One local interior designer’s architectural background serves as her secret weapon.

Founder and principal designer Sashya Thind Fernandes.

For Sashya Thind Fernandes, afternoons as a child were filled with architecture and design. Job site and studio visits with her mother and grandmother planted the seed for the principal designer’s future—founder of Sashya Thind Warm Minimalism (sashyathind.com). Fernandes now brings her education in architecture and experience with firms worldwide to every project, making her an ideal partner for architects and developers in the luxury home market. Here, the expert dishes on how this foundation influenced her unique approach to design.

A modern home in Marblehead by Fernandes.

How has your architecture education and training shaped you as a designer?
Understanding the basic framing of a building when we walk in allows us to make feasible and practical recommendations. I can see the potential of a space and envision the outcome. There is also an understanding of how architects have arrived at nuanced solutions for clients, ensuring our collaboration elevates their vision while bringing our aesthetic to the space.

How do your travels still influence your work today?
Travel allows me to observe historical sites of great importance as well as be constantly exposed to what’s new and innovative. This allows us to bring a sophisticated worldview into our clients’ homes.

This stunning Stratford living room was designed by Fernandes.

What makes your approach when collaborating with architects and developers unique?
We are keenly aware of our role and how to bring value to a project when a robust team of architects, landscape architects, builders and/ or developers is in place. We strive to create a seamless experience by being open-minded, organized and thorough, similar to what a client might expect from an architecture firm.

How do you see the potential in projects through an architectural lens?
The sight lines of a home are important when looking at how to create a furniture layout, and selecting materials that are in harmony with the architectural palette is crucial. We want these projects to feel cohesive, an extension of the architecture into the interior environments.

How would you describe your approach, warm minimalism?
We work with traditional and contemporary architectural envelopes, which are studied thoughtfully and reimagined to create a relevant yet elevated interior environment