Sanam Zubli’s spark came while building her family’s Long Island home. What began as a practical project — managing contractors, choosing finishes, making countless decisions — became a revelation, unlocking a creative drive she hadn’t fully tapped before. Jen Cossidente’s path was different but no less certain. After years in the corporate side of fashion, she quickly realized stability couldn’t compete with her passion for design. To her, a well-conceived space isn’t just beautiful — it carries emotion, creating calm, joy, and belonging. She wanted to give that feeling to others, and design was the way.
A chance meeting at the Metropolitan Institute of Design brought Zubli and Cossidente together. Soon after, they launched Luxe Design, embracing the idea of a second act and stepping off the traditional path to follow their instincts. In doing so, they’ve built careers rooted in passion, purpose and the belief that home should be as inspiring as it is personal.
You both came to design from very different careers — what drew you to interiors, and why did it feel like the right second act?
Sanam: Right out of NYU Stern I went into book publishing, and for five years I loved being part of that world. But once I got married and started a family, I stepped away to focus on raising our kids. When it came time for us to build a larger home, I naturally took the lead on the design and construction process — every detail, every decision. I was surprised by how much I loved it; the process completely invigorated me and unlocked a creative side I hadn’t fully tapped into before.
Jen: I always had a love for design, but like many teens, I chose the practical path—business degree, corporate job, steady paycheck. Within two years, I realized I couldn’t keep ignoring the urge for more purpose. For me, finding that purpose was easy: I wanted to design spaces that make people feel something the moment they walk in.
How did those first conversations at the Metropolitan Institute of Design spark the idea for Luxe Design?
Sanam: Those first conversations weren’t so much about launching a business as they were about discovering a true partnership. Despite being at different stages in life, we immediately clicked — not only in terms of design aesthetic, but also in how we thought about business, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. The synergy was undeniable. From there, Luxe Design didn’t feel like a calculated decision — it felt like the natural extension of a partnership that had already taken shape.
Luxe Design is built around the philosophy of creating “the backdrop for life’s best moments.” What does that mean to each of you personally?
Sanam: As a mom of four, I’ve learned to see our everyday routines and milestones as chapters in a larger family story. And the setting for those stories is always our home. To me, creating ‘the backdrop for life’s best moments’ means designing spaces that honor both the ordinary and the extraordinary. A simple Monday night dinner, for example, can feel just as meaningful as a milestone birthday when it unfolds in a space that reflects who you are and what you value.
Jen: My aunt had a saying: ‘Live a Beautiful Life.’ Before she passed, she embodied that phrase in every way. It wasn’t just about dressing beautifully or keeping a perfect home—it was about loving fearlessly, savoring experiences, and making memories that would last a lifetime. That’s what we want for our clients. Everyone deserves a home that supports them in creating those kinds of moments.
How do you define luxury today, and how do you make it feel livable rather than intimidating?
Jen: For us, luxury isn’t about price tags or rarity — it’s about creating an elevated experience that feels both beautiful and deeply personal. True luxury lies in the layers of intentional design that transform a space you might overlook into something meaningful. Think of that awkward nook that suddenly becomes the coziest reading corner with a plush cushion and perfect lighting. That’s luxury: design that enhances how you live every single day.
Families are central to your work. How does designing for real life — kids, gatherings, daily routines — shape your approach?
Jen: Designing for real life means thinking beyond the here and now. Of course, we incorporate performance fabrics, durable materials, and scratch-resistant finishes—but just as important is anticipating what our clients will need as their families grow. How will the space work when young kids become teenagers? How can it transition to serve them in the future? Sanam’s experience raising four children, two of whom are already in college, has given us a firsthand perspective on how needs evolve.
Where do you find inspiration outside of interiors — in fashion, art, travel, or elsewhere?
Sanam: We of course find inspiration in fashion, art, and travel, but surprisingly our biggest inspiration comes from our clients’ stories. We spend time getting to know them—where their families are from, the trips they take, and how they want to live—so we can translate those details into the design. That’s what allows us to create interiors that are not only beautiful, but also truly reflective of who they are.
You’ve said design can change the way a family spends time together. Can you share a project where you saw that transformation happen?
Jen: A family of four came to us to design an additional living space. They already had two TV rooms, so our goal was to create something different—a room where the family could come together completely unplugged, with no phones, TVs, or iPads. The result was a cozy library fully equipped with a chess table, custom built-ins to store board games, and a sofa nook with reading lights and channeled upholstery running all the way to the ceiling for a cocoon-like effect. The client’s reaction said it all: ‘I can’t believe I got the kids in there without their iPads—they love it.’
What lessons from your first careers in publishing and fashion have proven most valuable as design entrepreneurs?
Sanam: In publishing, one of the most valuable lessons I learned early on is that every person is a brand. The way you present yourself, whether through how you speak, how you dress, or how you carry yourself in a room, tells a story about who you are and what you stand for. You cannot take that for granted, and it’s something I often remind my own kids of as they prepare for college and professional life.
Jen: My time in fashion taught me how critical communication is—not just timely communication, but effective communication. As an assistant buyer, I reported to four different higher-ups, each with their own preferences. I had to keep everyone aligned, even when they were saying different things. That skill has been invaluable in design. A workroom creating custom window treatments, for example, needs very different information than a client does, and it’s our job to make sure both are crystal clear. Navigating those layers of communication is what keeps projects running smoothly.
When someone walks into a Luxe Design home, what do you hope they immediately feel?
Jen: When you walk into a Luxe Design home, we want you to feel immediately welcomed. Our spaces are designed to impress, but never to intimidate. Go ahead—sink into the sofa, pile on top of the pillows, or pick up a pot and start cooking. Each home tells our client’s story, and our hope is that you feel both at ease and intrigued to learn more.