For two decades, Naushaly de Livera, founder of Cozy Linen, has been redefining the art of home comfort in Sri Lanka. What began as a passion project born from her love of fabrics, colour, and design has evolved into one of Colombo’s most admired home interior brands. Cozy Linen stands as a symbol of warmth and refined living, where craftsmanship meets creativity and where heritage blends beautifully with modern design. With a career that began in her father’s garment factory, Naushaly’s journey is one of persistence, courage, and vision. Her eye for detail and her respect for Sri Lankan artistry have made Cozy Linen a trusted name among homeowners and hoteliers alike. In this candid conversation, Naushaly opens up about her beginnings, challenges, inspirations, and advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs who dream of building something meaningful from the ground up.
You started your career helping in your father’s company. What moment made you realise you wanted to build your own business?
I began my career working in my father’s factory, helping in the accounts department while we produced children’s wear for the export market. At the time, the garment industry in Sri Lanka was struggling, particularly for medium-sized factories, and I saw firsthand how difficult it was for my father to sustain the business. That experience made me realise that I wanted to start something similar, but on my own terms. My mother was the one who gave me the final push. She saw my interest and encouraged me to follow my instincts. Her faith gave me the confidence to take that leap. When I looked around 20 years ago, I noticed that there wasn’t a single store dedicated entirely to home soft furnishings. At the time, such products were only small sections within larger stores. I recognised that gap and saw an opportunity. And finally, there was passion; pure and simple. I’ve always loved fabrics, textures, and colours, and I wanted to create something that made people feel the same joy I did when surrounded by beautiful things. Those three reasons, experience, opportunity, and passion came together and became the foundation for Cozy Linen.
When you opened the first Cozy Linen store 20 years ago, what were the biggest challenges you faced as a young entrepreneur?
The challenges were many! Sourcing was the first. I had a clear idea of the products I wanted, but I had to make tough choices, whether to focus only on bed linen or to create a full-fledged store with a comprehensive range of home textiles. I wanted people to walk in and find everything under one roof, but that required a lot of careful curation. Scale was another hurdle. My business was small at the start, and many manufacturers didn’t want to take my orders because my quantities were too low. I still remember going from mill to mill with my mother, trying to convince suppliers to trust me. Thankfully, a few did, and I still work with some of them to this day. Those early struggles shaped how I treat my own customers now. I never turn down an order, no matter how small, because I know what it feels like to be starting out. At the same time, I had to juggle production, retail, and curation all at once. With limited experience, it was a steep learning curve. I was fortunate to have talented operators who could bring my creative ideas to life, but retail and merchandising were areas I had to learn from scratch.
Perhaps the biggest challenge was building a homegrown brand identity. I wanted Cozy Linen to represent more than just products, I wanted people to feel something when they entered the store. I wanted them to walk in and think, “I need to take this home.” That emotional connection became our brand’s essence.
You pay special attention to fabric quality, like thread count and GSM. Why is this level of detail so important to you?
Details like thread count or GSM are not just technicalities, they define how a product feels and performs. For me, it’s never been about creating something that just looks beautiful on display. It must feel beautiful too, soft, durable, and comfortable enough to last years. When a customer buys from Cozy Linen, they’re not just purchasing an item; they’re investing in comfort and quality. Paying attention to detail ensures that we’re delivering something that lives up to that promise. We also take time to educate our clients about these technical aspects because they can be quite confusing or even misleading if misunderstood. I want customers to know exactly what they’re buying, the difference between a 300-thread count and a 600-thread count, or how GSM affects the texture of a towel. Knowledge helps them appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into every piece.
Cozy Linen products often include Sri Lankan touches like beeralu lace and batik. Why is it important for you to blend heritage with modern living?
Blending heritage with modern living is my way of keeping our culture alive, but in a way that feels relevant to today’s homes. Traditional crafts like beeralu lace and batik hold deep history, artistry, and identity. Sometimes, we get so influenced by what’s trending globally that we forget how much beauty exists right here in Sri Lanka. For me, it’s about finding that balance. For example, we often use delicate beeralu lace trims on pillowcases and duvet covers, which gives a classic charm to otherwise contemporary designs. Those subtle details elevate a product from ordinary to extraordinary. I firmly believe that our heritage should be celebrated, preserved, and shared with the world. Many of our customers, both locals and tourists, see Cozy Linen as a way to take a piece of Sri Lanka home with them. Our products become more than home accessories; they’re cultural keepsakes, carrying both beauty and meaning.
You are not only an entrepreneur but also a wife and mother. How do you balance business responsibilities with family life?
Like every working mother, balance is something I’m constantly striving for. Running a business and managing a family both require commitment, care, and a lot of energy. My day usually starts with my children’s routines, making sure their mornings run smoothly before heading to work. Once I’m at the store, my full attention shifts to the business. But since it’s my own, it’s hard to completely separate work and home; they often overlap. When I return home in the evening, I try to switch gears entirely and focus on my family. It’s not always easy, there are plenty of trial-and-error moments! But over time, I’ve learned to stay organised with small systems, like keeping a daily to-do list and trying to tick off as much as I can. It keeps me grounded.
Most importantly, I’m incredibly lucky to have a supportive team at Cozy Linen. They are the backbone of the business, hardworking, passionate, and dependable. Their support gives me the space to be present at home when I need to be. Balance, to me, isn’t about perfection; it’s about harmony and teamwork.
Your store caters to both homes and the hospitality industry. How do you approach these two markets?
At Cozy Linen, we’ve always believed that your home should be your sanctuary, a place where you feel completely relaxed and at ease. Every product we offer, from bed linen to bath towels, is designed to bring comfort and joy into daily living. For homeowners, we create collections that reflect different personalities and aesthetics, whether classic, contemporary, or modern minimalism. Our goal is to help customers create spaces that truly feel like them. For hotels and resorts, our focus shifts slightly to durability and performance, without compromising on elegance. We supply high-quality linens that meet international standards, often with bespoke touches like monogrammed initials or unique trims. Ultimately, whether for a private home or a luxury resort, our philosophy remains the same, to combine beauty, quality, and comfort in everything we do.
Do you often travel to get inspired, and how do those experiences influence your designs?
Absolutely, travel is one of my biggest sources of inspiration! Whether I’m in Sri Lanka or abroad, I’m always observing textures, colours, and patterns that could be translated into home designs. Inspiration can come from anywhere, a wall mural, a traditional sari border, or even the colours of the sky at sunset. I take photographs, sketch ideas, and discuss them with my design team. Those impressions often evolve into new prints, embroideries, or fabric palettes for our collections. Travel keeps the creative process alive. It opens your mind, allows you to see connections between cultures, and constantly reminds you that beauty can be found in the smallest of details.
Finally, what advice would you give to young women in Sri Lanka dreaming of starting their own businesses?
To every young woman out there, you can do it! Believe in yourself and your vision. There will be moments of doubt, mistakes, and setbacks, but those are all part of the journey. I’ve made wrong decisions too, but instead of letting them hold me back, I treated each one as a learning experience. Surround yourself with people who encourage and challenge you. Keep learning, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Every challenge is a lesson, not a failure. Most importantly, trust your creativity. Your ideas are powerful, and your unique perspective matters. If you have the passion and the perseverance, there’s no dream too big.
Naushaly de Livera’s journey is a testament to what happens when creativity meets conviction. From humble beginnings in a garment factory to building one of Sri Lanka’s most beloved lifestyle brands, she has woven comfort, craftsmanship, and culture into every thread of Cozy Linen. Today, her story continues to inspire countless women; a reminder that elegance lies not just in what we create, but in the courage to begin.
