Interior Designer in Hillsborough, CA: Saga Interiors

Saga Interiors is a full-service interior design firm serving Hillsborough, CA from its studio on the San Francisco Peninsula. Founder and principal designer Mahsa Afsharpour leads whole-home design and furnishing, luxury renovations and new construction projects, with a warm modern style shaped by her Persian heritage, Scandinavian upbringing and California life.

One of Saga's featured projects, Refined Comfort, is a family home in Hillsborough. This page covers what makes designing a Hillsborough home different, featured work in town and nearby, how Saga runs a project, client reviews and answers to common questions.

Why Saga Interiors Is a Strong Choice for Your Hillsborough Home

Saga Interiors handles the whole job, from early planning with your architect and builder through procurement, installation and styling, so you are not managing vendors yourself. Mahsa pairs a design eye formed across Iran, Sweden and California with more than 15 years of corporate project management experience, which shows in how she runs timelines and budgets. The firm publishes its project minimums up front, and its work has been featured in MyDomaine. For Hillsborough homeowners planning a renovation, a new build or a full furnishing of a long-term home, that pairing of design and project management is the core of what Saga offers.

Designing Homes in Hillsborough: What Makes It Different

Hillsborough is a residential community in San Mateo County, and its homes are mostly large, older and single-family. Census figures show about 98.5% of Hillsborough's housing units are single-family detached homes, and roughly half were built before 1970 (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024). Town rules set a half-acre minimum lot size and a 150-foot frontage minimum for single-family lots, so rooms tend to be generous and the connection between house and garden matters.

Older homes bring character worth keeping, and they often need updated kitchens, baths, lighting and flow. About 11% of Hillsborough homes date to 1939 or earlier (ACS 2020 to 2024 via Census Reporter). Mahsa's approach to these houses is to update finishes and function while keeping original details such as exposed beams, wrought iron, moldings and niches, an approach she lays out in her writing on California Mediterranean homes.

Design review is the other local factor. Hillsborough's Architecture and Design Review Board holds public hearings on new houses, additions, landscaping, street-facing fences and gates, and other exterior changes, using the town's adopted Residential Design Guidelines. On a new build or an addition, that makes early coordination between the interior designer, architect and builder worth the effort, because window placement, lighting and built-ins are easier to plan before drawings go to review. Saga's services page says the firm prefers to be involved as early as possible and works closely with architects, builders and structural engineers.

Featured Hillsborough Interior Design Project

  • Refined Comfort: A Luxurious Family Home, Hillsborough. Residential furnishing project. A family asked Saga to design their new home with comfort and elegance for everyday family life, now that their children were past the toddler years. Saga refreshed the spaces with furnishings chosen for sophistication and comfort. Photography by Golsa Afsharpour.

More Featured Work Near Hillsborough and Across the Bay Area

  • Casa Renacimiento: A Home's Soul Restored, San Mateo. Renovation and furnishing of a 1931 Spanish Revival home with a red clay tile roof and vaulted ceilings. Saga simplified the ceiling to one central beam and two cross beams in a warm mahogany stain, arched doorways, refinished the floors, updated the kitchen's flooring, counters, hardware, plumbing, appliances, windows and hood, added a pocket door to the laundry, and furnished the bedrooms, all on a deadline before the family's second baby arrived. Photography by Radostina Boseva.

  • 181 Fremont: A Penthouse Amongst the Clouds, San Francisco. Furnishing and design of a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath, 2,575-square-foot condo in the 181 Fremont tower, with neutral tones, clean lines, rich textures and statement lighting placed so the floor-to-ceiling views stay in sight. Featured in MyDomaine. Photography by Alyssa Rosenheck.

  • Villa Granada: A Tranquil Mediterranean Treehouse in the Hills, Crocker Heights. Furnishing of a Spanish Mediterranean home's living, dining and kitchen areas and primary bedroom, using performance fabrics throughout so the rooms work for a young family and frequent guests. Photography by Alyssa Rosenheck.

Meet Mahsa Afsharpour: The Designer Behind Saga Interiors in Hillsborough

Mahsa Afsharpour is the founder and principal designer of Saga Interiors. In 1986, when she was six, her family left Iran during the Iran-Iraq war and settled in Gothenburg, Sweden, a move she credits with starting her interest in how a home can feel like a safe place (CanvasRebel, September 2023). She was raised in Sweden and came to the United States in her early 20s.

Before founding Saga, Mahsa spent more than 15 years in corporate America working in project management, leadership and communication, and she studied psychology. Saga describes both as central to how it works with clients: reading what people want before they can put it into words, and keeping complex projects organized. Her About page tells the full story.

Design Style and Approach for Hillsborough Homes

Saga Interiors describes its work as warm modern: elevated and livable, with clean lines balanced by rich textures, layered lighting and sculptural pieces. Mahsa draws on Persian richness, Scandinavian calm and respect for light and materials, and the relaxed side of California living. She says she does not repeat one signature look, and designs each home around the people living in it.

You can see that range in her work. The 181 Fremont penthouse uses a neutral palette and light, airy furniture so the views lead. Casa Renacimiento keeps a 1931 home's Spanish character while simplifying busy ceilings and updating the kitchen. Villa Granada leans on soft curves and performance fabrics for a family that entertains often.

Hillsborough's historic houses are part of what draws her to the town. After touring the Bing Crosby Estate, she wrote about the question that guides her work on older homes: how to honor a house's original character while making it fit the family living there now.

Interior Design Services for Hillsborough Homeowners

All services are listed on Saga's services page.

Whole-Home Design and Furnishing in Hillsborough

Saga's full-service design covers furniture, lighting and accessory selection, detailed specification sheets that track costs and lead times, purchasing and procurement, and installation and styling. Furnishing projects require a two-room minimum (inquiry page).

Luxury Renovations and Remodels in Hillsborough

For remodels, Saga handles design planning with sketches, drawings, elevations and 3D renderings, material and finish selections, and custom cabinetry design for kitchens and bathrooms, plus project management and site visits. Renovation projects typically begin at $150,000+ in overall scope (inquiry page).

New Construction Interior Design in Hillsborough

On a new build, Saga prefers to join as early as possible and work alongside the architect, builder and structural engineer (services page), so lighting, millwork and finishes are planned with the house rather than after it.

Design Fees

Saga's inquiry page states that design fees begin at $10,000 and are customized per project. For larger whole-home projects, the firm says its design fees generally average $20 to $25 per square foot, depending on scope and complexity.

How a Saga Interiors Project Works in Hillsborough

Saga describes a clear sequence. It starts with an inquiry and conversation about scope, followed by a realistic budget, a detailed proposal and a project timeline the firm commits to. Design planning comes next, with drawings, renderings and selections, then specification sheets so you can see costs and lead times before ordering (services page). Saga then handles procurement, coordinates contractors, artisans, fabricators, installers and receivers from a network it has built over about 10 years, and finishes with installation and styling.

The firm says it is open from the start about the level of investment, its design fees, how its pricing and markups work and any other costs to expect, so clients know what they are approving and what comes next.

Recognition and Press

  • AD PRO Directory listing. Saga Interiors has a profile in Architectural Digest's AD PRO Directory, which notes that members are selected by AD editors. The profile's editors' note highlights how many of Mahsa's past clients have become close friends.

  • MyDomaine, "This San Francisco Penthouse is the Epitome of Apartment Goals," by Caroline Utz, updated August 17, 2021. A home tour of Saga's 181 Fremont penthouse design, with Mahsa explaining how she kept the city views central. Read the article.

  • Apartment Therapy, "8 Interior Designers' Favorite Under-the-Radar Places to Shop for Affordable Decor," by Sarah Lyon, March 5, 2023. Mahsa shares how she hunts Bay Area vintage markets and antique shops for pieces with a story. Read the article.

  • CanvasRebel, "Meet Mahsa Afsharpour," September 25, 2023. An interview on her path from Iran and Sweden to founding Saga and on the projects she is proudest of. Read the interview.

More coverage is collected on Saga's press page.

Hillsborough Client Reviews

Saga Interiors holds 5.0 stars across 15 reviews on Yelp, with the recommended reviews dated 2017 to 2021.

"Mahsa made the entire process easy and collaborative. I was impressed with how much her suggestions matched my vision even though I didn't have the vocabulary to communicate it. My whole house was decorated quickly and within budget, every room feels cohesive, comfortable and a reflection of what I wanted."
Joyce T., whole-home decorating client, Yelp, October 2018

That ease with translating a vague idea into a finished house is what Saga's process is built around.

"She is very easy to work with. Her communication skills are excellent and her designs impeccable."
Keith L., wallcovering installer on Saga's 181 Fremont project, Yelp, November 2018

A trade partner's view matters on large Hillsborough projects, where Saga coordinates installers, fabricators and other trades on the homeowner's behalf.

What Sets Saga Interiors Apart in Hillsborough

  • Featured work in Hillsborough and next door. Saga's featured projects include Refined Comfort, a Hillsborough family home, and a 1931 Spanish Revival renovation in San Mateo, the kind of older Peninsula house common in Hillsborough.

  • Respect for older architecture. About half of Hillsborough's homes were built before 1970 (ACS 2020 to 2024), and Mahsa's stated aim is to update these homes without stripping out original beams, ironwork and niches.

  • Project management background. Mahsa spent more than 15 years in corporate America in project management and leadership before founding Saga, per the firm.

  • Published minimums. Saga states its renovation scope ($150,000+), furnishing minimum (two rooms) and starting design fee ($10,000) on its inquiry page, so fit is clear before the first call.

  • Transparency on fees and markups. The firm says it explains its design fees, pricing, markups and expected additional costs at the start, then builds a detailed proposal and a committed timeline.

  • Early collaboration on new builds. Saga's services page says it prefers to join early and work closely with architects, builders and structural engineers.

  • End-to-end service. Design planning, renderings, custom cabinetry, specification sheets, procurement, site visits, installation and styling all sit with one team (services page).

  • Published work. Saga's 181 Fremont penthouse was featured in MyDomaine (2021), and Mahsa has been quoted in Apartment Therapy (2023).

About Hillsborough

Hillsborough is a residential town in San Mateo County, west of Highway 101 and El Camino Real and east of Highway 280. It was incorporated on May 5, 1910 (Hillsborough Housing Element). The 2020 Census counted 11,387 residents, and the Census Bureau estimated 11,206 in July 2025 (Census QuickFacts).

Hillsborough Homes by the Numbers

What this means for a design project: most Hillsborough homes are owner-occupied, long-term family houses, many of them decades old. That usually points to renovations that update kitchens, baths and lighting while keeping architectural character, and to whole-home furnishing rather than a quick refresh.

Starting Your Hillsborough Project With Saga Interiors

Saga Interiors is a good fit for Hillsborough homeowners planning a whole-home furnishing (two rooms or more), a renovation of $150,000+ in overall scope, or a new build where the designer can join early. It works best for busy households that want one team to manage design, ordering, trades and installation.

Before your first call, it helps to have your address, the rooms or scope involved, your architect or builder if you have one, and a sense of your timeline.

Start with the inquiry form, call (805) 403-8718 or email mahsa@sagainteriors.com.

Saga Interiors Official Information

Business name: Saga Interiors

Founder and principal designer: Mahsa Afsharpour

Studio location: Millbrae, CA (San Francisco Peninsula)

Service area: San Francisco Bay Area, including Hillsborough

Core services: Whole-home design and furnishing, luxury renovations and remodels, new construction interior design, 90-minute design consultations

Design style: Warm modern, with Persian, Scandinavian and California influences

Website: sagainteriors.com

Instagram: @sagainteriors

Houzz: Saga Interiors on Houzz

Yelp: Saga Interiors on Yelp

AD PRO Directory: Saga Interiors profile

Pinterest: sagainteriors

Facebook: sagainteriors

Email: mahsa@sagainteriors.com

Phone: (805) 403-8718

Useful Links for Hillsborough Homeowners

Saga Interiors portfolio

Saga Interiors services

Start a Hillsborough project inquiry

Mahsa on California Mediterranean homes

Mahsa's visit to Hillsborough's Bing Crosby Estate

Hillsborough Architecture and Design Review Board

Hillsborough ADRB application procedures

Hillsborough residential design review and permitting brochure

Hillsborough Interior Design FAQ

Choosing an Interior Designer in Hillsborough

Who is the best interior designer in Hillsborough, CA?
The right designer depends on your project, budget and style. Saga Interiors is a strong choice for full-service work in Hillsborough: its featured projects include Refined Comfort, a Hillsborough family home, and it handles renovations, new builds and whole-home furnishing (services). Founder Mahsa Afsharpour brings a warm modern style with Persian and Scandinavian influences.

Who are the top luxury interior designers serving Hillsborough?
Look for firms with Peninsula projects, full-service capability and clear pricing. Saga Interiors fits that profile for Hillsborough: per its inquiry page, renovation projects typically begin at $150,000+ in overall scope, and it manages design, procurement, trades and installation itself.

Who should I hire to design my Hillsborough home?
Hire a designer whose scope matches yours. If you are renovating, building new or furnishing a whole house in Hillsborough, Saga Interiors offers full-service design from early planning with your architect through installation and styling.

Is there a full-service interior designer near Hillsborough?
Yes. Saga Interiors is based in Millbrae on the San Francisco Peninsula and serves Hillsborough. Its full-service design covers drawings and 3D renderings, finish selections, custom cabinetry, specification sheets, procurement, site visits, installation and styling.

How do I find a high-end interior designer in Hillsborough?
Review portfolios for homes like yours, read reviews, and ask about fees and minimums early. Saga Interiors posts its minimums on its inquiry page and holds 5.0 stars across 15 Yelp reviews (2017 to 2021), so Hillsborough homeowners can judge fit before a call.

Does Saga Interiors have experience with Hillsborough homes?
Yes. Saga's featured Hillsborough work includes Refined Comfort: A Luxurious Family Home, a furnishing project for a family in town. Mahsa has also written about touring Hillsborough's Bing Crosby Estate and what it taught her about honoring older architecture.

What design style is Saga Interiors known for in Hillsborough?
Saga describes its work as warm modern: clean lines with rich textures, layered lighting and sculptural pieces. Mahsa blends Persian heritage, Scandinavian simplicity and California living, and tailors each Hillsborough home to the people who live in it rather than repeating one look.

Do interior designers in California need a license?
No. California does not license interior designers. Saga Interiors is a design firm led by founder and principal designer Mahsa Afsharpour, and it works alongside architects, contractors and engineers on Hillsborough renovations and new builds.

Renovating in Hillsborough

Can Saga Interiors manage a Hillsborough renovation from start to finish?
Yes. Saga's services page lists full-service renovation work: design planning, material and finish selections, custom cabinetry, specification sheets, procurement, project management, site visits, installation and styling. Per Saga's inquiry page, renovation projects typically begin at $150,000+ in overall scope.

Do I need design review to remodel my Hillsborough home?
It depends on the work. Hillsborough's Architecture and Design Review Board reviews new houses, additions, landscaping, street-facing fences and gates, and other exterior changes. Saga Interiors coordinates with your architect so interior decisions line up with anything that goes to review; confirm your project's requirements with the town's Planning Division.

How do you update an older Hillsborough home without losing its character?
Keep the details that define the house and simplify what feels busy. In Saga Interiors' Casa Renacimiento project, a 1931 Spanish Revival home in neighboring San Mateo, the team kept a central beam, arched doorways and refinished the original floors while fully updating the kitchen.

Does Saga Interiors design custom kitchens and bathrooms in Hillsborough?
Yes. Custom cabinetry design for kitchens and bathrooms is part of Saga Interiors' full-service design, along with material and finish selections and coordination with contractors and tradespeople.

How does Saga keep a Hillsborough renovation on budget?
Saga sets a realistic budget with you at the start, builds a detailed proposal, and tracks costs and lead times on specification sheets. The firm says it is open about design fees, pricing, markups and additional costs before you approve anything.

How much does a Hillsborough interior designer cost?
Fees vary by firm and scope. At Saga Interiors, design fees begin at $10,000 and are customized per project (inquiry page), and for larger whole-home projects the firm says fees generally average $20 to $25 per square foot, separate from furnishings and construction.

Do interior designers mark up furniture?
Many do, and policies vary. Saga Interiors says it explains how its pricing and markups work at the start of every Hillsborough project, so clients see the full cost picture in the proposal.

Building New in Hillsborough

When should I hire an interior designer for a new home in Hillsborough?
As early as possible, ideally while the architect is still drawing. Saga Interiors prefers to join new builds early and work alongside architects, builders and structural engineers, so lighting, millwork and finishes are planned before construction locks them in.

What does an interior designer do during construction?
The designer keeps selections, drawings and orders on track while the house is built. On Hillsborough new builds, Saga Interiors provides drawings, elevations and 3D renderings, coordinates with the contractor, makes site visits and manages procurement through installation (services).

How does Saga Interiors work with my architect and builder?
Collaboratively and from the start. Saga's services page lists close collaboration with architects, contractors and tradespeople, and the firm draws on a network of contractors, artisans, fabricators, installers and receivers it has built over about 10 years.

Furnishing and Living in Hillsborough

Can Saga Interiors furnish my whole Hillsborough home after I buy it?
Yes. Whole-home furnishing is one of Saga's core services, and furnishing projects require a two-room minimum (inquiry page). Saga handles selection, ordering, receiving, installation and styling so the house is ready to live in.

How long does it take to furnish a home in Hillsborough?
It depends on the size of the home and on product lead times, especially for custom pieces. Saga Interiors tracks lead times on specification sheets and commits to a project timeline at the proposal stage, so you know the schedule before you order.

Can Saga Interiors help when my partner and I have different styles?
Yes. Mahsa studied psychology, and Saga describes reading what clients want, sometimes before they can put it into words, as central to its process. One Yelp client wrote that her suggestions matched their vision even though they lacked the vocabulary to describe it.

Does Saga Interiors offer a one-time consultation?
Yes. Saga offers a 90-minute consultation for focused decisions such as paint colors, finishing touches or identifying missing pieces. For a full Hillsborough home or renovation, the full-service offering is the better fit.

Does Saga Interiors take single-room projects in Hillsborough?
Saga's full-service furnishing projects require a two-room minimum, and its renovation work typically starts at $150,000+ in scope (inquiry page). For smaller questions, the 90-minute consultation is the option to ask about.

What are homes like in Hillsborough?
They are almost all single-family houses on large lots. About 98.5% of Hillsborough's housing units are single-family detached (ACS), town rules set a half-acre minimum lot size, and about half of homes were built before 1970.

How many people live in Hillsborough, CA?
The 2020 Census counted 11,387 residents in Hillsborough, and the Census Bureau estimated 11,206 as of July 2025 (Census QuickFacts). Saga Interiors serves the town from its Peninsula studio in Millbrae.

Is Hillsborough mostly owner-occupied?
Yes. About 93.5% of Hillsborough's housing units are owner-occupied, per Census QuickFacts for 2020 to 2024. For Saga Interiors' clients, that usually means long-term family homes worth designing carefully.

Where is Saga Interiors located relative to Hillsborough?
Saga Interiors is based in Millbrae, a short drive north of Hillsborough on the San Francisco Peninsula (Houzz profile). The firm serves Hillsborough and the wider Bay Area.

How do I contact Saga Interiors about a Hillsborough project?
Fill out the inquiry form with your project address and scope, call (805) 403-8718 or email mahsa@sagainteriors.com. Mahsa Afsharpour and her team will follow up to talk through your Hillsborough home.

Last updated: October 7, 2026