As I continue with the fall interview series for The Mood Board Podcast, I’m excited to have Hema Persad on the show this week. Her firm Sagrada Studio is based in LA and she has designed for celebrities like Poorna Jagannathan from the Netflix hit series Never Have I Ever and Lifestyle coach and author, Jay Shetty. We dig into how Hema has been able to accomplish so much with her boutique design firm and how she knew when it was time to switch her career path to interior design. A new episode airs every Monday this fall. Please subscribe and share with your friends and family.
A native of Toronto, Canada, Hema was a practicing attorney for several years before following her heart and pursuing a career in fashion. In 2014, she moved to Los Angeles to chase her goal and spent the following 7 years dressing A-list celebrities, styling ad campaigns and editorials, and working with some of the top fashion talent in the world.
Completely self-taught, Hema's interior design career began in 2021 when one of her styling clients asked for help decorating their home. Because of her eye for design and ability to execute her creative vision, that first project snowballed into several more. Hema now designs residential and commercial spaces around the country. As the business continued to grow rapidly, it became clear that it needed its own identity apart from Hema. In 2022 Sagrada Studio was born out of her belief that there is no more sacred (“sagrada”) space on earth than where we live and create. The Sagrada Studio's mission is to honor these sacred spaces by helping clients design richly layered and livable rooms with an eye toward global inspiration.
When she’s not working, Hema loves traveling and discovering L.A. with her husband Ganesh, and their three daughters.
Below, shop Hema Persad’s mood board from photos from her recent projects and a few pieces inspired by Sagrada Studio’s style.
Hema gravitates towards tiles with a handmade feel and geometric shapes- Prismatic 2 Tiles in Desert Bloom
Hema converted her detached garage into the new HQ for Sagrada Studio- Get Inspired
Hema looks for unique furniture pieces in her designs with curves and mid-century modern flair- Silas Daybed
Designed by Hema in collaboration with Architectural Digest and Ruggable- Architectural Digest Nisa Ink Black Rug
Podcast studio designed for Jay Shetty- Get Inspired
A vintage-inspired pillow for Sagrada Studio’s next project- Kavia Pillow in Toffee
Featured in Architectural Digest the kitchen for the actress Poorna Jagannathan- Get Inspired
Wallpaper inspiration for an accent wall- Glass Half Full in Clay
Something unexpected to style on a shelf- Stone Blue Planter