Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Whitley.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and for the past fifteen years I’ve called Athens home. I’m a mom of two amazing kids who keep life joyful and full of energy. My path to design wasn’t linear—I vacillated between pursuing art and design and choosing a steady business career. In the end, I graduated in accounting and finance, launched a career as a CPA, and later returned to what really inspired me: art and design.
During a period at home with my kids—and through the COVID-19 pause—I began painting again: abstracts, landscapes, and portraits of my children. What started as a personal outlet slowly became the bridge into design. I realized I could translate that same sense of composition, emotion, and storytelling from canvas into physical space. Gradually, designing my own homes and small projects opened doors to collaborations and new opportunities.
What began as a handful of personal projects evolved into Jessica Whitley Studio, where I now focus on curating distinctive, meaningful spaces that feel elevated yet approachable. I fell in love with the storytelling side of design—how spaces shape emotion, memory, and connection—while being deeply functional and intentional for those who live in them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not — but I’ve found that the bumps are what give you character. Transitioning from finance to building a creative studio from the ground up came with plenty of uncertainty. There were seasons when it felt like a hundred projects hit deadlines at once, and I had to learn, sometimes the hard way, how to juggle creativity, clients, and logistics without losing the joy of the work itself.
Because of my finance and accounting background, I also carry a business lens into design. It makes the puzzle more complex—but it also makes the company more viable long-term. I believe in ensuring that every beautiful idea is backed by structure and strategy.
More recently, navigating single parenthood and co-parenting while continuing to grow my business has been its own balancing act. Through each challenge, I’ve learned to trust the process, rely on my team, and remind myself that the best work often comes from the moments when you’re stretched just enough to grow.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work spans private residences, boutique commercial projects, and creative spaces—anything that has a story to tell. I approach design as a mix of intuition and discipline: the goal is creating environments that are beautiful, layered, and emotionally resonant while remaining grounded in how people genuinely live and interact.
I’m probably best known for Rivet House, a project that transformed a historic denim mill in Athens into a modern gathering place. I’m especially proud of it because it captures what I love most about design—giving new life to something with history, purpose, and soul.
What sets me apart is the balance of creativity and business acumen. My left and right brain are always in conversation: I have the analytical mindset of a CPA and the instincts of an artist. That dual perspective allows me to approach a project holistically—from big-picture storytelling to the fine details that make a space work beautifully in everyday life.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people are surprised to learn how much I love cooking! While I’m often out trying new restaurants or grabbing take-out on a busy week, there are days when I’ll spend hours in the kitchen experimenting—sometimes with cherished family recipes, other times just seeing what I can create from what’s in the fridge. Cooking is another form of creativity for me—slower, more tactile, and just as satisfying as completing a great project.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jessicawhitleystudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicawhitleystudio/
Image Credits
Nicole Bridwell
Mali Azima
