“We’re dedicated to ensuring that every aspect of a home mirrors its residents’ unique personality and style.”
Ashwiinii Dongare (Founder & CEO, Interiors by Ashwiinii Dongare)
Ashwiinii Dongare’s journey from a small rural town in Maharashtra to establishing a thriving interior design firm is nothing short of inspiring. Growing up, in Beed, Khokarmoha, Ashwiinii was always passionate about drawing and dreamed of becoming an architect. Although she didn’t get into architecture after 12th, she didn’t give up. Instead, she turned her focus to engineering but kept her passion for interior designing alive by studying it alongside her engineering course.
After earning a diploma in interior design, she founded Interiors by Ashwiinii Dongare LLP in 2019. Her firm led by her vision and a skilled team, specialises in turning homes into beautiful and stylish spaces that match the client’s personality. Ashwiinii emphasises that her goal is to turn her client’s home into a lively, cosy and stylish space that showcases the client’s personality.
Furthermore, Ashwiinii handles every step of the interior design process. It includes everything from planning and designing the look of her client’s home to managing the actual construction and decoration work, ensuring that the final result meets the client’s expectations. This meticulous approach brings designs to life, turning each vision into a tangible reality and ensuring that the final result exceeds the client’s expectations.
Ashwiinii says, “My journey into interior designing started with a lifelong passion for creativity and aesthetics. What fascinates me about interior design is how it can truly impact people’s lives. It’s not just about making a space look good; it’s more about improving how people feel and function in their surroundings. I find it amazing how design can affect mood, productivity and comfort.”
She also loves the variety that interior designing provides as each project is different, bringing new challenges and chances to be creative. With ever-changing trends and materials, there’s always something new to learn and explore. Ultimately for her, it’s a mix of creativity, problem-solving and the joy of making a real difference in people’s lives that makes interior designing so fulfilling and rewarding for her.
Transforming Spaces With Practical Design Solutions
The company’s motto is to create a beautiful & practical space according to client needs. It focuses on making designs that are stylish, functional, sustainable & universal designs. The team at ‘Interiors’ provides exceptional attention to each client and tries to understand their preferences and requirements. Additionally, the company is a leading Pune-based interior design firm that specialises in residential spaces & turnkey development and manages projects from start to finish.
The company’s home interior design services cover everything from planning the layout to designing custom furniture, choosing lighting and selecting materials. The team works closely with clients to create spaces that feel comfortable, luxurious and truly personal.
Ashwiinii emphasises, “What sets us apart is our commitment to personalised service and our skills in transforming spaces into perfect reflections of our client’s vision.” Some of the key features that makes the company stand apart from the rest of its competitors are:
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3D Visualisation
Clients can see a detailed 3D preview of their home before the construction begins. With the help of advanced technology, they can visualise how their finished how will look.
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Turnkey Projects
The company manages every aspect of villa and apartment projects including planning, choosing materials, scheduling and overseeing the entire process with quality control and progress updates. It also includes Bill of Quantity, Composite Quotations, Material Specifications, Finishes & Execution Schedule, Shop Drawings, Site Measurements, Factory Cut Fit Outs, Storage Management, Weekly Progress Reports, Warranty Certification, Quality Control and Handing Over Agreement.
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Execution
Interiors are brought to life by designing features such as stylish ceilings, kitchens, wardrobes and sofas. The team at Interiors by Ashwiinii Dongare ensures everything is completed to perfection.
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Onsite Supervision
The team of experienced project managers and site supervisors ensure that the whole process is smooth and stress-free so that the client has a pleasant experience throughout the whole process.
Building Strong Client Relationships
At Interiors By Ashwiinii Dongare, the company envisions creating inspiring yet functional spaces that enhance clients’ lives. The company is committed to delivering interior design solutions that combine creativity, practicality and sustainability. By understanding client’s unique needs and preferences, the company provides customised designs that reflect their personality.
Ashwiinii says, “Our vision is to become leaders in innovative and sustainable design practices and set new standards for eco-friendly interior designing. We also aim to expand our reach and establish our presence in the international market. Subsequently, we aim to elevate the client experience through exceptional service, personalised attention and cutting-edge solutions.”
She believes creativity is about creating new and valuable ideas by thinking outside the box. It involves mixing existing concepts in unique ways, exploring different perspectives and solving problems with imagination. Subsequently, creativity is not just about artistic expression but also about problem-solving and innovation across domains.
“To encourage creativity, we create an environment where team members can collaborate and share ideas openly. Brainstorming is done in groups to explore different viewpoints and find new solutions. By recognising and celebrating creative successes, we reinforce the importance of creativity and inspire the team to keep thinking imaginatively,” shares Ashwiinii.
Successful projects begin with clear and honest communication. The company appreciate clients who are open about their needs, preferences and budget, as it helps them understand their vision and set realistic expectations. Along with this, there are other things that the company believes in such as:
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Trust & Respect
The company values clients who trust their expertise and respect their professional advice. Additionally, clients must be open to suggestions while also sharing their own ideas and feedback.
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Flexibility
There are times when design projects might face unexpected challenges like not being able to meet the deadlines or the client not liking the finished product. It is essential to seek those clients who are flexible and can easily adapt to these disruptions and contribute to a smoother process and better results.
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Timelines
The interior designing industry runs on timely decisions as the trends keep on changing with every season. The clients must make decisions on time and give prompt feedback to help keep the project on track and within schedule.
Exploring New Opportunities and Trends
The interior design industry is increasingly focusing on eco-friendly practices. It includes using sustainable materials, energy-efficient solutions and designs that can help minimise their carbon footprint. Additionally, there is a demand to integrate smart home features in projects like smart lighting, climate control systems and advanced security features that help in energy conservation.
Personalised and customised design solutions are also gaining popularity, as clients seek spaces that reflect their tastes and lifestyles. An example of this is using VR and AR in design presentations to ensure that clients can experience and interact with design concepts before they get implemented. This not only helps improve client engagement but also streamlines the design process.
Along with this, the company also focuses on wellness principles in its designs using natural light and non-toxic materials to create spaces that promote both mental and physical well-being. Clients who care about health and comfort are drawn to this approach. Trends that are appearing in the interior design industry include using natural materials, adding indoor plants, and designing spaces that let in plenty of natural light.
The company incorporates these trends by using sustainable materials like reclaimed wood and natural stone as well as adding indoor plants and green walls. They also design spaces to maximise natural light by placing windows strategically and incorporating the latest smart home technology, including smart lighting, automated climate control and security features, to meet the client’s needs. The team works closely with its clients to understand their unique preferences and lifestyle needs and the design process focuses on customisation, creating custom furniture, personalised colour schemes and layouts that reflect each client’s style.
Ashwiinii shares, “Contributing to a sustainable future through design is incredibly fulfilling. Every project we undertake is an opportunity to make a positive impact, whether it’s by choosing eco-friendly materials or creating spaces that promote well-being. For me, it’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about leaving a lasting, responsible legacy in every space we design.”
Overcoming Challenges
Starting a company in the interior design industry comes with many challenges. Building a successful firm involves hurdles like attracting clients, establishing a good reputation and managing day-to-day finances & day to day operations.
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Building A Client Base
One of the first hurdles is attracting and retaining clients. This requires effective marketing, networking and establishing credibility. The company overcame this hurdle by focusing on smaller projects initially and using word-of-mouth referrals. It also invested in marketing, building a strong social media presence and partnering with local businesses to boost its visibility to gain clients.
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Establishing Reputation
Building trust and a good reputation in a competitive industry takes time and effort. The company focuses on delivering excellent results and exceptional customer service. Positive client reviews, successful projects, and taking part in industry events helped them build their reputation. They also sought media coverage to boost their visibility and credibility.
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Financial Management
Managing finances like budgeting and cash flow, can be tough for new businesses. The company managed this by setting up strict financial controls and regularly checking its finances. It involved making detailed budgets, predicting cash flow and investing wisely in important areas like marketing and hiring new talent.
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Operational Efficiency
Setting up efficient operational processes and managing day-to-day operations can be complex, especially with limited resources. The company focused on streamlining its operations by investing in project management tools and software. It also developed standard procedures for project execution and client management to ensure consistency and efficiency.
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Navigating Industry Trends & Competition
Staying relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving industry requires continuous adaptation and innovation. The company is committed to ongoing professional development and staying informed about industry trends. It included attending workshops, participating in industry forums and incorporating emerging trends into their designs.
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Building A Talented Team
Another challenge was attracting and retaining skilled professionals. Ashwiinii’s team focuses on creating a positive and collaborative work environment that encourages creativity and professional growth. They also offer competitive compensation and opportunities for advancement to attract top talent.
By tackling these challenges with strategic solutions, the company has built a strong foundation and found success in the interior design industry. Interiors by Ashwiinii Dongare has been recognised as the “Trendsetter & Creative Interior Design Firm of the Year 2024” Maharashtra Award under the “Premium Projects & Excellent Consultancy” category for the year 2024 (Global Edition). Additionally, Ms Ashwiinii Dongare has been honoured with the prestigious “40 Under 40” Futuristic Interior Designer of the Year 2024 Award, India.
Ashwiinii reiterates, “Looking ahead, Interiors by Ashwiinii Dongare aims to lead by providing innovative, eco-friendly designs and expand globally. The firm will keep exploring new trends and focus on providing personalised and top-quality service. Our goal is to reflect each client’s unique style in every project and make a positive impact on their lives through exceptional design.”
