Founder Magazine
Ar. Ashwini Gole, Head Designer at Cristina Interiors, Mumbai, is a living testament to the idea that passion, perseverance, and dedication to one’s craft can create lasting success. From humble beginnings to becoming a leading name in the luxury interior design space, Ashwini’s journey reflects the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, creativity, and personal growth.
The Inception of Cristina Interiors
Cristina Interiors, founded in 2010 by visionary entrepreneur Aftab Mohommad, set its roots in Mumbai, a city known for its vibrant culture and fast-paced growth. Since its inception, Cristina Interiors has strived to provide luxury residential projects, focusing on creating aesthetically beautiful yet highly functional spaces. The company quickly gained attention for its unique blend of creativity, sustainability, and attention to detail.
Aftab Mohommad’s goal was not just to create luxury interiors, but to craft spaces that resonate with the client’s personality while making a positive impact on the environment. Cristina Interiors has always sought to merge style with functionality, turning dream homes into reality with sustainable designs.
Ashwini Gole, as the Head Designer, joined Cristina Interiors in 2017, bringing her unique design sensibilities, passion for creativity, and commitment to making every space not just visually appealing but also sustainable and functional.
The Rise of Ashwini Gole
Ashwini Gole’s journey in the world of design has been both fulfilling and transformative. Since childhood, Ashwini had a deep interest in creativity and design. She was fascinated by how spaces could reflect a person’s character and lifestyle. This led her to pursue her education in architecture, and she was soon on her way to becoming a recognized name in the industry.
As a head designer at Cristina Interiors, Ashwini has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth. From 2017, she has worked tirelessly to design exceptional residential spaces that cater to the needs and desires of the clients while keeping sustainability in mind. Under her leadership, Cristina Interiors has become a prominent name in the luxury interior design industry, known for creating beautiful yet functional homes.
What Sets Cristina Interiors Apart?
Cristina Interiors specializes in luxury residential projects, and Ashwini’s work as Head Designer has significantly contributed to the company’s reputation. The company’s core philosophy revolves around delivering highly functional and sustainable spaces, all while maintaining a sense of luxury. Every design project is tailored to meet the unique needs of the clients, making them feel comfortable, relaxed, and truly “at home.”
What makes Cristina Interiors stand out is the commitment to making luxury accessible. While the company focuses on creating high-end designs, it strives to remain budget-friendly, ensuring that their designs have an impact on society, offering style and functionality without compromising on affordability. For Ashwini, the impact of her work is not just about beautifying a space but also about contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.
Overcoming Personal Struggles
The journey to success, however, was not without its share of personal struggles. One of the most significant challenges Ashwini faced was the loss of her father. Losing a loved one is always a traumatic experience, and it left Ashwini emotionally shaken, affecting her focus and performance in her professional life.
However, through this immense personal loss, Ashwini learned a valuable lesson: life moves on, and resilience is key to success. While it was a painful period, it taught her the importance of perseverance and the need to stay strong in the face of adversity. Ashwini’s resilience in overcoming these struggles became the foundation of her professional growth and her belief in her own abilities. This inner strength is what made her thrive as both a person and a designer.
The Importance of Understanding Clients
A crucial lesson Ashwini learned along her journey is that understanding the psychology and requirements of the client is just as important as technical skill in architecture and design. As a designer, it is essential to create a space that is not only visually stunning but also perfectly aligned with the client’s vision and lifestyle. Ashwini firmly believes that a designer must listen to the client’s desires and work collaboratively to achieve their vision.
“Ultimately, it’s their space, and they will be living in it, not us,” she says. “So, it’s important to ensure their needs and ideas take center stage in the design process.”
Understanding clients on a personal level, connecting with them, and ensuring their wishes are heard and implemented, has played a crucial role in Ashwini’s success. Cristina Interiors has built a strong reputation for not just delivering beautiful designs but for fostering lasting relationships with clients, and much of this is due to Ashwini’s approach of listening first and designing second.
Facing Challenges as an Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurship is never without its struggles. The market for interior designers is highly competitive, and to stand out, one must continually evolve. Ashwini faced the challenge of making her mark in a crowded industry, where many talented designers were vying for the same projects.
Ashwini’s solution to this challenge was simple: stay ahead of the curve by constantly upgrading her designs and materials. By keeping up with the latest trends, incorporating innovative ideas, and focusing on sustainable materials, she ensured that Cristina Interiors would stand out in the competitive market.
She also saw an opportunity in the growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable design practices. While she has yet to fully incorporate green architecture into her work, she is committed to starting this process and incorporating environmentally conscious materials and techniques into her projects.
A Milestone Moment
One of the most significant milestones in Ashwini’s career was her very first project, which had a budget of just 15 lakhs. Despite the modest budget, the project gave Ashwini the confidence she needed to move forward in her career. It was the turning point that made her realize her potential as a designer, and she learned that no project is too small to deliver excellence.
This project became a personal milestone, as it was the moment she understood that with hard work, dedication, and passion, she could accomplish anything. It was the spark that ignited her career and pushed her to continue growing and striving for excellence.
The Future of Cristina Interiors
Looking ahead, Ashwini is focused on taking Cristina Interiors to greater heights. The company’s future prospects include growing its presence in the luxury interiors market while ensuring that its design approach evolves with the changing needs of society. Sustainability will play an increasingly important role in their work, and Ashwini is committed to leading this change by adopting green design practices in the near future.
Ashwini’s vision for the future of Cristina Interiors revolves around creating spaces that are both luxurious and sustainable, reflecting the company’s commitment to the environment and the client’s unique needs. She envisions a future where Cristina Interiors will continue to grow, leading the way in luxury interior design while making a positive impact on society.
A Message to Aspiring Architects and Designers
To all aspiring architects and designers, Ashwini offers this piece of advice: “The field of architecture and design is incredibly creative and full of opportunities. If you put in the work, stay committed to your craft, and remain open to learning and evolving, you can create something extraordinary. Work hard, trust your instincts, and never stop growing.”
Ashwini’s journey serves as an inspiration for anyone looking to pursue a career in design or entrepreneurship. Her story is proof that with passion, perseverance, and a focus on personal growth, success is within reach.
Cristina Interiors, with Ashwini Gole at the helm, is set to continue leading the way in luxury interior design. With her creative vision, strong values, and dedication to making spaces beautiful, functional, and sustainable, the company’s future is certainly bright.
