Soulful Spaces for Your Story

Jessie Lane McLaughlin grew up in a small town in North Carolina, tagging along with her mama as she designed unique, glamorous, and inspiring spaces that never ceased to not only get people talking, but to bring them together. A dentist office that could double as a wedding venue? Why not?! At 12, she took on her first personal project, her bedroom. Instead of Backstreet Boy posters and butterflies, her vision was a Moroccan dream, and to this day she’s still a fan of that Waverly Fabric star motif bedspread and fleur-de-lis pillow.

Jessie attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While she majored in Music and Communication Studies, her dorm and apartment were her true creative outlets, punctuated with leopard, toile, and vintage finds.

Her passion for design followed her to the West Coast, after her young family relocated for her husband’s job. Through a long stint as a homeschool mom that included innumerable coats of paint to her Craigslist dining room table, Jessie finally had the epiphany (á la Cher from Clueless, “I like Josh!”) that interior design was her true calling. Her joy is making spaces warm, joyful, livable, and as unique as the people that inhabit them. She insists on spaces with soul. More than just an aesthetically pleasing configuration of furniture, soulful spaces speak to us, because they are designed with passion and conviction.

She believes that artful tension and resolution in a dynamic space—like in a good story—spark curiosity and create human connection. Jessie doesn’t take herself too seriously, and she’s not afraid of color. She believes in design that’s hospitable, that works for people, and that ultimately, brings them home. 

Design Coordinator: Lindsey Kemp

Missouri native, Lindsey Kemp, has always had a passion for storytelling. As a graduate of Greenville University, IL with a BA in Theatre and Biology, along with being inducted into Greenville’s Athletic Hall of Fame for softball, academics, and character, Lindsey headed out west to continue her acting journey in Hollywood. Once Jessie decided to go all in with her design business, Lindsey was the first full time hire. She brings with her many years of assisting experience for high level CEOs as well as a passion for bringing art and story in a space to life. It’s been a perfect fit as Lindsey helps to fill the executive functioning need within JLI. She’s hoping the next time she’s inducted into a hall of fame it’s for her distinguished logistic skills! Lindsey also has a love for real connection with people and enjoys encouraging both client and designer as they move through the creative design process. She is thrilled to be a part of JLI’s expanding business.