Joy Lynskey of Jewel Toned Interiors On How To Design Office Spaces That People Love To Work In

As part of our series called “How To Design Office Spaces That People Love To Work In”, we had the pleasure of interviewing Joy Lynskey.

Joy Lynskey, Founder and CEO of Jewel Toned Interiors, brings twenty years of expertise in design, construction, and planning to her award-winning, women-owned Fort Lauderdale studio. Passionate about serving the underserved, she leads her team in creating inspiring spaces, fundraising for local nonprofits, and mentoring future leaders in the commercial real estate industry. In 2023, she made history as the first female president of the Construction Executives Association and has earned multiple honors, including Entrepreneur of Excellence and Star of the Year.

Thank you so much for joining us in this series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit more about you. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Actually, I started out as a Psychology major, and it was a college boyfriend who suggested the field to me. I have always been interested in how people operate, and interior design blends perfectly with that. I often say that Interior Design is the intersection of Math, Art, and Science!

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?

When I first started Jewel Toned Interiors (JTI), I was terrified. I questioned if I was really ready to lead a business, and at times, I wasn’t sure I even believed in myself. My husband did believe I could do it, though, long before I did, and that belief became the spark that kept me going. Over time, I realized that growth doesn’t come from having all the answers; it comes from leaping anyway. What began as fear has evolved into freedom, and the business I once doubted I could build has become a reflection of that transformation.

It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting and a lesson you learned from that?

A mistake I’ve made more than once is not trusting my gut. Every year, I get better at this. Early on, I second-guessed decisions, from hiring choices to making project directions, even which partnerships to pursue. But I’ve learned that people-pleasing isn’t authentic, and it often leads you away from what’s right for the business. The more I trust my instincts, the more clarity I find. It’s not about being certain; it’s about having the confidence to follow what feels true and to show up with authenticity and consistency.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Take the road less traveled, it’s rarely crowded” has played out many times in my life. When I left the safety of a paycheck to start JTI on a fold-up table in my guest room, it felt like diving into the deep end without knowing how to swim. That path came with challenges, loss, and countless lessons, but it’s also brought deep fulfillment and purpose. I founded JTI to create something different, and we’re often told that the way we operate is unlike other interior design firms — and I take that as a compliment.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Jaclyn — Without a doubt, it would be my business partner, Jaclyn, who joined JTI in 2016 and became a partner at the start of 2019. From day one, she approached her role with true ownership and leadership. Jaclyn has helped grow JTI through vision-casting, sales, and developing our team of Gems, and she continually challenges me and the team to think bigger. Her strengths beautifully complement my own, and she inspires me daily through her integrity, drive, and the way she leads both in business and in life.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?

Every project we work on helps people in some capacity. Housing affordability continues to be a challenge across the United States, especially here in South Florida, and we’re deeply involved in several workforce housing projects currently in development. We’re also in the schematic design phase of a project that serves adults with developmental disabilities, creating an environment built around dignity, comfort, and personalized care. This center offers family-style homes supported by a dedicated team of residential staff, nurses, and therapists, ensuring every individual receives the specialized attention and sense of belonging they deserve. For us, design isn’t just about creating beautiful spaces; it’s about creating spaces that make a tangible difference in people’s daily lives.

Thank you for that. Here is the main question of our discussion. What are your “Five Things You Should Do To Design Office Spaces That People Love To Work In” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

1. In this post-pandemic landscape, remember one key phrase: resimmercial. This long-term trend has reshaped how we think about corporate environments. Offices must now embody the warmth, comfort, and flexibility we crave at home. Because people often spend more of their waking hours in the workplace, that sense of ease and familiarity isn’t a luxury; it’s essential to overall wellbeing and retention.

2. Bring the outside in. Humans are innately connected to nature, and incorporating biophilic elements into the workplace helps ground people, reducing stress while increasing creativity and productivity. Even small touches such as natural light, greenery, and organic textures can transform the energy of a space.

3. Don’t be afraid of color. When used intentionally, color can reinforce a company’s brand identity and set the tone for how people feel in a space. From energizing collaborative zones with vibrant tones to using calming palettes in focus areas, color is one of the most powerful tools in workplace design.

4. Lighting is everything. It’s one of the most overlooked but impactful aspects of an intentional workplace. Use it strategically to enhance the employee experience. Spaces dedicated to focus work benefit from bright, even lighting, while areas for collaboration or social connection thrive under softer, more ambient light. The right lighting supports both productivity and mood.

5. Design for everyone. Today’s workplaces must consider the needs of the entire workforce, including those who are neurodiverse or have sensory sensitivities. The most successful designs start with listening. Conduct an anonymous survey or feedback session to uncover what truly supports your team rather than relying on assumptions from leadership. Great design is inclusive design.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

If I could start a movement, it would center on designing with humanity and purpose at the core. I believe great design must cultivate dignity, belonging, and wellness for every person who experiences a space, because creativity is how we solve problems as a society. When we lead with empathy and intention, design becomes a tool for resilience. This kind of transformation belongs in every community, not just luxury spaces. Ultimately, I want to inspire a global shift toward design and creativity as forces for social good, where beauty and purpose coexist in all the spaces we encounter.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this, especially if we tag them :-)

I would have to pick Sara Blakely. I have always loved how she shows up unapologetically herself, and even though it may feel terrifying at the moment, she just goes for it! I love the visual image of the bright ass red SPANX in a sea of bland packaging. She continues to be a light to female entrepreneurs, sharing authentic stories and inspiration.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

My LinkedIn newsletter called Cultivating Creativity, is a great place to start! JTI is active on Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.

Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational!