At the dynamic crossroads of creativity, style, and purpose stands Sarah—the visionary founder and principal designer of UA Designs, a full-service luxury interior design firm rooted in elegance, functionality, and heart.

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Design has been a lifelong passion for Sarah. From an early age, she dreamed of a career in interior design and architecture. But life took an unexpected turn—becoming a teenage mother led her to pursue a more stable path in nursing. For eight fulfilling years, she built a career as a registered nurse, all while her creative drive quietly endured.

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Eventually, Sarah began taking on design projects alongside her nursing career, bringing the same structure, precision, and compassion she honed in healthcare into every space she touched. Her professional journey in design took off with a proprietary system she developed specifically for real estate flips—projects that demanded tight timelines, smart budgeting, and streamlined execution.

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Over the past 12 years, Sarah has refined that system for high-end residential clients, evolving it into a signature approach that guides clients through complex renovations and custom builds with ease. At UA Designs, every project blends elevated aesthetics with intentional, functional design—ensuring each space is as livable as it is beautiful.What began at a kitchen table with swatches and sketches has grown into a thriving firm delivering more than 50 distinctive projects a year. Under Sarah’s leadership, UA Designs is known for its warm, approachable perspective on luxury, grounded in honesty, collaboration, and a deep understanding of each client’s vision.

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Beyond the world of interiors, Sarah is a devoted wife and proud mother of four. Her greatest joy is welcoming family and friends into her home in northwestern New Jersey, where laughter and connection fill every room. Whether cheering on the sidelines at her kids’ sporting events, volunteering at church, hitting the slopes in winter, or hiking mountain trails in summer, Sarah lives with the same passion and purpose that fuel her design work.

Every thriving business requires a manager to keep the wheels turning in the right direction. For UA Designs, that’s Deana O’Donnell. The longest-tenured full-time employee, Deana serves as the Director of Operations, creating and maintaining processes to ensure the team stays on track.

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Deana previously spent a decade in administrative services and as a legal secretary for the general counsel. She started with UA Designs in 2016, implementing and enforcing structure in the company’s nascent stage. Today, her office management and support skill sets bring organization to the always-moving creative team.

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Outside of the office, Deana loves to hike, participate in yoga, bake, and cook. Her dream vacation is to read a book on the beach. Deana is married to her high school sweetheart and they have four children and two grandchildren.

Paul joined the UA Designs team in 2021. He enjoys watching the design process evolve from the initial on-site measurements to the renderings and the final product. It is very gratifying for him to see the space come to life, knowing that a family will create lasting memories in a space designed with their needs in mind. Paul holds an AutoCAD certification from the New York Institute of Art and Design. His lifelong passion for art and attention to detail helps the team transition smoothly from the design phase to fully executed project management.

Karly discovered her passion for design at a young age, spending her childhood reimagining spaces and drawing inspiration from watching HGTV. She pursued her dream by earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Architecture from Marywood University, where she also had the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy. Her design approach focuses on creating spaces that are not only beautiful but deeply personal and functional for her clients. For Karly, the greatest reward is seeing the joy on clients’ faces when their vision comes to life in a space they’ll love and enjoy every day.

Jonathan works as our on site Project Manager where he ensures projects run smoothly from concept to completion. Since joining the team at the end of 2021, he’s earned the title of the office’s unofficial IT guy - always ready to jump in and troubleshoot when tech issues pop up. He’s been known for keeping things organized, solving problems quickly, and creating a positive experience for both clients and coworkers. He thrives on collaboration and loves working with people to bring great ideas to life.

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Outside of work, Jonathan has a deep love for music and is always up for anything outdoors. He also serves as a youth leader at his church, where he puts his passion for leadership into action by mentoring and guiding the next generation.

Interior design has always been Erin’s lifelong passion, and now, as a graduate with a degree in Interior Design from Kean University, she’s excited to begin her professional journey. Drawn to residential design for its personal connection with clients, Erin creates spaces that reflect each individual’s unique personality and needs. She believes great design blends creativity with functionality, transforming homes into both beautiful and practical environments. Erin is dedicated to crafting thoughtful, personalized interiors that feel like home, and she looks forward to growing as a designer with every new project.

Mashal earned her undergraduate degree in Interior Design from the prestigious Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture in Pakistan. Before moving to the U.S., she gained experience in residential and commercial design. Inspired by the heritage and colonial architecture of her hometown, Karachi, she finds beauty in imperfections—a perspective she brings to every project. For Mashal, design is about turning flaws into visually striking, functional spaces that tell meaningful and inspiring stories.

Rachel is a member of the operations team, passionate about people, organization, and supporting others to ensure everything runs smoothly. With previous experience at an interior design firm in Charlotte NC, where she worked in marketing and operations, Rachel brings a keen eye for detail and efficiency to her role.

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Beyond her professional expertise, Rachel is also a social worker, deeply committed to helping others. She finds joy in hiking, baking, and traveling, always seeking new experiences and connections. For Rachel, interior design is more than aesthetics—it’s about storytelling. She believes that every space should reflect the unique journey of its owner while also fostering new memories for those who gather within it.

Each business needs an office wrangler, and that’s where Diana comes in for UA. The self-proclaimed printer whisperer and storage room tamer, Diana keeps the office running for a team of more than a dozen employees. Diana has been with UA since late 2021 and feeds off the creativity and organizational structure. The process of seeing a simple drawing become a designed living space has fueled her excitement to be part of the company.When not keeping UA’s office in order, Diana is spending time with her husband and four daughters and their families, including five grandchildren.