Discovering My Interest in Design While Growing Up in Amravati
I grew up in Amravati, a city where life feels familiar and predictable in many ways. People know your family, your background, and often the path they expect you to follow. While that environment creates a strong sense of belonging, it can also shape how big you allow yourself to dream.
As a child, I was always more observant than expressive. I wasn’t the loudest person in a room and I rarely spoke unless I truly felt something needed to be said. Instead, I spent a lot of time observing the spaces around me: homes, rooms, and the small details that others might overlook. I remember noticing how sunlight entered a room at different times of the day, how moving furniture slightly could change the entire mood of a space, and how some homes instantly felt welcoming while others felt distant despite being beautifully decorated. Looking back, I realize those observations were shaping my interest in interior design long before I understood it as a profession.
Growing up in a smaller city also means you often hear practical advice about choosing stability and staying close to what feels safe. But somewhere within me there was always a curiosity about what existed beyond that familiarity. Moving to Mumbai became the first step toward exploring that curiosity.
“Sometimes the first step toward growth is simply allowing yourself to imagine a life larger than the one you have always known.”
Learning the Realities of Interior Design in Mumbai
Mumbai was a completely different world from what I had known growing up. The city moves quickly, opportunities appear and disappear fast, and competition is always present. Arriving there with ambition but limited confidence felt intimidating in the beginning.
I began my career working with established firms where I learned the practical realities of residential interior design. Those early years were filled with site visits, client discussions, vendor coordination, and countless revisions that slowly built both discipline and confidence. Design education teaches you principles, but working on real projects teaches you how people actually live inside the spaces you create; and that is undoubtedly far more valuable.
Every client carried a different story. Some were young couples designing their first home after years of saving. Others were families upgrading their homes to create more comfort and functionality. Some projects involved parents building a space that reflected decades of effort and sacrifice.
Through these experiences, I realized something that has stayed with me throughout my career.
“Interior design is not only about how a space looks, it is about how people feel when they live in it.” Understanding those emotions became just as important as choosing the right materials, layouts, or colors.
Starting Quaint Spaces: Turning Experience into My Own Design Studio
After spending several years learning and growing within the industry, I began to feel a strong desire to create something that reflected my own design philosophy. I wanted to design homes that felt personal, warm, and thoughtfully planned rather than simply following trends. That idea gradually evolved into Quaint Spaces.
Starting an interior design studio in Mumbai is not an easy decision. There were many doubts about leaving the security of a stable job, about competing in an already crowded industry, and about whether I was ready to take on the responsibility of building something of my own. But the thought of never trying stayed with me more strongly than the fear of failure.
When I finally took that step, the journey was far from simple. There were slow months, moments of uncertainty, and many situations where I had to learn quickly while managing responsibilities that extended beyond design including client relationships, budgeting, negotiations, and project planning.
The name ‘Quaint Spaces’ reflects the philosophy that has guided my work from the beginning. I have always believed that homes do not need to be extravagant to be beautiful. What truly matters is how comfortable, intentional, and meaningful a space feels to the people living in it. Completing the first independent project under Quaint Spaces remains one of the most memorable moments of my career. Watching a family walk into their finished home and seeing their genuine happiness reminded me why I chose this profession in the first place.
Coming from Amravati has remained one of my greatest strengths throughout this journey. It keeps me grounded and reminds me how deeply families value the homes they build. At the same time, Mumbai continues to challenge me to grow and improve with every project.
A Journey That Continues
When I look back at the girl who once arrived in Mumbai feeling uncertain and overwhelmed, I feel grateful for the experiences that shaped my path. There was no perfect roadmap, no guarantees, and certainly no moment when everything suddenly felt easy. But there was always a belief that the journey was worth taking.
Today, Quaint Spaces represents not just a design studio but years of learning, persistence, and gradual growth. There is still so much more to explore in the world of interior design and many more homes and stories to become part of.
What this journey has taught me most is that where you begin does not define how far you can go. Sometimes all it takes is the courage to start!
Key Takeaways from My Interior Design Journey
- Your background does not limit your Even smaller cities can nurture strong dreams.
- Interior design is not only about aesthetics; it is about understanding how people live and what makes a space meaningful to them.
- Real learning in design often happens on site; through experience, observation, and interaction with clients and vendors.
- Starting an interior design studio requires both creativity and resilience.
- Homes are deeply emotional spaces, and thoughtful design respects that emotional connection.
If my journey resonates with even one woman who is unsure about taking their first step, I hope it reminds you that beginnings rarely feel perfect, but they are always worth it.
With love, Prachi Sarda
Co-Founder, Quaint Spaces
