Saga Interiors

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This article is about the interior design studio in the San Francisco Bay Area. For the official website, see sagainteriors.com.

Saga Interiors is a boutique interior design studio in the San Francisco Bay Area that handles residential and select commercial projects.[1][2] It was founded in 2016 by Mahsa Afsharpour, its founder and principal designer, and is registered in California as Saga Interiors, LLC, based in Millbrae in San Mateo County.[3][4] The firm describes its style as warm modern, drawing on Afsharpour's Persian heritage, her upbringing in Sweden and California living.[1][3] The name comes from the Swedish word saga, meaning "story" or "fairy tale".[3][5]

The studio's published work includes a penthouse at 181 Fremont in San Francisco, which was featured in MyDomaine, family homes in Hillsborough and San Mateo, and a jewelry showroom in Burlingame.[6][7][8] Saga Interiors has been listed in Architectural Digest's AD PRO Directory, and was selected for it in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.[9][10] Afsharpour has been quoted on design trends by Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, The Everygirl and The Kitchn.[9][11]

History [edit]

Founding

Before starting the firm, Mahsa Afsharpour spent more than 15 years in corporate roles at a Fortune 500 company, moving from business-to-business sales into management.[12][3] She had long helped friends and family decorate their homes, and around 2016 she began photographing and publishing that work after being advised to do so as a way into the profession.[13] She founded Saga Interiors in 2016, beginning with the design of a girl's bedroom.[3]

Saga Interiors, LLC was registered with the California Secretary of State on April 3, 2017 (entity number 201710310428), with Afsharpour as its manager, chief executive officer and registered agent and a principal address in Millbrae.[4] The firm's LinkedIn page also gives 2017 as its founding year.[14]

Afsharpour chose the name as a nod to her childhood in Sweden: after her family fled Iran in 1986 during the Iran–Iraq War and settled in Gothenburg, she persuaded her mother to repaint their all-beige apartment sky blue, an experience she describes as the origin of the firm's mission.[15][3][12]

Growth and recognition

The studio grew from single rooms to the full-service design of multimillion-dollar residences.[3] Afsharpour says she has gained most of her clients through word-of-mouth referrals, and that many clients return as their needs change.[12][3] By 2025 she described a core team of advisors, junior designers, project managers and directors, alongside contractors, vendors and artisans.[5]

The firm joined Architectural Digest's AD PRO Directory in 2023 and was selected again in 2024, 2025 and 2026.[9][10] In February 2024 Afsharpour attended the AD PRO Directory preview of Design Within Reach's new San Francisco flagship, hosted by AD West Coast editor Mayer Rus, where she was photographed with AD editor-in-chief Amy Astley; Architectural Digest's coverage of the event identifies her as an AD PRO Directory member.[16][5]

People [edit]

Mahsa Afsharpour

Mahsa Afsharpour is the founder, owner and principal designer of Saga Interiors, and its chief executive officer.[1][12][4] She was born in Iran; in 1986, when she was six, her family fled the Iran–Iraq War and settled in Gothenburg, Sweden, where she grew up.[15][12] She moved to the United States in her early twenties.[17]

Afsharpour moved to Santa Barbara for her undergraduate studies and studied psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, graduating in 2005.[18][13][19] She then earned a master's degree in forensic psychology, and has said that she decided the field was not for her and went into corporate sales instead.[13][19] She credits her psychology background with helping her read clients' practical and emotional needs, including differing preferences within couples and families.[3]

She has described her approach as being "warm modern — elevated, inviting, and never trend-chasing".[3] Of her work with clients, she has said that "my superpower extends beyond the creation of beautiful designs; it lies in my ability to cultivate and nurture relationships".[12] She has a son.[13][20]

Team and collaborators

Saga Interiors lists a staff of 2–10 employees on LinkedIn, but does not name its team members on its website.[14][1] The people credited on the firm's published work are:

NameRoleCredited work
Mahsa AfsharpourFounder, CEO and principal designerAll projects; 3D renderings for the Hillsborough remodel.[1][21]
Alyssa RosenheckPhotographer181 Fremont; Villa Granada.[7][22]
Radostina BosevaPhotographerCasa Renacimiento; portraits and press images.[23][9]
Golsa AfsharpourPhotographerRefined Comfort; By Bonnie Jewelry showroom.[24][8]

Design approach and style [edit]

Saga Interiors describes its work as warm modern: layered, intentional spaces meant to be "elevated and deeply livable", combining the traditions of Persian design, Scandinavian minimalism and attention to light and materials, and the indoor–outdoor ease of California living.[1][3] Earlier descriptions of the firm speak of "comfortable and functional spaces with a touch of glam" that blend modern and traditional elements.[10][12]

Afsharpour has written at length about California Mediterranean and Spanish Revival houses, a style she traces to a trip to Málaga at 18 and to her student years in Santa Barbara. She argues for preserving original features such as beams, niches, ironwork and moldings, and favors arched doorways, sconces, potted olive trees and a mix of gilded and wrought-iron finishes.[18][17] Her San Mateo Spanish Revival project, Casa Renacimiento, applied these ideas by simplifying the ceiling beams and arching doorways.[23]

The firm often uses performance fabrics and rounded furniture in family homes.[22][8] Afsharpour's writing also covers fire-resistant construction after the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, cabinet hardware, color trends, and Frank Lloyd Wright's Marin County Civic Center as an example of "timeless" design.[25][26][27][28]

Services [edit]

Saga Interiors offers full-service design for new construction, full remodels and furnishing projects, and prefers to join projects early so it can work with the architects, builders and structural engineers.[29] Its full-service scope includes:[29]

The firm also offers a 90-minute consultation for decisions such as paint colors, finishing touches or preparing a property for sale.[29] It takes on a limited number of projects each year. Renovation projects typically start at $150,000 in overall scope, furnishing projects require at least two rooms, and design fees start at $10,000.[2]

Selected projects [edit]

The following tables list projects that Saga Interiors has published on its website. They are grouped by type, and each project name links to the firm's own page for it. Private homeowners are not named.

Note: These lists are not exhaustive. They include only projects the firm has presented publicly.

Residential

Homes on the San Francisco Peninsula and in San Francisco.

Featured residential projects
ProjectLocationTypeScope and notes
181 Fremont: A Penthouse Amongst the CloudsSan Francisco (181 Fremont)Condominium furnishing and stylingThree-bedroom, 2,575 sq ft penthouse unit, taken on in the building's final stages of construction; neutral palette, clean lines and statement lighting. Photographed by Alyssa Rosenheck and featured in MyDomaine.[7][30]
Refined Comfort: A Luxurious Family HomeHillsboroughNew home, furnishingFurnishing of a newly purchased family home. Photographed by Golsa Afsharpour.[24]
Villa Granada: A Tranquil Mediterranean Treehouse in the HillsCrocker HeightsFurnishing, Spanish Mediterranean homeFamily-friendly living, dining and primary bedroom spaces using performance fabrics throughout. Photographed by Alyssa Rosenheck; shown on the firm's AD PRO Directory profile.[22][10]
Casa Renacimiento: A Home's Soul RestoredSan MateoRenovation and refresh of a 1931 Spanish Revival homeSimplified the vaulted-ceiling beams, arched doorways, refinished floors, and updated the kitchen (flooring, countertops, hardware, plumbing, appliances, windows and hood). Photographed by Radostina Boseva.[23]
Crafting Dreams: The Crucial Role of Interior DesignersHillsboroughRemodel design (3D renderings)Concept stage of a home remodel, presented through 3D renderings by Mahsa Afsharpour.[21]
San Mateo Park projectSan Mateo Park, San MateoResidential (scope not published)Shown in the firm's blog with walls in Benjamin Moore White Dove.[27]

Commercial

Retail and workplace interiors.

Featured commercial projects
ProjectLocationTypeScope and notes
By Bonnie Jewelry Showroom: Atelier Du DiamantBurlingameCommercial: jewelry showroom and officesExpansion of the By Bonnie Jewelry showroom from about 300 to 3,000 sq ft, turning two 1990s offices into a showroom with custom glass sliding partitions, a content studio and staff offices. The makeover was documented in a By Bonnie Jewelry YouTube video (April 2023). Photographed by Golsa Afsharpour.[8][31][10]

Awards and recognition [edit]

YearRecognitionScopeSource
2023, 2024, 2025, 2026Selected for the AD PRO Directory, Architectural Digest's directory of interior designers and architectsUnited States (national directory)[9][10]

Its Houzz profile carries the "Star Houzzer" badge, and the firm holds 5.0-star ratings on Google and Yelp.[32][33][34]

Press coverage [edit]

Coverage of the firm and its founder, newest first:

Showhouses and collaborations [edit]

No showhouse participation by the firm was found. Its published collaborations include:

Clients and testimonials [edit]

The firm's clients are mostly private homeowners on the San Francisco Peninsula, including young and growing families, along with small businesses such as By Bonnie Jewelry.[23][22][8] Afsharpour has said that many clients have become close friends, and that several of her projects were for friends.[10][24][8] Testimonials on the firm's website mention her eye for design, attention to detail from consultation to finished room, sourcing connections, her ability to combine colors, textures and furniture, and her understanding of clients' personal style, including a minimalist look.[1] Reviews on Yelp describe her as passionate and knowledgeable.[34]

Selected Google reviews

Saga Interiors holds a 5.0-star rating on Google. Clients highlight Afsharpour's eye for detail, her blend of Scandinavian and California style, and her project management of renovations, staging and commercial spaces. Excerpts from selected reviews:[33]

ThemeExcerptReviewer
Commercial design“Her experience in interior design saved me from all the mistakes I would've made on my own.”Bonnie S., owner of By Bonnie Jewelry
Real estate collaboration“My team and I have been working with Mahsa for more than 5 years now and together we have collaborated with Saga Interiors on numerous interior design projects.”Megan M., Canas Realty Team
Home staging“They transformed a blank slate into a stunning and sophisticated home. … She utilizes space well to create a spacious and welcoming flow within the home.”Set E.
Renovation and project management“We were also delighted that Mahsa was very effective at setting and project-managing the schedule for other contractors in the execution of the design plans.”Carl C.
Scandinavian design“Her design approach reflects the understated yet refined beauty that defines Scandinavian aesthetics.”Martin E.
Long-term clients“From adding a full bathroom, opening up the floor plan to combine our kitchen + living + dining room, converting our garage to a home office and finally, sourcing all the wonderful furniture and finishes to make it feel like our dream home - there was no ask too big or small!”Gino J.
Living spaces“She has an incredible eye for detail and a true talent for balancing modern aesthetics with timeless elegance.”Nancy D.
First-time clients“I came into our house project knowing very little about interior design, and Mahsa immediately stepped in as our expert guide. … The end result was beautiful, practical, and totally “us.””Anjali J.

Community involvement [edit]

Afsharpour served on the board of the Burlingame Parents Club.[20][8] She joined the PARCA Auxiliary in fall 2019. The auxiliary's annual luncheon and fashion show raises money for PARCA, a Bay Area organization serving people with developmental disabilities and their families. Afsharpour helped at the 2022 luncheon in Hillsborough and served as co-vice president of auction for the 2023 luncheon.[20][43]

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. "About". Saga Interiors. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  2. "Contact". Saga Interiors. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  3. "The Story Behind Saga Interiors". Saga Interiors blog, March 8, 2026. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  4. "Saga Interiors, LLC (California Secretary of State entity 201710310428)". California Secretary of State filing data via BizProfile. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  5. "Lessons from Amy Astley, the Global Editorial Director and Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Digest". Saga Interiors blog, February 27, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  6. "Portfolio". Saga Interiors. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  7. "181 Fremont: A Penthouse Amongst the Clouds". Saga Interiors. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  8. "By Bonnie Jewelry Showroom: Atelier Du Diamant". Saga Interiors. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  9. "Press". Saga Interiors. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  10. "Saga Interiors". Architectural Digest AD PRO Directory. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  11. "7 "Tacky" Decor Trends Designers Say Are Officially Out for 2026". Sarah Lyon, The Kitchn, November 14, 2025 (syndicated by Yahoo). Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  12. "Meet Mahsa Afsharpour". CanvasRebel, September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  13. "Inspiration Everywhere: An Interior Designer's Journey". UC Santa Barbara Alumni. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  14. "Saga Interiors". LinkedIn. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  15. "Saga Interiors". Saga Interiors (official website). Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  16. "Design Within Reach Turned a San Francisco Warehouse Into a Certified-Cool Flagship—And AD PRO Directory Members Got a First Look Inside". Architectural Digest, David Sokol, March 1, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  17. "A Day at the Bing Crosby Estate". Saga Interiors blog, March 31, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  18. "My Love for California Mediterranean Homes". Saga Interiors blog, May 6, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  19. "Mahsa Afsharpour '05". UC Santa Barbara Alumni on Instagram, March 27, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  20. "Parca Auxiliary Luncheon 2022". Saga Interiors blog, May 18, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  21. "Crafting Dreams: The Crucial Role of Interior Designers". Saga Interiors. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  22. "Villa Granada: A Tranquil Mediterranean Treehouse in the Hills". Saga Interiors. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  23. "Casa Renacimiento: A Home's Soul Restored". Saga Interiors. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  24. "Refined Comfort: A Luxurious Family Home". Saga Interiors. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  25. "Why We Need to Rethink How We Build Our Homes: Lessons from California's Fires". Saga Interiors blog, February 5, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  26. "Cabinet Hardware: The Jewelry of Your Home". Saga Interiors blog, November 2, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  27. "The Color of The Year". Saga Interiors blog, January 15, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  28. "The Marin Civic Center Gets It Right". Saga Interiors blog, January 22, 2026. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  29. "Services". Saga Interiors. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  30. "This San Francisco Penthouse Is the Epitome of Apartment Goals". MyDomaine, Caroline Utz. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  31. "The DRAMA Behind My Extreme Showroom Makeover". By Bonnie Jewelry (YouTube), April 8, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  32. "Saga Interiors – Project Photos & Reviews – Millbrae, CA". Houzz. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  33. "Saga Interiors – Google reviews". Google. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  34. "Saga Interiors – Burlingame, California – Interior Design". Yelp. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  35. "Real Estate Review Ep. 17: Mahsa Afsharpour from Saga Interiors". Real Estate Review with Alan Canas (YouTube), February 18, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  36. "Life & Work with Mahsa Afsharpour". CanvasRebel, November 25, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  37. "Interior Designers' Favorite Under-the-Radar Places to Shop for Affordable Decor". Apartment Therapy, March 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  38. "Shop Amazon Prime Day Like a Pro with 10 Designer Picks". Apartment Therapy. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  39. "2024 Bedroom Design Trends". The Spruce. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  40. "8 Interior Design Trends You'll See Everywhere in 2024, According to Designers". The Everygirl. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  41. "6 Dated Home Decor Pieces You Need to Throw Out ASAP, According to Designers". The Spruce. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  42. "From Chaos to Calm: A Feng Shui Guide for the Modern Home". Saga Interiors blog, August 13, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  43. "Parca Auxiliary Luncheon 2023". Saga Interiors blog, May 17, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2026.

Official

Directories and profiles

Social profiles

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