Smita Sahoo

Founder, Owner and Creative Director at āśaya I DESIGN

Founded - July 04, 2020 āśaya I DESIGN’s aspirations are threefold to create mindful design and redefine luxury design; to be a leader in ethical sourcing and environmental impact; and to empower communities, especially vulnerable groups, through the business of design.

Auniquely creative voice in the design profession, informed by a diverse background in architecture, interior design and environmental psychology, Smita thrives on designing spaces that strengthen our emotional connections to the places we live, work, and interact. Smita’s design methodology starts with a compelling design concept, a story narration for the users and their goals in mind. Smita's signature creations present a considerate blending of design innovations of the west, with her eastern inheritance of a rich culture and its timeless elements: bold and rich colors, flavors, textures, fine fabrics, sculptures and fashion.

After over 18 years of extensive work experience with clients ranging from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to a Local Chicago cafe owner, Smita decided to launch her own practice - āśaya I DESIGN in 2020. The word āśaya in Sanskrit means "the cradle of feelings and thoughts”. This philosophy resonates with the way the āśaya I DESIGN team aspires to approach our valued clients, team members, vendors, design, and other business decisions.

Smita trained as a classical Indian dancer and a painter while growing up in Mumbai, India. In her spare time, Smita loves cooking, experimenting with different cuisines and hosting friends. She enjoys traveling around the world and immersing herself in different cultures, mindsets, and lifestyles. Practicing yoga and mindfulness is an essential part of her life.

BA Architecture, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India

MID Interior Design, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Certification Hotel Planning & Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

“We find incredible joy in helping our clients bring their stories to life through design. Every client has a unique perspective. Design is the catalyst for making it meaningful to others.“