Redefining Luxury Linens

By Susan Trumpbour

Photography by Eric Haber

In 2012, when husband-and-wife duo Michael and Stamatía Pappas were in their late fifties and early sixties, they made a drastic life change. After decades of working in the home textile industry, they took a bold leap into entrepreneurship and launched their own bedding company, Stamattina Linens. It all began with an ‘aha moment’ during the 2008 recession.

“I wish I could say we were in Greece, pondering our lives, thinking of our next phase when this idea hit us,” Stamatía says. “In reality, it all began with a conversation in our home in Armonk at the time. Michael and I talked about it a lot, and even a close friend who happened to be a customer confirmed this void in the market was real, which flipped the switch for us.”

The void was a collection of beautiful bedding that accomplished two things: featured floral or geometric prints in clean, crisp colors and complemented their existing bedroom decor. In 2011, Stamatía began setting the wheels in motion, doing market research and handling much of the groundwork, including cultivating relationships with retailers and suppliers. A year later, Michael joined her, and together they officially debuted Stamattina Linens in 2012. Today, their brand is a source of elegance and comfort, bringing New England charm to homes nationwide.

Michael and Stamatía Pappas.

Previous lives

Before entering the world of linens, Michael spent his days as a junior high English teacher, and while still teaching, he began working part-time in the clocks department at Bloomingdale’s during the Christmas season. When their annual White Sale began in January, Bloomingdale’s invited him to stay on and help with the event. He accepted this role, continuing to teach, and was then offered the opportunity to collaborate with Sufolla, one of the store’s linen suppliers (they are no longer in business). Managing Suffolla’s account gave Michael invaluable insights into the world of linens and ignited a passion that, in 1977, resulted in him leaving the world of junior high English to pursue a retail career that would, unbeknownst to him at the time, become the foundation for his future business.

Meanwhile, Stamatía was a fine arts major with a passion for art, color and design. Due to challenging times, she accepted the first job that came her way and began working as a technical assistant at an engineering firm. However, she soon transitioned to Macy’s management training program, later switched retailers, and became a senior assistant buyer at Lord & Taylor. Stamatía climbed the corporate ladder and eventually secured a position with a wholesale company that manufactured men’s leather accessories.

Here’s a little rom-com background about the couple.

“It all started with a blind date,” Stamatia laughs. “Can you believe it? It was our only blind date.”

At the time, Michael was teaching and enrolled in a master’s program, and Stamatia was an undergraduate. Michael’s cousin arranged the date, which went well. But after they parted ways, Michael didn’t ask for her number, so he followed up with his cousin for her number and called Stamatía that same night. They saw each other the next day and many times after that.

The couple took Lucky Number 7 to a whole new level. They first met on August 7, and by October 7, they were engaged. Then, on July 7, they tied the knot.

After the couple married and welcomed their first child, Stamatía lost her job, and Michael encouraged her to explore the linen business. Stamatía became an independent sales representative with a German company that imported upscale Swiss-made bed linens to the United States. As she learned to balance her new job with motherhood, she dove into product development, a challenge she embraced enthusiastically, and which, unbeknownst to her, would be essential to her future role at Stamattina Linens.

The beginning

“In Italian, ‘stamattina’ translates to ‘this morning,’” Michael explains.

The Pappases set out with a clear vision: “Our specialty originates from our mission to create prints that work well together,” Stamatía explains. “For instance, if blue is your color, we offer 12 prints featuring the same blues that can be mixed and matched. This allows customers to refresh their bedding by adding new shams or other elements while ensuring everything blends seamlessly within their existing bedding and decor.”

“We had a small collection when we first started and did not initially launch online,” Michael adds. “We approached certain retailers and asked if they would represent the line. At the initial launch, we had four designs: a floral, a check, a geometric shape and a wide stripe, and each one was available in three colors. Three of these designs have become part of our basic group and are still in the collection, while the wide strip is no longer in the line. We have since expanded our design library and currently offer about 35 designs and custom services.”

Commitment to quality

Blue and white Stammatina Linen duvet cover and pillow cases.

What has always remained the same, the Pappases say, is the 100 percent long, staple-combed cotton percale they use to create the linens, which their supplier enhances with an extra-soft finish on it that “only gets softer over time.”

“Inspiration for our designs comes from all around us, especially florals, antique documents, and even ties,” shares Stamatía. “We believe in creating designs that are not just beautiful but also practical and versatile, allowing our customers to update their home décor easily.”

“Our best-selling prints vary regionally,” Stamatía continues. “New England favors blue hues, while California prefers primarily neutrals and shades of gray and green.”

Their Greek heritage also deeply influences their work; they say they draw inspiration from the clarity of their surroundings and the vibrant blue skies of Greece.

“What sets our linens apart is affordability, quality and our Made in America commitment,” Michael says.

They exclusively work with percale fabric to achieve a crisp and easy feel. And they turn to Pantone, a color forecaster, to guide their color choices.

“We just introduced solid percale sheets and now offer a full range of colors,” Stamatía shares.

The couple creates their fabrics in Italy, and most recently, they’ve added Spain. The fabrics are then shipped to the United States and turned into sheets, shams and duvet covers in a Brooklyn factory.

“The creative process starts with designs, which can be on paper or a piece of fabric that we like, and we then share them with the mills in Europe, which have a full art department and design team,” explains Stamatia. “I work with this team and revise the colors and/or scale of the design and adapt it to our vision, keeping it simple and fresh. Once approved, we place orders and forward them to production.”

Steady growth

Stamattina Linens began with eight retailers, and now, they work with over 110 retailers nationwide. The Pappases say their company has grown steadily, and while they don’t employ full-time staff, they rely on a solid team of independent contractors and collaborate with manufacturing workrooms.

In 2022, they created an official IT department, and, in 2024, they hired a part-time social media manager, which they say has proven crucial in maintaining customer engagement and showcasing their brand.

They actively engage with their retailers through social media, attend textile and trade shows, and keep up with the latest design publications.

“In January 2024, we opened our first showroom in Atlanta to enhance our visibility,” says Michael. “This city offers a more practical and affordable alternative to the bustling and costly New York City.”

While design is at the heart of their company, Michael and Stamatía collaborate in both creative and business endeavors.

“We have been doing this together for so long that we practically read each other’s minds,” says Michael. “And if it’s the right design, we both pick up on it.”

“There’s an unmatched joy in working for yourself, especially when you’re doing it side by side with your spouse,” adds Stamatia.“And while we work well together, we do work together 24/7 (she laughs). We also respect each other’s need for space, occasionally suggesting a solo business trip as a solution.”

Married for over 50 years, they comfortably share this belief.

Company values

The Pappases say they truly value their customers, so they take the time to listen, and then they adapt offerings to their preferences.

For example, back in July, they did an informal research poll that included approximately ten buyers, asking them if something was missing from the line or if customers were requesting something special. They learned that several customers believed it was essential for families with children and pets to have more color infused into the linens instead of all white backgrounds; they felt it would help make the sheets more family-friendly.

“This was an excellent suggestion, so we added it,” says Stamatia. “And we had a great response during market time.”

What’s more, “We provide outstanding service to our customers,” says Michael.

How, exactly? The Pappas take a unique approach: they pick up the phone themselves.

“We take pride in being actively involved,” Michael explains. “It’s uncommon for us to encounter complaints or dissatisfaction with our products; returns are rare. But if we experience a situation where the wrong item was shipped, it’s always corrected.”

Or they might receive a call that their retailer needs an item quickly. If they can make it happen, they will. The couple says they strive to maintain a high level of customer contentment, and, similarly, they have also formed strong friendships with their suppliers—something they say they treasure.

For the Pappases, Stamattina Linens is not just business; it’s a family bond. When buyers travel to New York, they don’t meet in a conference room—the Pappases invite them into their home in Katonah for lunch or take them out for coffee, treating them as part of their extended family.

“The Italians are fascinated by our Thanksgiving tradition,” chuckles Stamatia. “They often ask us to share a snapshot of our dinner table so they can see what it looks like.”

Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges, especially during the pandemic, during which Michael says they faced increased shipping costs and delays due to port slowdowns. Yet despite these obstacles, Michael and Stamatia found a silver lining: many people invested in home comforts, boosting their sales.

Another ongoing challenge they continue to navigate is pricing. With rising component costs and the commitment to manufacturing in the United States, maintaining fair prices is a delicate balancing act.

“However, we are steadfast in our dedication to supporting American-made products, and we take pride in local manufacturing, even as labor costs remain high,” says Stamatía.

Giving back

The Pappases say one of the most rewarding aspects of running Stamattina Linens has been the deep connection they’ve created with the local community. During the COVID pandemic, they collaborated with the Community Center of Northern Westchester to create masks from their fabrics, which provided employment to those in need and free masks for the community.

“This initiative supported the local area,” says Michael. “It also expanded our product line by partnering with two talented individuals from the sewing studio. One woman now produces sleepwear, while another crafts smaller items, like tissue box covers and cosmetic bags.”

“And this past January we worked with one of our California retailers, Grande Maison Fine Linens, to donate sheets, cases and coverlets for the displaced victims of the Los Angeles Wildfire,” says Stamatía.

Dare to dream

One day, the couple dreams of retiring in Greece or at least “spending half our time soaking in its beauty.”

“But for now, we’re embracing the future with an open mind, taking each step as it comes,” says Stamatía.

They say they’re having a blast; the positive aspects of what they’ve accomplished far outweigh any negatives.

This article was published in the March/April 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.