Designed, managed, and executed.
Our approach
Every project starts as a dream. We’re here to make it possible.
Aisling Collective was founded on the belief that bringing a project to life should be as exciting as the idea itself. We combine thoughtful design, experienced leadership, and a genuine commitment to making the journey as seamless and stress-free as possible for everyone involved.
With nearly two decades of experience across design, project delivery, and studio leadership, we’ve learned what helps projects succeed and what can get in the way.
A great idea needs the right team to make it happen.
Aisling Collective brings design thinking, operational understanding, and experienced project leadership together to help turn ambitious ideas into something real. We stay engaged from the first conversation through execution. We’re invested in the success of the project, not just our piece of it.
We lead the process and keep the many moving parts working toward the same goal.
Beautiful spaces are one thing.
Spaces that work beautifully another.
We see the guest experience, the people operating the space, and the needs of the business as part of the same equation. That means looking beyond the design itself to understand how each influences the others.
When those connections guide the work, design becomes more purposeful, more intuitive, and ultimately more effective.
The best projects start before the design does.
The earlier we’re involved, the more useful we can be. We like being there when the big questions are still being asked, helping gauge feasibility, identify priorities, and anticipate challenges while there’s still room to shape the direction.
Our experience helps clients make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.
Big or small. Same level of care.
We’ve worked with major hotel brands, first-time restaurant owners, established operators, and teams bringing entirely new concepts to life.
Every project gets the same curiosity, care, and involvement, whether we’re leading the full journey or supporting a specific phase.
High design. Exceptional execution.
What makes us different
- 01
Your vision, not our style
We don’t believe in a signature look. We listen, observe, and research to establish a thoughtful foundation for the design, rooted in your vision, your guests, and the context of the project. The result is a unique space that feels unmistakably yours.
- 02
Hospitality is in our DNA
Hospitality is what we know and love! We bring deep experience and a working knowledge of brands, best practices, industry standards, and what’s happening in the market today. That knowledge helps us ask better questions, anticipate needs, and bring useful perspective to the table.
- 03
Clear communication, always
Good communication keeps projects moving. We bring clarity to complex conversations, keep the right people informed, and make sure everyone knows what’s happening, what’s next, and what needs attention. We are responsive, accessible, and engaged.
- 04
Solutions, not roadblocks
Every project comes with challenges. Experience helps us see many of them coming, and curiosity helps us figure out what to do when something unexpected gets in the way. We focus on practical, creative solutions that keep the project moving without losing sight of the vision.
- 05
Flexible by design
Every project is different, and we don’t believe in forcing every client into the same process. We can lead the full journey, support a specific phase, or step in where we’re needed most. We adapt our role to your needs, your team, and what will genuinely serve the project best.
- 06
Partnerships that last
Great work starts with trust. We invest in relationships with our clients, taking the time to understand their vision, priorities, and goals. And we play nice with others, too. We take great pride in working effectively and respectfully across project teams.
Selected projects
HospitalityRetail
Selected projects
HospitalityRetail
Our services
Every project needs something a little different. We will bring the same experience, clear process, and attention to detail regardless.
Interior Design
Full-service interior design for hospitality, retail, and food & beverage spaces. We take a project from the first idea to the finished space, shaping a design that reflects your vision, works for the team operating it, and supports the business behind it.
Feasibility, Programming & Visioning
Some of our most valuable work happens before design begins. We help owners and operators test an idea before committing to it, working through programming and test fits to understand what a space can support. When a concept is still taking shape, we develop visioning studies that bring ideas into sharper focus and give everyone a clear direction to build on.
Concept Design through Construction Administration
We guide projects through every phase: concept, schematic design, design development, documentation, specifications, and custom elements, supporting during bidding and permitting, and construction administration. As opening approaches, we handle the final styling and details that ensure a space is ready for guests.
Throughout all phases, we work closely with owners, architects, consultants, and contractors so what gets built is what was intended.
Additional Services
- Brand Standards and Design Guidelines
- OS&E Direction
About Molly
Turning complexity into clarity is kind of her thing.
Molly Lawenda is the founder of Aisling Collective, a design leader, strategist, and occasional coordinator of chaos. With a degree in architecture and a career rooted in interior design, she brings a perspective that connects creative vision with the practical considerations of bringing a project to life.
A graduate of Syracuse University’s School of Architecture, Molly has spent nearly two decades working across hospitality, food & beverage, and retail, including time at award-winning design firms Dash Design, now Saguez & Dash, and The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry. Her experience spans everything from intimate restaurants and independent concepts to full-service hotels, large-scale renovations, and cruise ships.
Molly thrives in the in-between, where vision and execution meet and ideas are tested, challenged, and refined. She’s naturally curious and enjoys figuring out how things work, where they can be improved, and what might have been overlooked. She sees design as part of a much bigger picture, considering the people experiencing a space, the people operating it, and the business behind it.
She’s driven by the challenge of turning a good idea into something real: something that meets a need, functions seamlessly, and holds up over time. She brings empathy while holding a high bar, communicates openly, and knows how to keep things moving when a project gets complicated. She’s approachable, collaborative, and not afraid to bring a little humor to the process.
Contact
Tell us about your dream.
Whether you need a full design team or support on one phase, we'd love to hear what you're working on. Share a few details and we'll be in touch.