We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mahsa Afsharpour. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mahsa below.

Mahsa, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Everybody wants to step through their front door and instantly feel relaxed and safe, as if stepping into an entirely different realm separated from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.  Your home is the embodiment of your inspirations, joys, and dreams. A home has the potential to be an extension of who you are, encapsulating what truly matters to you in your personal sanctuary. A home should be every bit as special as the people who inhabit it, and my aspiration as an interior designer is to ignite and celebrate this uniqueness.
My desire to become an interior designer started in 1986 when my family and I sought refuge in Sweden after fleeing our homeland of Iran during the turbulent Iran-Iraq war. I was 6 years old, and we left behind loved ones to embrace the safe haven we found in Gothenburg. Upon walking into our new home, I remember my eyes nearly popping out of my head. I looked up, down, left, right, and there it was… 50 shades of beige!
I immediately knew we needed to make a change to our space to capture the feeling of safety and newfound hope. I felt my entire being longing for a lighter and brighter space to counter the darkness and fear that we had left behind. With a Ph.D. in persuasion that every 6-year-old possesses, I asked my mom, at least 19 times a day, when we could paint our new home my favorite, happy color: sky blue!
To this day, I’m not sure if my mom agreed because she thought it was a great idea or because her ears couldn’t take it anymore! Nonetheless, she made the perfect decision and our new abode became my canvas.
With the right color palette, a masterpiece emerged: a beautiful home filled with all of our hopes and dreams for our new beginnings in our new home country. On that day, Saga Interior’s mission was born: to recreate the genuine happiness and sheer delight I experienced as a child through the transformation of spaces.”
My passion for creating beautiful homes continues to flourish and inspire me each day and, with Saga Interiors, I am fortunate to continuously witness the joy and appreciation that light up my clients’ faces when we, together, bring their dreams to life and allow their homes to authentically represent them.

Mahsa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Mahsa Afsharpour, and I am the Owner and Principal Designer at Saga Interiors. I draw my inspiration from my Persian heritage, Scandinavian upbringing, and a profound love for the architecture and way of life in California.

At Saga Interiors, we create comfortable and functional spaces with a touch of glam, while reflecting our clients’ unique tastes and personalities. Our design services span from coast-to-coast and include remodels, new constructions and commercial projects.

Our work ethic, dedication to our clients, and passion for interior design have been the driving force behind our success. We take pride in creating thoughtfully curated spaces that seamlessly blend modern and traditional elements. Through communication and genuine listening, we aim to fully incorporate our signature aesthetic in a way that equally honors the clients’ lifestyle and the essence of the home. They are at the heart of every project!

One of the projects we are most proud of is a magnificent penthouse at 181 Fremont in SF,  also featured in a home decor publication; https://www.mydomaine.com/san-francisco-penthouse-apartment-tour-4777110 . The unit’s floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooked the city and soared above the clouds, so our vision was to create a space that emanated an understated elegance that wouldn’t take away from the surrounding views and conversed well with the architecture and richness of the building.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience is in my DNA and second nature to me. Having been born and raised during a tumultuous time in a country in the midst of conflict and displacement, the concept of “home” often becomes a distant memory.

My journey into the world of interior design has been a testament to my resilience, rooted in the experiences of my childhood. When my family and I sought refuge in Sweden during the war, I was just six years old. We left behind the familiarity of our homeland and the warmth of loved ones, stepping into an entirely new chapter in Gothenburg. My passion for crafting beautiful homes began in those formative years.

Having a beautiful and comfortable home becomes more than just aesthetics; it becomes a sanctuary of stability and normalcy. It provides a haven of peace in a world filled with turmoil. A beautiful home can have a profound impact on one’s mental and emotional wellbeing. It serves as a place of solace and healing. I find that the process of designing and personalizing one’s living space in a new environment is an act of resilience itself regardless. It reflects the determination to rebuild, the ability to adapt to different surroundings, and the strength to create a sense of belonging and beauty in the face of adversity.

Also, the process of creating a beautiful home often requires adaptability and resourcefulness, traits that are synonymous with resilience. It involves finding creative solutions to design challenges, and embracing a new aesthetic that reflects one’s evolving identity!

Finally, my journey has not only been a testament to my resilience but also a reminder of the transformative power of design and the ability to turn spaces into havens of beauty and comfort. Saga Interiors was born out of this deep-seated desire to help others experience life’s beauty, the same way I found solace and inspiration in transforming my own home all those years ago.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Before embarking on my entrepreneurial journey, I dedicated over 15 years of my life to a prosperous corporate career within a Fortune 500 company, holding various positions from B2B sales to management. This extensive experience not only provided the groundwork but also created a blueprint for how to initiate and manage my own business, including the day-to-day operations.

In the service industry, the client takes center stage — making it essential that they not only find satisfaction but also genuinely feel valued and appreciated for their investment.

I often say that my superpower extends beyond the creation of beautiful designs; it lies in my ability to cultivate and nurture relationships, whether they are professional or personal in nature. When a client chooses to invest in my business, I perceive it as much more than a mere transaction. In fact, I view it as the initiation of a lifelong relationship. My intention is always to establish an authentic connection with my clients, surpassing their expectations and elevating their experiences from good to exceptional, ultimately leaving a lasting impression.

Through consistently going the extra mile, proactively anticipating their needs, and demonstrating a sincere sense of care, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to acquire the majority of my clientele through the powerful tool of word-of-mouth referrals.

This philosophy encapsulates the essence of my approach to both business and life, where every interaction serves as an opportunity to create a lasting, positive impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sagainteriors.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/sagainteriors
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/sagainteriors
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/saga-interiors-burlingame
• Other: Google: https://g.co/kgs/RqPGZW

Image Credits
Interior Photos and profile photo : Alyssa Rosencheck Red Dress Photo: Radostina Boseva