Joanne Jeyes

Hi, I’m Jo. Design has always been part of my life. I started out writing for women’s magazines, diving into interiors and exploring how we live in and shape our homes. My first job at a DIY magazine lit the spark properly – I even rag-rolled walls in the ’90s and once covered a set wall in parcel paper with a stencilled fleur-de-lys. It stayed up for the shoot, thankfully. Even back then I was drawn to reusing and reimagining materials rather than just buying new.

What really inspires me is architecture. I’ve spent years staring at buildings, studying how they work, and thinking about how people move through them. Alongside that, decorating different homes of my own has given me the chance to experiment, adapt, and see first-hand how design changes the way we live.

One of my favourite projects was the WW2 Nissen hut I turned into a home. It was quirky, challenging, and full of lessons about balancing practicality with personality. It showed me how much joy there is in creating a space that tells a story. You can see more on this over on my Instagram highlights. 

I’ve just moved to a 1970s faux Tudor house. It’s very different to the Nissen hut and right now it’s at the very beginning of its update. I hadn’t been planning to buy something from that era – we were originally looking for an older property – but this house caught us straight away. I’m excited about the challenge of shaping it into a family home that’s comfortable, practical, and future-proof.

For several years I worked under the name Crocus Interior Design, and some of my client reviews still refer to that. The business has since evolved into Joanne Jeyes Interiors, but my approach has stayed the same: thoughtful, creative design with accessibility and inclusivity at its heart.

My journey into accessible design is personal. As a parent to a young man with additional needs, and as someone who is neurodivergent myself, I know how much our surroundings affect our daily lives. Small changes make a huge difference, and that’s what drives me to create homes that work beautifully for all kinds of bodies and brains.

When I cared for my mum during her dementia, I saw how the design of a home can either support or frustrate someone living with cognitive changes. That experience is why I now focus on dementia-friendly design, helping families make their homes safe, supportive, and still full of life.

What I love most is hearing people’s stories. Every home has one, and listening to clients talk about their lives is what sparks the ideas for me. A home should feel like it belongs to you, not to a trend or a showroom.

When I’m not designing, I’m usually rummaging around antique markets for treasures or heading to the theatre – I love musical theatre, whether it’s in the West End or a local production.

For me, design is about creativity, people, and storytelling. I’d love to help you tell your home’s story.

Jo