and chasing trends to designing for status instead of soul, she unpacks how well-intentioned ideas can go sideways—and how to keep your home timeless, beautiful, and deeply you.

Inside, you’ll discover:

Series Theme: The Power of Personalization – Week 3

Your home should be more than beautiful—it should tell your story.

In this actionable and inspiring episode of The Aeroview Lifestyle, Ariel reveals how to bring soul, style, and intentionality into every room of your home—without clutter or cliché. Whether you’re a frequent flyer, luxury home enthusiast, or a pilot looking to reflect your lifestyle through design, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas and heartfelt strategies for making your home feel unmistakably you.

Inside, you’ll learn:

5 powerful ways to design with y...

What happens when a woman who’s spent her life in the sky finally asks for a place to land—and belong?

In this deeply moving episode of The Aeroview Lifestyle, Ariel shares the real story behind Her Aviation Sanctuary—an aviation-inspired home designed for a private pilot who longed for more than square footage. She craved stillness, softness, and a sense of soul.

Step behind the scenes as Ariel reveals:

The emotional moment that sparked the project (“Can a home feel like exhaling?”)

The creative process of turning sensory memories into archi...

What separates a high-end home from a truly unforgettable one? In this premiere episode of The Aeroview Lifestyle, host Ariel Merk—founder of Aeroview Design Co.—dives deep into why personalization is the new gold standard in luxury aviation home design. From custom architectural details inspired by runway lighting to meaningful spaces that reflect your flying journey, this episode explores how tailored design elevates not just your interiors, but your entire lifestyle.

Whether you're a private pilot, an aviation enthusiast, or a high-net-worth homeowner planning a hangar-connected residence, Ariel unpacks:

Join Ariel on The Aeroview Lifestyle for an in-depth exploration of one of the most critical (and overlooked) elements in aviation home design: the layout. In this episode, Ariel dives into how the flow and function of your hangar-connected home can make or break your day-to-day living—regardless of style or finishes. She shares real-life stories of what works and what doesn’t, the “wraparound” concept for balancing privacy and airplane access, and the three essential access paths every aviation home needs.

Discover the insider tips for acoustic zoning, controlling noise and smells, and separating your quiet retreat...

What happens when a private pilot wants a home that doesn’t scream “aviation,” but still fits seamlessly above his T-hangar? You get this—an elevated, Scandinavian-organic modern retreat designed to be the ultimate post-flight sanctuary.

In this episode of The Aeroview Lifestyle, Ariel walks you through a recent hangar home project crafted for a client who lives for flying—but wanted his home to reflect who he is when he’s not in the air. With a functional workshop below and a beautifully minimalist apartment above, this space blends functionality and quiet luxury in all the right ways.<...

What if your home could give you more than just a place to live—what if it could give you freedom?

In this episode of The Aeroview Lifestyle, Ariel dives into why aviation homes are quickly becoming the new gold standard in luxury living. From the rise of lifestyle-first design to the unmatched convenience of living where you fly, this conversation will have you dreaming bigger about what’s possible for your forever home.

Ariel shares the driving forces behind this growing trend, the types of clients building these one-of-a-kind spaces, and how aviation homes offe...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Aeroview Lifestyle!

I'm your host, Ariel—interior designer, aviation enthusiast, and founder of Aeroview Design Co.—and I’m so excited you’re here.

In this kickoff episode, I’m sharing the story behind Aeroview: how a simple love for flying and design came together to create a business that redefines what it means to live elevated. You’ll hear how my husband Kody and I stepped into the world of aviation, found ourselves designing a hangar space—and realized just how untapped this niche really was.

Because...