A well-designed home goes far beyond aesthetics. I believe the design needs to thoughtfully support the people who live there, rather than simply following current trends or focusing on how perfectly it photographs. At the heart of it great design is the seamless balance of functionality and beautiful spaces – where flow, natural light, colour, texture, and chosen furnishings work together to enhance everyday life. The most successful homes reflect the personalities, passions and lifestyles of their owners, creating spaces that feel both deeply personal and effortlessly inviting.
How do you create a home that feels calm, considered and effortless? For Jo Heaney, founder of Grace & Tiggy, it begins with intention.
Known for her understated, design-led approach to interiors, Jo creates spaces that feel as good as they look, layered, timeless and quietly cohesive. In this Made Possible by Rettie film, she shares her experience of managing two property sales alongside a growing interiors business, and why having the right support matters.
Q&A: Jo Heaney on interiors, lifestyle and moving well
- What defines a well-designed home?
- How do you balance style with practicality in the homes you design?
By intentionally designing a space to incorporate everyday items into the overall aesthetic. Selecting dual purpose furnishings, integrating decorative storage solutions and making thoughtful material choices, removes the struggle between using a room and loving how it looks! It is important to approach each design project with a focus on the people who live there. A home can be both highly functional and visually inspiring.
- How did moving home fit around your business?
Moving home is always a challenge no matter how organised or meticulous your planning is. What is it they say - moving house, starting a new job and getting married are often considered as three of the major life stressors! I suppose it came down to a willingness to priorities, flexibility and of course recognising that as much as I wanted to throw myself into renovating my new home, my business had to come first. I have been living in my current home for over 2 years now and it is still not finished.
- What difference does the right support make?
Without doubt this is key. Not just in terms of the support of family and friends but also the people I work with and for. Whether it is practical help with childcare, trusted tradespeople or simply having a network of people and clients who understand the realities of running a business and a home while being a solo parent. The right support allows me to step out of survival mode and focus on what needs to be done; creating thoughtful and beautiful homes for my clients.
A shared approach to considered living
There’s a natural alignment between Grace & Tiggy and Rettie: a belief that the best outcomes come from thoughtful guidance, strong relationships and attention to detail.
For Jo, that meant navigating two sales with confidence and ease - freeing up time to focus on her business and the spaces she creates.
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