The Visionary Behind the Brand
Paul Badran is the founder and creative director of Kitchens by Paul and Paul Badran Architects two studios renowned for timeless kitchens and architectural interiors that blend precision, emotion, and understated sophistication.
His journey into design did not begin in luxury. It began with responsibility, resilience, and a commitment to building something greater.
A Childhood Shaped by Strength
Raised in Lebanon by his mother after the loss of his father, Paul began working at the age of 12—first in a barbershop part-time after school, then as a waiter assistant among other jobs during weekends, and full-time during summers. These early experiences taught him discipline, humility, and a sharp attention to detail. In 2006, when his mother was diagnosed with cancer, that sense of responsibility deepened. She recovered, but the experience shaped Paul’s character it became a quiet turning point, fueling his drive to succeed and eventually give back to the person who gave him everything.
The First Design Desk
At the age of 15, he was given a transformative opportunity by the Hoayek family, owners of Kit-wood, one of Lebanon’s local leading kitchen companies. At a time when young boys were rarely hired in kitchen sales or any sales roles, Mr. Hoayek saw something in Paul.
That first opportunity moving from restaurant work to sitting at a design desk marked the beginning of everything. Paul knew nothing about kitchens at the time; to him, they were simply a part of the home. But he gave it everything his heart and 100% of his effort to prove himself as a teenager with something to offer.
Chasing Growth Abroad
Looking back, Paul once believed he had reached the peak of the kitchen industry during his time at Kit Wood. In truth, it was only the beginning.
His ambition, drive, and deep commitment to support his family led him to take a bold step and move to Doha.
From 2012 to 2016, Paul lived in Qatar, working as an architect with QD-SBG, where he contributed to the design of residential buildings such as Sky Towers, as well as developments in The Pearl–Qatar, one of the country’s most exclusive urban destinations. He also played a role in government-led projects like the ISF complex—a major barracks development for Qatar’s Internal Security Forces. As his career progressed, he became a QA/QC Architect, overseeing execution and quality across multiple high-value sites.
It was a period of significant professional growth but as Lebanon fell deeper into political instability and economic crisis, and with Qatar offering no path to long-term residency, Paul knew he could not build a future there. He felt a stronger responsibility than ever to support his mother, who had worked tirelessly her entire life.
He made the life-changing decision to leave the Gulf and move to Sweden, seeking stability, purpose, and the opportunity to build something lasting.
A New Beginning in the North
In 2017, Paul arrived in Stockholm with a clear plan: to study international law—a long-held dream to become a lawyer. But soon after arriving, he realised he couldn’t imagine being a full-time student while his mother and sister were still in Lebanon, working tirelessly and carrying financial burdens. What he thought would be a straightforward return to education became an emotional turning point. He felt compelled to work instead.
Determined to contribute, Paul applied broadly for both design and service roles but found himself shut out. Without speaking Swedish, and with a design aesthetic unfamiliar to the Scandinavian market, most applications went unanswered. Even jobs at McDonald’s and Vapiano rejected him once for being overqualified.
The only position he could secure was at a tobacco shop in Hägerstensåsen, earning 5,000 SEK per month. Refusing to give up, Paul began visiting design offices in person door by door until someone finally gave him a chance.
That opportunity came at Moods Studio, a Stockholm-based agency representing Italian brands such as Modulnova, Arflex, and others. It was there that Paul reconnected with the world of high-end design in Sweden. He later worked with Alno and Kvik. When he lost his position at Kvik for not conforming to cultural expectations, it was a painful setback but also a defining turning point.
Rather than step back, Paul stepped forward.
Building a Brand from the Ground Up
He founded Kitchens.se, a company focused on high-quality stone worktops delivered with speed, transparency, and outstanding service. It quickly became one of Sweden’s most trusted providers, consistently maintaining 5-star reviews and a reputation for reliability. From this foundation, he launched Kitchens by Paul, a studio creating custom kitchens defined by architectural detailand emotional expression.
In 2022, he established Paul Badran Architects, completing his first full interior architecture project in Sweden and expanding the studio’s reach across Europe and the United States.
Designing for the World
Today, Paul’s work includes private residences, investment properties, and large-scale interiors in cities such as Stockholm, London, Beverly Hills, Houston, New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, and The Netherlands.
His clients and leads include developers, private families, and internationally recognized names such as Bianca Ingrosso, Kenza, Alexander Isak, Dejan Kulusevski, Emil Forsberg, Robin Olsen, Kristofer Nordfeldt, and Conor McGregor.
A Promise Kept
In 2020, following the explosion in Beirut—a wake-up call that reminded Paul how fragile life can be he fulfilled a lifelong promise and brought his mother to Sweden.
She no longer has to work.
"Now it’s her time to rest," he says.
"That was always the goal and now it’s my time to give back."
A Message to Dreamers
To anyone arriving in Sweden with a dream:
It won’t be easy. You’ll need to adapt not only your language, but your mindset, your energy, and your creativity.
Be proud. Be different. Knock on doors.
And above all don’t wait for it to happen. Go out and make it happen.
To the Swedish community—thank you.
Thank you for believing in me, for giving me space to grow, and for welcoming my work into your homes and lives.
