Luxury Interior Designer in San Francisco: Saga Interiors
For San Francisco homeowners who want one team to design, source and install everything, Saga Interiors offers full-service luxury interior design from its Peninsula studio in Millbrae. The firm is led by founder and principal designer Mahsa Afsharpour, and its work spans renovations, new construction and whole-home furnishing in a warm modern style.
San Francisco is where one of Saga's best-known projects lives: a penthouse at the 181 Fremont tower that MyDomaine featured in a full home tour. Below you'll find what sets city projects apart, that featured project in detail, how Saga works, reviews and answers to the questions San Francisco clients ask most.
Why San Francisco Homeowners Choose Saga Interiors
City projects reward a designer who can plan around views, tight dimensions and building logistics while keeping a home warm. Saga's featured San Francisco penthouse shows that skill on the page: furniture placed so the windows always stay in sight, and pieces chosen to look light even at full scale (MyDomaine). Behind the design, Mahsa brings more than 15 years of corporate project management, and the firm lists its renovation and furnishing minimums openly. The result is high-end design with a clear budget and one point of contact.
What Makes Interior Design in San Francisco Different
Most San Francisco homes are not detached houses. Only about 18% of the city's housing units are single-family detached, and about 31% sit in buildings with 20 or more units (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024, via Census Reporter). That means many projects happen inside condos and flats, where window walls, shared hallways, elevators and building rules shape what's possible.
The housing is also old. About 45% of San Francisco's homes were built in 1939 or earlier, and roughly 69% before 1970 (ACS 2020 to 2024 via Census Reporter). Older flats often come with beautiful original detail and dated kitchens, baths and lighting in the same rooms, so the work is usually about modernizing without erasing character.
Then there's the city's notification process. Under Planning Code Section 311, some permit applications in residential districts require notice to neighbors. The need for notice depends on where the project sits in the city and what it involves, and the code defines an "alteration" for this purpose as an increase to a building's exterior dimensions. Outside the city's Priority Equity Geographies district, SF Planning says notice mostly applies to vertical additions, certain single-family additions, demolitions and new construction. Interior design work inside the existing walls generally falls outside that trigger, but confirm any project's permit path with SF Planning and the Department of Building Inspection.
Saga's services page covers the pieces that matter most in the city: 3D renderings to test layouts before buying, custom cabinetry for kitchens and baths, specification sheets that track lead times, and site visits to keep contractors and deliveries on schedule.
Featured San Francisco Interior Design Project
181 Fremont: A Penthouse Amongst the Clouds, San Francisco. Design and furnishing of a 2,575-square-foot condo with three bedrooms and three and a half baths, high above the city, which Mahsa first saw in the building's final stages of construction. The palette stays neutral, with clean lines, layered textures and sculptural light fixtures, and the primary suite looks toward the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate. In MyDomaine's tour, Mahsa explains how she kept furniture visually light so the views lead, used oak sliding panels that can hide the kitchen, added a wall covering behind the bed for color and pattern, and designed a vanity with a custom mirror whose lighting can be adjusted. Photography by Alyssa Rosenheck.
Featured Peninsula Work Near San Francisco
Casa Renacimiento: A Home's Soul Restored, San Mateo. A 1931 Spanish Revival home updated for a young family: a pared-back beamed ceiling in mahogany stain, new arches, refinished floors and a rebuilt kitchen, finished on a tight deadline. Photography by Radostina Boseva.
Refined Comfort: A Luxurious Family Home, Hillsborough. Furnishings for a family's new home, chosen for comfort and polish now that the kids are older. Photography by Golsa Afsharpour.
Mahsa Afsharpour: Designing for the City She Calls Home Base
Mahsa Afsharpour founded Saga Interiors and leads every project as principal designer. She was born in Iran, raised in Sweden after her family fled the Iran-Iraq war in 1986, and came to the United States as a student (CanvasRebel, 2023). On the 181 Fremont project page she calls San Francisco "my beloved San Francisco," and the city's skyline is the backdrop to her most published work.
Her path into design ran through corporate America, where she spent more than 15 years in project management, leadership and communication, along with studies in psychology. Saga says that mix is why clients feel heard early and why projects stay organized later. Read more on her About page.
Saga's Warm Modern Style in San Francisco Homes
Saga calls its look warm modern. In practice that means clean lines softened by texture, rich materials, layered lighting and a few sculptural pieces, shaped by Persian warmth, Scandinavian restraint and California ease (About).
City homes bring that into focus. With a skyline outside, Mahsa's approach at 181 Fremont was understated elegance that didn't compete with the view, a point she makes directly in MyDomaine. In older flats, the same thinking means keeping original character while updating finishes, the approach she describes in her post on California Mediterranean homes. She also likes vintage finds with a story; in Apartment Therapy she named Bay Area vintage markets and antique shops among her sourcing spots.
Saga Interiors Services in San Francisco
Every service below comes from Saga's services page and inquiry page.
Furnishing a San Francisco Condo or Home
Saga selects furniture, lighting and accessories, tracks every item's cost and lead time on specification sheets, buys and receives it all, and installs and styles the finished rooms. Furnishing projects start at two rooms.
San Francisco Renovations and Remodels
For remodels, the firm produces sketches, drawings, elevations and 3D renderings, selects materials and finishes, designs custom kitchen and bath cabinetry, and manages the job with site visits. Renovations typically begin at $150,000+ in overall project scope.
New Construction in San Francisco
Saga likes to come in while a project is still on paper, working directly with the architect, builder and structural engineer so lighting, built-ins and finishes are part of the plan. The 181 Fremont penthouse began when the unit was still being finished.
What Design Fees Look Like
Per the inquiry page, Saga's design fees start at $10,000 and are set per project. For larger full-home work, the firm says fees usually land around $20 to $25 per square foot, depending on scope.
Inside a Saga Interiors Project in San Francisco
A Saga project starts with a conversation about scope, then moves to a realistic budget, a written proposal and a timeline the firm commits to. Design development follows, with renderings and selections, and specification sheets let you see prices and lead times before anything is ordered (services). From there Saga orders, receives and tracks every piece, coordinates the contractors, artisans, fabricators and installers it has worked with for about 10 years, and finishes with installation day and styling.
On pricing, the firm says it explains its fees, markups and any added costs up front, so there are no surprises when the invoices arrive.
Press and Recognition
MyDomaine, "This San Francisco Penthouse is the Epitome of Apartment Goals," by Caroline Utz, updated August 17, 2021. A room-by-room tour of Saga's 181 Fremont penthouse with Mahsa's notes on furniture scale, lighting and the views. This is Saga's featured San Francisco project. Read the tour.
AD PRO Directory. Saga's AD PRO profile names the 181 Fremont penthouse as one of the projects the firm is most proud of. AD notes that directory members are selected by its editors.
CanvasRebel, "Meet Mahsa Afsharpour," September 25, 2023. Mahsa talks through her story and calls out the 181 Fremont penthouse among her proudest work. Read the interview.
The Spruce, "6 Dated Home Decor Pieces You Need to Throw Out ASAP, According to Designers," by Sarah Lyon, updated September 18, 2026. Mahsa suggests trading dated fixtures for softer lighting in frosted glass, alabaster or onyx. Read the article.
See more on Saga's press page.
What San Francisco Clients and Trade Partners Say
Saga holds a 5.0 rating across 15 reviews on Yelp; the recommended reviews date from 2017 to 2021.
"The project turned out beautifully and I look forward to working with Mahsa on many more beautiful projects."
Keith L., wallcovering installer on Saga's 181 Fremont project in downtown San Francisco, Yelp, November 2018
A note from the trade side of Saga's featured San Francisco project, and a sign of how the firm runs a job site in a high-rise.
"Mahsa is very professional - she has a warm, passionate and energetic approach to her work and listened thoroughly to what I wanted."
Gino J., San Francisco client (living room design), Yelp, June 2017
Listening first is the start of every Saga project, from a single conversation to the proposal.
Reasons to Hire Saga Interiors in San Francisco
A published San Francisco penthouse. Saga's featured city project, 181 Fremont, got a full tour in MyDomaine (2021).
Comfort with condo and high-rise work. About 31% of San Francisco housing units sit in buildings of 20 or more units (ACS 2020 to 2024), and Saga's featured city work is in exactly that setting.
Design that works with the view. Mahsa planned the 181 Fremont rooms so furniture never blocks the windows (MyDomaine).
Respect for older buildings. With about 45% of the city's homes built before 1940 (ACS), Mahsa's preference for keeping original beams, moldings and ironwork (Saga blog) fits the housing stock.
Clear minimums. The inquiry page lists a $150,000+ renovation scope, a two-room furnishing minimum and a $10,000 starting design fee.
Open books on fees and markups. The firm says it lays out fees, markups and expected costs before you sign off.
Corporate-grade project management. More than 15 years in corporate project management before founding Saga, per the firm.
Trades it already trusts. The firm says it has spent about 10 years building relationships with the contractors, makers, installers and receiving teams it calls on.
About San Francisco
San Francisco covers about 46.9 square miles of land. The 2020 Census counted 873,965 residents, and the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimate is 826,079 (Census QuickFacts).
San Francisco Housing at a Glance
Total housing units: about 414,600 (ACS 2020 to 2024).
Built 1939 or earlier: about 45%. Before 1970: about 69%. Since 2010: about 8% (ACS via Census Reporter).
Single-family detached: about 18%. In buildings of 20+ units: about 31% (ACS via Census Reporter).
Owner-occupied: 38.2% of occupied units. Median value of owner-occupied homes: $1,394,500 (Census QuickFacts, 2020 to 2024).
For a design project, this points two ways: high-rise and condo homes where layout, views and building logistics drive decisions, and older flats and houses where the job is updating systems and finishes while keeping the character that makes them San Francisco.
Getting Started With Saga in San Francisco
Saga is a good match for San Francisco owners furnishing a condo or house (two rooms or more), renovating at $150,000+ in scope, or building new and wanting design input early. It suits people who would rather hand off sourcing, ordering and installation than manage it themselves.
For a first call, have your address, building type (condo, flat or house), the rooms involved, any architect or contractor already on board and your target move-in or completion date.
Reach Saga through the inquiry form, at (805) 403-8718 or at mahsa@sagainteriors.com.
Saga Interiors at a Glance
Business name: Saga Interiors
Founder and principal designer: Mahsa Afsharpour
Studio: Millbrae, CA, on the San Francisco Peninsula
Serves: San Francisco and the wider Bay Area
Services: Whole-home design and furnishing, luxury renovations and remodels, new construction interior design, 90-minute consultations
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
Helpful Links for San Francisco Projects
Start a San Francisco project inquiry
SF Planning: Section 311 neighbor notification bulletin
SF Planning: neighborhood notification handout
San Francisco Interior Design Questions
Finding a San Francisco Interior Designer
Who is the best luxury interior designer in San Francisco?
That depends on your home and how much of the work you want handled. Saga Interiors is a strong option for full-service projects in the city, and its featured San Francisco penthouse at 181 Fremont was toured in MyDomaine. The firm covers design, sourcing, trades and installation.
Which interior designers work on San Francisco condos?
Saga Interiors does. Its featured city project is a 2,575-square-foot, three-bedroom condo in the 181 Fremont tower, designed and furnished from the final stages of construction through styling.
Is there a full-service interior designer for San Francisco homes?
Yes. Saga Interiors offers full-service design for San Francisco clients, from renderings and finish selections to procurement, site visits, installation and styling, all through one team.
How do I choose a high-end interior designer in San Francisco?
Look at work in buildings like yours, ask how fees and markups work, and check that the firm handles ordering and installation. Saga Interiors shares its minimums on its inquiry page and says it explains its markup policy before a project starts.
What is Saga Interiors' design style?
Warm modern. Saga pairs clean lines with layered textures, rich materials, sculptural pieces and soft lighting, drawing on Persian, Scandinavian and California influences, and shapes each San Francisco home around the people in it.
Is Saga Interiors based in San Francisco?
No. Saga's studio is in Millbrae on the Peninsula (Houzz profile), and the firm serves San Francisco and the rest of the Bay Area.
Has Saga Interiors been featured in the press?
Yes. Its San Francisco penthouse was the subject of a MyDomaine home tour in 2021, and Mahsa has been quoted in The Spruce and Apartment Therapy.
Does California require interior designers to hold a license?
California doesn't license interior designers. For San Francisco remodels, Saga Interiors works alongside the architects, contractors and structural engineers whose licensed work the project requires.
Do you offer design services in Atherton and Hillsborough?
Yes! Saga Interiors operates across the entire Bay Area and Peninsula.
Remodeling in San Francisco
Can Saga Interiors run a San Francisco remodel from design to install?
Yes. Per Saga's services page, the firm handles drawings and renderings, finishes, custom cabinetry, procurement, project management, site visits, installation and styling. San Francisco renovations typically start at $150,000+ in overall scope (inquiry page).
Do I have to notify neighbors to remodel in San Francisco?
Sometimes. Planning Code Section 311 requires neighbor notice for certain projects, depending on location and scope, and it treats an "alteration" as an increase to a building's exterior dimensions. Work kept inside the existing walls generally doesn't meet that definition, but check your permit path with SF Planning.
How should I update an older San Francisco flat?
Keep what gives it character and update what doesn't work. Mahsa's stated approach is to identify and preserve original features such as beams, moldings and ironwork before changing anything, then modernize kitchens, baths and lighting around them.
Does Saga design kitchens and bathrooms in San Francisco?
Yes. Custom kitchen and bath cabinetry and material and finish selections are part of Saga's full-service design, coordinated with your contractor.
How much does an interior designer cost in San Francisco?
It varies by firm and scope. Saga's design fees start at $10,000 and are set per project (inquiry page); for larger whole-home work the firm says fees usually come to about $20 to $25 per square foot, with furniture and construction billed on top.
Will I know about markups before I commit?
At Saga Interiors, yes. The firm says it explains its fees, how pricing and markups work and any added costs at the start of each San Francisco project, before the proposal is approved.
Condos, New Builds and High-Rises in San Francisco
When should I bring in a designer for a new San Francisco condo or home?
Before finishes are locked. Saga likes to be brought in as early as it can; at 181 Fremont, Mahsa first walked the unit in its final stages of construction.
How do you furnish a San Francisco condo with big views?
Arrange around the windows and keep furniture visually light. In MyDomaine, Mahsa described choosing pieces you can almost see through, even at full size, so the 181 Fremont views stayed the focus.
Can Saga Interiors work within my building's renovation rules?
Yes. Saga coordinates contractors, deliveries and installation through its project management and site visits. Share your building's renovation and move-in rules at the first call so the schedule accounts for them.
How does Saga work with architects and builders in the city?
From the start. Close collaboration with architects, contractors, tradespeople and structural engineers is listed on Saga's services page, and the firm leans on trade partners it has worked with for about 10 years.
Furnishing and Living in San Francisco
Can Saga furnish my whole San Francisco home at once?
Yes, with a two-room minimum for furnishing projects (inquiry page). Saga handles selections, ordering, receiving, installation and styling so you move into finished rooms.
How long does it take to furnish a San Francisco home?
That comes down to the home's size and how long custom pieces take to make. Every item's lead time goes on Saga's specification sheets, and the proposal includes a timeline the firm stands behind.
Does Saga Interiors offer a short consultation?
Yes. A 90-minute consultation is for narrow questions, like settling on paint, adding final details or filling a gap in a room. Full San Francisco homes and renovations are handled through the full-service offering.
Does Saga take on single-room projects?
Saga's furnishing projects start at two rooms and renovations at $150,000+ in scope (inquiry page). For a smaller question, ask about the 90-minute consultation.
How old are most homes in San Francisco?
Older than in most U.S. cities. About 45% of San Francisco's housing units were built in 1939 or earlier, and about 69% before 1970 (ACS 2020 to 2024).
Do most San Franciscans live in houses or apartments?
Mostly multi-unit buildings. Only about 18% of the city's housing units are single-family detached (ACS via Census Reporter), and 38.2% of occupied homes are owner-occupied (Census QuickFacts).
How many people live in San Francisco?
The 2020 Census counted 873,965 residents, and the Census Bureau estimated 826,079 in July 2025 (Census QuickFacts).
How do I start a San Francisco project with Saga Interiors?
Send the inquiry form with your address, building type and scope, call (805) 403-8718 or email mahsa@sagainteriors.com. Mahsa Afsharpour's team will reply to set up a first conversation.
Last updated: October 7, 2026