Inspiring Conversations with Owner, Audra Samnotra

This post was originally published in VoyageTampa and highlights how Audra Samnotra’s journey from finance to design shaped the foundation of Social Swan Decor.

Heidi Kirn Photography

For Audra Samnotra, founder of Social Swan Decor, design has always been more than aesthetics. It’s a reflection of her journey—a career that began on Wall Street, where she thrived in high-stakes finance, and evolved into creating soulful, layered interiors for clients who seek beauty and balance in their everyday lives.

In her feature with VoyageTampa, Audra shares how the shift from finance to design felt like a natural progression. Friends and colleagues had long seen her passion for fabrics, furniture, and home styling even before she did. A design award for her East Village kitchen confirmed what many already believed: design was her calling.

After years in New York, followed by strategic leadership roles in Tampa, Audra found herself seeking more than professional success. Marriage and motherhood brought clarity: she wanted to live inside the values of family, warmth, tradition, and adventure. From that vision, Social Swan Decor was born.

Today, the studio specializes in creating deeply personal, refined retreats for C-suite professionals. Audra’s approach is intentional and collaborative, blending architectural integrity with layered textures and meaningful details. By managing every step from concept to reveal, she eliminates overwhelm—ensuring clients not only feel at home, but feel more like themselves in their spaces.

Heidi Kirn Photography

“The moment I live for is at the end of a project during the reveal. It’s not just because it’s pretty—it’s because it feels like them. The new them.”

Audra’s definition of success is simple yet profound: working on a handful of meaningful projects with great people, while carving out time for travel, family, and community. She thrives on the reveal moment—when clients tear up because the design isn’t just beautiful, it feels like them.

For Audra, Social Swan Decor isn’t a departure from her past life in finance. It’s the fullest expression of it: detail-oriented, client-focused, and designed to elevate the way people live.

Curious how your own story could be reflected in the design of your home? Let’s connect and explore how Social Swan Decor can create a space that feels like you.